According to Breitbart News, a 37-year-old cold case received closure after a North Carolina woman was apprehended and charged for the demise of her newborn in 1987.
In October 1987, a newborn girl was tragically found deceased in a dumpster on La Sierra Ave., California. The discovery was made by a man scouring the dumpster for recyclables.
The baby was subsequently pronounced a victim of homicide by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office. However, the perpetrator remained unidentified, thrusting the case into a cold state.
The case against Melissa Jean Allen Avila, now 55, lingered unresolved until advancements in DNA technology provided the much-needed breakthrough.
Allen, who was 19 at the time of the incident, lived with this dark secret as the years passed. In 2020, revitalized efforts in the investigation allowed authorities to pin the maternal connection to Avila through DNA evidence.
The use of advanced DNA analysis has been crucial in solving cold cases. This technology identified Avila as the mother in a long-unsolved case, renewing hope for justice after nearly four decades. Riverside law enforcement remained committed to the case despite the years that had passed.
Last week, Melissa was arrested in North Carolina without any complications after the evidence was secured. She has since been extradited to California and is now held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility.
With a bail set at $1.1 million, Avila is slated for her arraignment on September 9. This legal stride is a significant development in a saga that has spanned nearly four decades. It casts a somber light on the consequences of actions, delayed yet not denied by the passage of time.
Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez emphasized the perseverance that led to this breakthrough. According to Gonzalez, the relentless pursuit of justice by the investigators played a critical role in bringing identity and resolution to the victim.
Thanks to the persistent efforts of our investigators and partners, this victim now has an identity, bringing resolution to the case. We will remain dedicated to seeking justice for homicide victims and ensuring their families find closure.
The case of Melissa Jean Allen Avila serves as a strong reminder that the law remains vigilant, no matter how much time has passed. Investigators determined that the father of the child was not involved in the events leading to the newborn’s death, placing full responsibility on Avila.
Melissa's arrest highlights the progress in forensic technology and the ongoing commitment to justice, regardless of the years that have gone by.
As she awaits trial, the reopened 1987 case stands as evidence of the relentless effort to uncover the truth and bring closure to a painful chapter that has remained unresolved for decades.
