10/21/2026
Our team continues to follow new leads in our efforts to restore a name to La Paz County, Arizona 2006 Jane Doe.
First, we are incredibly grateful for the updated recon provided by NCMEC.
Recent investigative genetic genealogy research has revealed DNA matches and family connections pointing toward two geographic regions of interest: Guatemala and Mexico.
Our strongest geographic area of interest in Guatemala is Huehuetenango, particularly the municipality of Aguacatán.
Surnames appearing in relevant DNA matches and associated family lines include:
Pastor • Vicente • Diaz • Vela • Pacheco • Arango • Soto • Mazariega • Villagran • Maldonado.
Relevant DNA matches have also revealed family connections to Colotlán, Jalisco, and Zacatecas, Mexico.
Surnames appearing in these family lines include:
Salazar • Elizalde/Lizarde • Mejia • Sandoval • Saucedo • Lozano • Solano
🧬 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
These findings are helping our investigators narrow their research and explore possible ancestral connections.
It is important to understand that these surnames are investigative leads, not confirmed surnames of the unidentified individual or their immediate family.
The connections to Guatemala and Mexico may reflect different ancestral branches, historical migration, or more distant family relationships.
đź’ś HOW YOU CAN HELP
Do you have family roots in any of these communities? Do these surnames appear in your family tree? Please reach out!
Even a distant family connection could help our investigators uncover another piece of the puzzle.
We encourage those with ancestral ties to these regions to share this update with family members, genealogy groups, and community organizations.
Every connection matters. Every lead deserves to be explored. Every unidentified person deserves their name back.