Public Safety
“He Killed All of Us”: Riverside County Cold Case Identified Through DNA After 27 Years
“He destroyed my family,” the victim’s daughter tearfully said. “He didn’t kill only one person. He killed all of us.”
Questions finally answered 27 years in the making.
“On January 27, 1996, an unidentifiable female homicide victim was discovered on the side of Highway 60,” Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said. “The exact location was somewhere east of Gilman Springs Road between Moreno Valley and Beaumont, California.”
The area is known as the Badlands for its rugged, barren terrain and lack of frontage roads.
The few clues they had of who this Jane Doe was were some pieces of jewelry, including a gold religious pendant.
But now, she has a name.
“The Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team was able to identify the homicide victim, as Miss Juana Rosas-Zagal from the Los Angeles area,” Hestrin continued. “She would have been 41 years old at the time of her death 27 years ago.”
So, what was the missing link they’ve been waiting to find for decades?
The answer came from multiple DNA screening technologies, including Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy that tracks down familial ties.
This led investigators to her four daughters who nearly lost hope of ever knowing what happened to their mother.
“All of this is so difficult, but at the same time, I really want to know who killed my mother,” Juana’s second daughter shared. “I really, really wish he can be in prison for killing my mother.”
The case remains unsolved but as they continue to look for new information, they hope this major step will bring about new leads.
Investigators didn’t disclose how she died but did say robbery did not appear to be a motive.
They do believe there are still friends, neighbors or colleagues of Juana that may be able to provide more answers.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigative team at (951) 955-0740 or (951) 955-2777.
By: Carmela Karcher
June 26, 2023
Latest Instagram Posts
Pregame update from Tim O’Brien ahead of tonight’s preseason matchup between the Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Ontario Reign. Tim has the latest from Acrisure Arena as the Firebirds get set for tonight’s game. UPDATE: Firebirds #CVFirebirds #CoachellaValleyFirebirds #OntarioReign #AHL #Hockey PalmSprings CoachellaValley
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Xzavier Hernandez with the dot towards the back of the endzone, 2) Jesse Rodriguez with the 50 plus yard TD throw, 3) Trace Vargas with the diving TD, 4) Ryan Rumsey with the screen pass TD, making guys miss, or 5) Moyses Aguilar with the pick #fyp #fnl2026 #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball #fridaynightlights
Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
⚡️ TOP STORY: A man is recovering after he was struck by lightning. Firefighters battled a brush fire along Snow Creek Road, while another lightning strike in Chino Canyon sent a man to the hospital. If you hear thunder, stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble. #PalmSprings #Lightning #FireSafety
🚨 Chasing that year-round “summer glow”? A social media tanning trend involving the unapproved peptide melanotan-2 is raising serious safety concerns. Dermatologists say safer sunless tanning options are available. ☀️ #YourHealthToday #SkinHealth #Melanotan2 #TanningSafety
Palm Springs firefighters responded Thursday to a report of a person struck by lightning in the Chino Canyon area. The person was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Firefighters also responded to a palm tree fire in Chino Canyon that officials say was caused by an apparent lightning strike. NBC Palm Springs News Director David Reese is in the neighborhood tonight knocking on doors and trying to learn more about what happened. Did you see the lightning strike? Did you hear or see anything unusual? Do you know who was struck or have information that could help us understand what happened? We’d like to hear from you. Send us a DM here or contact NBC Palm Springs if you witnessed the incident or have information to share. #PalmSprings #ChinoCanyon #Lightning #PalmSpringsNews #NBCPalmSprings CoachellaValley BreakingNews
Fred Roggin’s response? Show us the receipts! #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
A $557k budget shortfall … so why do they need $11.3 million in new taxes? Are you voting Yes or No on Measure P? #therogginreport #measurep #localnews #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
School board trustee wears “FAFO” shirt to court deposition. Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇🏽 #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
Estevan Figueroa of King’s Club Barbershop is giving back across the Coachella Valley — one haircut at a time. He and his team recently gave dozens of free haircuts to kids at the Boys and Girls Club in Cathedral City. Figueroa also provides clothing, essentials and encouragement to people in need. Inspired by lessons from his father, he’s now started a nonprofit to help even more people in the community. “Look good, feel good.” @barbercipactli Read the full story at NBCPalmSprings.com.