California DOJ assisted Riverside Police Department with investigation

“We very much appreciate the combined efforts of those in forensics who work with detectives in solving cold cases such as this one.  It provides answers and leads to identifying victims and aids in the search for a suspect leading to criminal justice.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

RIVERSIDE, CA – On August 7, 2024, the Riverside Police Department announced the arrest of a woman suspected in the death of a newborn found discarded in a dumpster in Riverside 37 years ago on October 13, 1987. A man rummaging for recyclables found the baby. The newborn girl’s death was ruled a homicide by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office. Riverside Police Homicide detectives worked diligently on this case, but all leads were exhausted and a suspect was not identified.

In 2020, the investigation was reopened. Homicide cold case detectives worked closely with their partners on the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Team and were able to identify the baby’s mother through DNA as 55-year-old Melissa Jean Allen Avila. Avila was 19 at the time of the baby’s death and detectives have no reason to believe the baby’s father had any criminal culpability in the murder.

Detectives began searching for Avila and with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, Avila was located in Shelby, North Carolina. She was arrested for murder and extradited back to Riverside County to face prosecution.

The Homicide Cold Case Unit was assisted by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, California Department of Justice Missing Persons DNA Program, and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina.

An essential partner in this investigation was Season of Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial assistance for investigative agencies and families to help solve cold cases through grant funding for advanced DNA analysis solutions and forensic genealogy. This funding allowed for DNA analysis to be conducted by Othram, Inc., a private lab that specializes in DNA technology.

“Thanks to the persistent efforts of our investigators and partners, this victim now has an identity, bringing resolution to the case,” stated Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez. “We will remain dedicated to seeking justice for homicide victims and ensuring their families find closure.”