By SDCN Staff
Riverside, CA–On January 19, 1974, the partially buried body of an unidentified woman was discovered in an open desert area of Desert Hot Springs.
Riverside County investigators, using advanced technology, have identified the woman as 19 year-old Rebecca Jean McMahan, also known as Becky McMahan, and Becky Solis. Authorities are seeking the public’s help for information that could help shed light on the decades-old cold case.
Despite extensive efforts throughout the years, including fingerprint and dental record comparisons, investigators were unable to identify the victim, and no new investigative leads were developed.
In 2024, the Regional Cold Case Homicide Team–comprised of members of the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner Department, and the Riverside Police Department– re-examined the case using advances in forensic science, including forensic investigative genetic genealogy. Bone samples from the victim were collected by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office and sent to OTHRAM Labs, a private forensic laboratory, for DNA analysis. The victim’s DNA profile was later developed and uploaded to a direct-to-consumer ancestry database. A genealogist assigned to the case identified a potential match to a close relative in California. Investigators contacted the family member, who voluntarily provided DNA samples for comparison. The DNA comparison, along with confirmation from the California Department of Justice—Missing and Unidentified Persons Section, allowed the Regional Cold Case Homicide Team to identify the victim as 19 year-old Rebecca Jean McMahan, also known as Becky McMahan, and Becky Solis.
McMahan was reported missing by her family on July 3, 1973. She was last seen on June 11, 1973, in Bell Gardens, CA, and had mentioned traveling to Palm Springs for vacation. From 1969 to 1973, she was known to have resided in Bellingham, Washington, Bell, Cudahy, and Commerce, CA. She was described as a White female, with long brown hair, hazel eyes, between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 4 inches in height, and 120 to 145 pounds. She has a tattoo of “SS” on her ankle and a butterfly tattoo on the right side of her chest.
Investigators are urging anyone with information about McMahan or the circumstances surrounding her death to contact the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team. Even information that may seem insignificant could prove helpful. Tips can be provided to Investigator Ebony Caviness at (951) 955-0257 or by email at coldcaseunit@rivcoda.org.
Investigators encourage individuals to consider submitting their DNA to reputable ancestry databases, such as Family Tree DNA and GedMatch, as it can play a vital role in identifying unknown victims and advancing cold case investigations. Voluntary DNA submissions help establish familial connections and bring long-awaited answers to families.
