6 days Ago By Daily Republic Staff
FAIRFIELD — After more than four decades, Jane Doe No. 5 from 1983 has been identified as Patricia Ann Hertel of Tracy. On May 14, 1983, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Solano County Coroner’s Office, responded to the south shore of Simmons Island near the Rich Duck Club in Benicia after partial skeletal remains were discovered.
The remains were determined to be human and were initially believed to be that of an adult male. Despite continued investigation into the identity and circumstances surrounding the death, the decedent was ultimately laid to rest without being identified. In July 2023, as part of the Doe Cold Case Project, the body was exhumed and the case reopened.
New DNA testing revealed that the remains were female and the decedent was reclassified. After 41 years, using advanced DNA testing, forensic genetic genealogy and forensic odontology, the decedent was positively identified. Hertel, 40, was last known to be aboard a fishing vessel in Suisun Bay on Aug.
8, 1981. The boat, carrying Hertel and her boyfriend, failed to return after bad weather hit that evening. A search was launched.
The body of Hertel’s boyfriend was recovered several days later, and the vessel was found sunk in Suisun Bay. Hertel was never located and was presumed drowned. Hertel’s missing persons case remains active, as only partial skeletal remains were recovered.
The Solano County Coroner’s Office acknowledged Othram Inc., Forensic Odontologist Dr. Duane Spencer and the California Department of Justice for their assistance in identifying Hertel.
The department also extends its heartfelt gratitude to Hertel's family for their support during the investigation, and offered deepest condolences for their loss. "We hope this identification brings them a measure of closure," the department said in a press release. The Coroner’s Office reminds the public if they come across skeletal remains and are unsure whether they are human or animal, to not move or remove them.
Instead, contact your local law enforcement agency so the discovery can be properly investigated..
