The remains of a woman discovered over a decade ago, partially submerged in a California river due to drought-induced low water levels, have been identified as Anita Kathleen Ranker. Investigators believe her death, which occurred before 2000, may have been a homicide, and a person of interest has been identified.
The discovery was made on October 9, 2015, near the Parrott’s Ferry Bridge in the Stanislaus River. The historically low water levels exposed the remains, which were then classified as "Parrotts Ferry Jane Doe." Despite extensive efforts, her identity remained a mystery, and the case eventually went cold.
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office reopened the case in 2020 with its Cold Case Team, utilizing advanced forensic technology. Obtaining usable DNA from the deteriorated remains proved challenging, with Resolve Forensics in Utah working for over three years before Astrea Forensics in California successfully extracted suitable DNA in June 2026.
Genetic genealogy work by Identifiers International led investigators to Ranker’s relatives, who provided DNA samples. This, along with testing by the California Department of Justice, confirmed her identity. Ranker was born in Santa Clara County in 1969 and was believed to be living in or around Murphys, California, at the time of her disappearance. Authorities noted that she was never reported missing.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death is ongoing. The effort to identify Ranker cost over $50,000, funded by donations to the Calaveras Cold Case Task Force, a nonprofit established to support such forensic investigations.
"The identification of Parrotts Ferry Jane Doe is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the Cold Case Task Force and the forensic partners who continued working toward the goal of restoring Anita Ranker’s name," said Sheriff Rachelle Whiting. The identification serves as a reminder of how drought conditions in the Western United States have led to the uncovering of previously hidden remains.