DNA Comparison Rules Out Jane Doe in Millbrook Case

A recent forensic analysis confirms a Louisiana Jane Doe is not one of the twins who disappeared in 1990.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Life Sciences

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a silhouette of a forested riverbank, symbolizing the somber nature of a long-term forensic investigation. — Forensic DNA testing has ruled out a Louisiana Jane Doe as a match for the Millbrook twins who vanished in 1990. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

In January 2026, investigators used DNA evidence to rule out a Louisiana Jane Doe as being one of the missing Millbrook twins. The twins went missing in March 1990 from their home in Augusta.

Why it matters

The family requested the forensic comparison through the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System due to hopes that the unidentified individual could be one of their missing children. The result marks a difficult setback in the search for the siblings, which has now spanned 37 years.

Four bodies were recovered near Shaw Creek between 1987 and 1993, two of which remain unidentified today. The search for the Millbrook twins has now continued for 37 years.

The players

NamUs

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System is a national database and resource center for missing, unidentified, and unclaimed person cases across the United States.

Millbrook twins

These siblings disappeared from Augusta in March 1990, prompting an investigation that has remained active for over three decades.

The details

The DNA comparison was submitted through NamUs in November 2025 to determine if the Jane Doe found in Louisiana matched the missing twins. While this match was negative, authorities continue to investigate cases involving four bodies discovered near Shaw Creek, a site that has been a focal point for investigators since the 1990s.

1987-1993: Four bodies were found near Shaw Creek.
March 1990: The Millbrook twins disappeared from their home in Augusta.
November 2025: A DNA comparison was submitted to NamUs.
January 2026: Investigators performed the DNA comparison.

The Big Picture

This investigative process follows the standard forensic matching protocols established by the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. The case demonstrates the critical role that centralized genetic databases play in resolving long-standing cold cases.

The application of DNA testing in missing persons cases continues to provide clearer answers for families searching for long-lost relatives. As more unidentified remains are processed through national databases, the likelihood of resolving cold cases through forensic science increases.

The takeaway

Advancements in forensic DNA testing offer the best path forward for investigators attempting to identify remains in decades-old cases. Families of missing persons are encouraged to work with local law enforcement to ensure genetic markers are properly logged in national databases.