Unveiling the Mystery: The Identification of Becca Mallekoote
A long-standing mystery was recently solved by Albuquerque law enforcement with the help of college students. The unidentified woman found dead in a New Mexico motel room in 1991, known as "Becca Doe," was identified as Becca Mallekoote. The breakthrough in the case was achieved through investigative genealogy work conducted by Ramapo College's Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center, in collaboration with the Albuquerque Police Department and the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. Becca Mallekoote, born in Tacoma, Washington, in 1973, was 18 years old when she died by suicide in June 1991 at a motel in Albuquerque.
Mallekoote's body was discovered in 1991 after she traveled to Albuquerque with a man who was later questioned by investigators. Despite examining her personal belongings, officials were unable to confirm her identity at the time. The case was reviewed by the Albuquerque Police Department and the FBI, and in 2021, an anonymous call led investigators to believe her first name might be Becca, hence the moniker "Becca Doe." In 2025, the case was reopened using investigative genetic genealogy, a technique that combines DNA analysis and family tree research to identify unknown individuals.
A forensic sample was sent to Genologue for DNA analysis, and Parabon NanoLabs created a DNA profile from the results, which was uploaded to GEDmatch Pro in January 2026. Ramapo researchers quickly identified Mallekoote as a potential match. The identification was officially confirmed through DNA testing of a close family member on March 4, 2026, which would have been Mallekoote's 53rd birthday. The Albuquerque Police Department expressed hope that the identification would bring closure to Mallekoote's family after 35 years of uncertainty.
Ramapo College's Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center has been instrumental in identifying 24 individuals since its inception in 2022. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement, academic institutions, and forensic technology have played a crucial role in solving cold cases and bringing closure to families of missing persons.