- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Opelika Today
By the People, for the People
Alabama Woman Identified as Victim of 1980 Riverside County Cold Case Homicide
Investigators continue search for killer as they uncover new details about the 43-year-old cold case.
Apr. 5, 2026 at 4:19am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The remains of a homicide victim found in a remote part of Riverside County, California in 1980 have been identified as Victoria Jean Hargrove, a 29-year-old woman from Opelika, Alabama who went missing that same year. Investigators are now seeking additional information about Hargrove's disappearance and the circumstances surrounding her death as they continue their search for her killer.
Why it matters
This case highlights the importance of advancements in forensic science and genetic genealogy in solving long-standing cold cases. After over four decades, investigators were finally able to identify the victim and renew efforts to find the perpetrator, providing closure for the victim's family and the potential to bring justice.
The details
On February 18, 1980, a woman's body was discovered 35 feet down a ravine off Highway 74 in an unincorporated part of Riverside County near Palm Desert. At the time, investigators were unable to identify the victim, described as a white female between 20 and 25 years old, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing about 115 pounds, with brown hair. Despite efforts to generate leads, the case went cold. In 2024, investigators re-examined the case using new forensic techniques, including genetic genealogy, which led them to identify the victim as Victoria Jean Hargrove, who had gone missing from her home in Opelika, Alabama on January 28, 1980.
- On February 18, 1980, a woman's body was discovered 35 feet down a ravine off Highway 74 in Riverside County.
- In 2024, investigators re-examined the case using new forensic techniques, including genetic genealogy.
- On March 20, 2026, the California Department of Justice Crime Laboratory confirmed the victim as Victoria Jean Hargrove.
The players
Victoria Jean Hargrove
A 29-year-old woman from Opelika, Alabama who went missing on January 28, 1980 and was later identified as the victim of the 1980 Riverside County cold case homicide.
Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team
The investigative team that re-examined the 1980 cold case and used new forensic techniques, including genetic genealogy, to identify the victim.
What’s next
Investigators are urging anyone with information about Victoria Jean Hargrove's disappearance, the circumstances surrounding her death, or what may have brought her to California to contact the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team.
The takeaway
This case highlights the power of advancements in forensic science and genetic genealogy to solve long-standing cold cases, even decades later. The identification of Victoria Jean Hargrove as the victim provides closure for her family and renews the search for her killer, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and innovation in law enforcement.
