Her body was only partially buried when discovered.
The body of a girl once dubbed ‘Little Miss Nobody’ has finally been identified some 60 years after it was found in Arizona, USA.
Her name has been revealed as Sharon Lee Gallegos, from New Mexico.
On 31 July 1960, police discovered the corpse of a young girl aged between three and five in Congress, Arizona. The body had been burnt two weeks before it was discovered, which ultimately led to the case being ruled as a homicide with an “undetermined yet suspicious” cause of death.
Adult shoe prints were identified near the burial site that saw the unidentified girl partially buried in Sand Wash Creek.
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office is holding a press conference on Tuesday to give the name of "Little Miss Nobody" after 62 years. https://t.co/X2OtjjhEIQ #abc15 pic.twitter.com/xCv0bA1Gz8
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) March 13, 2022
In 2018, investigators were stumped with the ‘Little Miss Nobody’ case. There were no obvious injuries and decomposition had only made the task more difficult.
However, after raising $4,000 (approximately €3,650), investigators were able to send DNA samples to a host of organisations, including Othram Inc, a company specialising in forensic genealogy – and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Speaking to FOX News, forensic science expert Dr David Fruchtman said there have been “incredible advances” in forensic technology that allows “technicians to extract DNA from bones and teeth.”
He added: “You know, this little girl was somebody’s daughter, was somebody’s sister. This little girl mattered to somebody and it’s wonderful to see this technology used in this way to close and answer these questions from way back.”
A public statement from the Sheriff’s office ahead of confirmation of Sharon Lee Gallegos’ identity read: “The unidentified little girl who won the hearts of Yavapai County in 1960 and who occupied the minds and time of YCSO and partner for 62 years will now rightfully be given her name back and will no longer need to be referred to as Little Miss Nobody.”
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