Remains of Missing Berkeley Woman Identified After 35 Years

Human remains discovered in 1990 off Yankee Jims Road in Colfax have been identified as Wendy Abrams-Nishikai, a 21-year-old UC Berkeley student who disappeared on Halloween night in 1989. Despite initial efforts, the remains were unidentified for over three decades until advancements in DNA technology and forensic genealogy facilitated the breakthrough. The case was reopened in 2023 by a cold case team from the Placer County Sheriff's Office, leading to the identification in early 2025 after DNA analysis linked the remains to Abrams-Nishikai's family. The identification provides some closure to her family after 35 years, although the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation. Authorities encourage anyone with information about the case to contact them, as they believe someone may be responsible for her death.