Ventura County cold case unit IDs woman found dead near Highway 33 in 1990

WatchVentura County cold case unit IDs woman found dead near Highway 33 in 1990by Jasmin Knox

0CommentShare storySharetopics: Cold caseVentura CountyPatricia FieldingGenetic genealogyOthramOjaiHighway 33Missing personMore than three decades after partial human remains were found along a Ventura County highway, investigators have identified the woman as Patricia Diane Hunt Fielding.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit said the investigation dates back to July 23, 1990, when deputies in the city of Ojai found partial human remains near California Highway 33 and Creek Road. Sgt. Craig Hennis said the remains were discovered during a traffic-related incident.

“They were discovered during a traffic accident incident where the remains were found down in an embankment,” Hennis said.

Hennis said that in February 2025, the Cold Case Unit received assistance from Othram, an advanced forensic DNA testing site, to conduct genetic genealogy and confirm Fielding’s identity. Investigators were also able to connect with Fielding’s relatives.

“In this case, we were able to locate children of Patricia Diane Hunt Fielding, and were able to get a DNA profile from them, which was a direct link to her and helped us identify her,” Hennis said.

Fielding was a mother of four and was born in Kern County on Oct. 15, 1933.

With her identity confirmed, investigators said questions remain about what led to her death and when she disappeared. Hennis said identifying an unknown person is only the first step.

“So the first steps that we take is to try to identify the decedent, and then from there, try to build a story on exactly how they ended up deceased, and what took place in their life from the time that they were last seen to the time they were found,” Hennis said.

Hennis said investigators were unable to find any missing persons reports associated with Fielding.

“During our investigation, speaking with family members we understand that she went missing when her children were young,” Hennis said.

Hennis said records in Kern County showed Fielding was party to a property transfer and a divorce in 1974, but those records still do not indicate when she went missing.

The Cold Case Unit is asking for the public’s help as investigators work to establish a clearer timeline and circumstances surrounding Fielding’s disappearance.

“Seeking input from the public, as far as any information that they could relate to us, that would help us get a better idea of when exactly she went missing, under what circumstances she may have went missing,” Hennis said.