The Sacramento Police Department has identified the victim in a decades-old homicide case, bringing long-awaited answers to a 34-year-old investigation. The woman, found deceased in 1991, has now been identified as 40-year-old Sheila Osborne. At the time of her death, Osborne had recently arrived in the Sacramento area from Johnson City, Tennessee.

On April 10, 1991, officers responded to a report of a deceased person in a field near the 2000 Block North B Street. Upon arrival, officers located the skeletal remains of a woman. Despite efforts by investigators, her identity remained unknown for many years. In 2008, a DNA profile was developed and entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), but no matches were found.

Years later, the case was revisited, and evidence was submitted to Othram Inc. for advanced DNA testing. Funding for this testing was provided through the Roads to Justice (RTJ) program. The results enabled the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit to perform investigative genealogy that led to a possible identification. Subsequent standard familial DNA comparison confirmed the victim’s identity. The Sacramento Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Osborne’s death. 

The Sacramento Police Department encourages any witnesses with information regarding this investigation to contact the dispatch center at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.  Anonymous tips can also be submitted using the free “P3 Tips” smartphone app.