Coroner IDs decedent from 2011 cold case
The Kern County coroner’s office on Thursday released the name of a woman whose body was found in an Arvin grape vineyard nearly 13 years ago and was identified by using DNA technology.
Ada Beth Kaplan, 64, of Canyon Country was found at 7:05 a.m. March 29, 2011. It is still unknown how she died but the Kern County Sheriff’s Office deemed her death a homicide. Her body was found in a vineyard on Sebastian Road, just east of Wheeler Ridge Road.
Kaplan’s family, who lives on the East Coast, was notified; a missing person’s report had not been filed. Her family was asked to provide DNA samples to help verify the DNA sample detectives retrieved.
In 2011, detectives unsuccessfully tried to identify the body using missing persons records and fingerprints. The coroner submitted DNA specimens to the Department of Justice and a DNA profile was created.
In 2020, the coroner’s office worked with the DNA Doe Project and successfully identified an unrelated cold case, so they used the same process to identify the Jane Doe from 2011.
The DNA Doe Project started building a family tree based on the DNA profile made in 2011 and in 2023, and identified two possible family members who provided DNA samples, which helped lead to Kaplan’s identification.
KCSO followed the investigation and interviewed the family, and concluded it was Kaplan. Kaplan’s case is still under investigation. The location of her death is still unknown and there is no suspect.
Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies found a dead body
with an apparent gunshot wound in a car around
4 p.m. Wednesday near Enos Lane and Stockdale Highway.
According to KCSO, the man was in his 20s and the car was pulled to the side of the road. Lori Meza, the public information officer for KCSO, said there was damage to the car from a gunshot.
Due to the suspicious nature, homicide detectives are investigating. The coroner’s office has not yet ruled on the nature of the death.
The Bakersfield Police Department is looking for a
12-year-old girl named Nevaeh Carlynn Holquin who ran away Wednesday and was last seen on North McDonald Way.
The agency said Holquin is considered at-risk because this is her first time running away. Holquin is described as a Hispanic girl about 5 feet, 3 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
Police ask that anyone with information call 661-327-7111.
A runaway teenager was last seen Wednesday on
Duke Drive, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.
BPD is searching for Richie Guerrero, 14, and he is considered at-risk because he does not have a history of running away. Guerrero is described as a Hispanic boy, weighing about 130 pounds, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes.
Police ask that anyone with information call 661-327-7111.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public
about a phone scam where someone is claiming they are a KCSO lieutenant in the Civil Processing unit asking for electronic payments for missing jury duty.
KCSO said this is not the Sheriff’s Office calling and it would not request payment electronically or via gift cards. It will not ask for money, banking or payment information or accept payment for tickets, fees or fines.
The agency said it has received reports in the past that people have gotten calls about false arrest warrants.
KSCO asks that the public continue to report scam calls and if a person suspects the call they are receiving is a scam, the agency said that person can request a name, employee identification number, call back number or reference number to check the validity of the request.
You can report scam calls to KCSO at 661-861-3110 or your local law enforcement agency.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man
who was last contacted around 4 p.m. Dec. 6.
Dale Christopher is described as a white man who is 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighs about 170 pounds and has brown eyes and brown hair.
KCSO asks that anyone with information call 661861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.