“It is just a matter of time before cold cases no longer exist, given the advances in science and technology, and the people who dedicate countless hours to find answers. This is a tremendous service to families and detectives in search of answers.”
– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
HUMBOLDT COUNTY – On May 6, 2025, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office announced the identity of a woman whose skeletal remains were found in Humboldt County in 1987.
The Background:
On August 3, 1987, Nickolas Medin reported his wife, Kay Josephine Medin, as a missing person to the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office. Nickolas had returned from a business trip and found his wife gone. The Medin property was searched, and friends and family were contacted. Kay had no known serious medical issues. She was employed as a teacher and her boss reported Kay had been in good spirits. Kay’s purse and personal property were found at her home. The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office listed her disappearance as suspicious.
On November 25, 1987, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received, by U.S. mail, a package that contained skeletal remains and an anonymous letter. The letter gave directions leading to the discovery of more human remains at a location near Ammon Ridge Road in Eastern Humboldt County. These remains were later identified as Kay using dental records. A death certificate was issued for Kay in 1988, and she remained listed as a missing person as there was not a complete body recovery.
On February 16, 1993, the Fortuna Police Department contacted the HCSO to report that a man had found a partial human skull on the beach near Trinidad Head. The man later turned the remains into the Fortuna Police Department.
A DNA sample was obtained from the skull and entered into both the California Missing Person DNA Database and the National Unidentified Person DNA index. The DNA profile was searched against profiles from both missing persons and other human remains in the Combined DNA Index System. No match was ever made.
In 2024, the HCSO partnered with private lab Othram Inc. A DNA extract from the remains was sent to Othram. Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown remains. Once the profile was built, Othram’s in-house genealogy team used forensic genetic genealogy to produce investigative leads.
In September 2024, the HCSO received a report from Othram indicating the skull may be that of Kay Medin. The report included genetic relatives, including a possible daughter. Investigators were able to locate the daughter and obtained a DNA sample from her. The California Department of Justice later compared the two DNA samples and confirmed the skull belonged to Kay Medin. Nickolas Medin died in August 2018.
The HCSO extended its appreciation to Othram and the California Department of Justice DNA lab for assisting in solving this case. This case is still open and considered a cold homicide.
