NEW BRIGHTON, Minn. — Gail Marlene Johnson of Minneapolis was 40 years old when she died. Twenty-three years later, her remains were identified , and today, investigators are still trying to find out what happened to her.

Johnson's remains were found by two teenagers walking around Long Lake Regional Park on Sept. 15, 2000. Investigators from the New Brighton Police Department believe she had been there for at least two months.

For the next two decades, she was known as "New Brighton Jane Doe." That was until police worked with Astrea Forensics to obtain the type of DNA profile that is required for genetic genealogy. Then, the DNA Doe Project looked through public databases and found a likely genetic connection to Johnson’s family. In 2023, authorities confirmed the remains were Johnso

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