Forensic Genealogy Solves 1992 Houston Murder Mystery of Joann Zamora

Uncovering a Cold Case with Forensic Genealogy

• 💡 A stay-at-home mom, Katie Thomas, uses her skills as a forensic genealogologist to build family trees and identify missing persons and potential killers.
• 🎯 Her latest case involved identifying Joann Zamora, a Jane Doe from 1992, bringing closure to her daughter, Spencer Zamora Graham, after 33 years.

Moxy Forensic Investigations and Its Methods

• 🔬 Moxy Forensic Investigations is a nonprofit that employs forensic genetic genealogy to identify unidentified bodies, including murder victims.
• 🤝 The organization partners with law enforcement, using DNA samples processed by labs and compared against the Jed Match database.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A team of over 40 volunteers nationwide, including retired military and stay-at-home parents, contribute to solving cases from their homes.

The Role of Derek Lavaser

• 💰 Derek Lavaser, a Big Brother winner and TV personality, invested in Moxy's work by paying the $5,000 lab bill for the Joann Zamora case.
• 🤝 He further supported the investigation by loaning out two genetic genealogists from his company, Break Investigative Group, who have since become permanent Moxy volunteers.

Case Resolution and Reward

• ✅ Moxy has achieved over 15 case solves since June 2022, with Joann Zamora's case being one of them.
• ❓ Spencer Zamora Graham now knows her mother was a murder victim, not someone who disappeared voluntarily.
• 📣 Derek Lavaser has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Joann Zamora's murder.