Female Remains Identified
When the remains were first discovered the drawing below was prepared by a forensic anthropologist to assist efforts to identify the victim.
The female remains found near the southbound lanes of the Interstate 5 freeway on January 12, 2004 have been identified as those of Miriam Roselinda Orta-Gomez, born May 2, 1982 in Mexico. The date of death could not be determined because of the advanced degree of decomposition, but it is believed she died sometime between September and November, 2003. An examination by the medical examiner determined the cause of death to be homicidal violence by an undetermined means.
The family of Miriam Roselinda Orta-Gomez in Mexico had been seeking to find her. In early 2016, the family's search for Miriam came to the attention of cold case detectives in the Marion County Sheriff's Office. After investigating the family's missing person complaint, evidence was obtained to confirm the identity of the remains.
Current information indicates that Miriam left a son with her family in Mexico in 1999 and arrived in the State of Washington. She apparently lived in Washington with addresses in the Omak and Bothell areas. It also appears that she married Luis Alejandro Nunez-Garcia in Washington. Her last known address was in Lynnwood, where she lived with her husband, who was 28 years old at the time. In June 2003, she gave birth to her a second son in the Bothell area.
Anyone who believes they may have information about Miriam Roselinda Orta-Gomez and her life in Washington before her death is asked to contact the Cold Case Squad at (503) 540-8006 or by using the
Cold Case Squad tip form.
