New Jersey Students Solve 35-Year Mystery: The Girl Known as “Becca Doe” Finally Has a Name
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
MAHWAH, NJ – For 35 years, she was a ghost in the system. Found dead in an Albuquerque motel in 1991, the 18-year-old girl known only as “Becca Doe” remained unidentified for decades—until a team of students at Ramapo College stepped in to restore her identity.
In a breathtaking breakthrough for forensic science, the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Center has successfully identified the teen as Becca Mallekoote.
The Cold Case: 1991 to 2026
In 1991, Becca was found in a Super 8 motel in New Mexico. Despite having photos in her possession, neither the FBI nor local police could determine her last name. Even her traveling companion only knew her as “Becca.”
The case sat cold until 2025, when Albuquerque authorities turned to the IGG Center in Mahwah, New Jersey.
How Ramapo College Students Cracked the Case
The IGG Center—a pioneering certificate program—doesn’t just teach theory; it solves real-world crimes. Using a sophisticated pipeline of DNA technology, the students and staff worked around the clock:
-
DNA Extraction: Genomic sequencing was performed by Genologue in Georgia.
-
Profiling: Parabon Nanolabs developed a genetic profile from the extraction.
-
The “Hit”: In January 2026, the profile was uploaded to genealogy databases.
-
The Identification: Within just a few days, the Ramapo team identified Becca Mallekoote as the primary candidate.
A Bittersweet Birthday Resolution
Detectives eventually tracked down Mallekoote’s half-brother and stepfather in California. Her stepfather confirmed she had been missing since 1991.
In a poignant twist of fate, the official DNA confirmation came on March 4, 2026—the day that would have been Becca’s 53rd birthday.
“After 35 years, Becca’s name has been restored,” the Albuquerque Police Department stated. “We hope this brings her family long-awaited peace.”
A Hub for Justice in Bergen County
The Ramapo College IGG Center has become a powerhouse for cold case resolutions. According to Assistant Director Cairenn Binder, the program has already solved 43 cases, including murders and sexual assaults, since its inception just three years ago.
“We are incredibly proud of our students,” Binder said. “They provide research around the clock from locations all over the world to bring resolution to families.”
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
#news #follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories
Tags: #ColdCase #GeneticGenealogy #RamapoCollege #TrueCrime #NewJerseyNews #ForensicScience #JusticeServed
