A Harris County Jane Doe case from 1992 has been identified as 29-year-old Joann Zamora. Her homicide remains under investigation.
HOUSTON — More than three decades after her remains were found in a wooded area, A Harris County Jane Doe from 1992 has been identified thanks to a non-profit that does investigative genealogy work.
The family of 29-year-old Joann Zamora describes her as a loving mother and vibrant, outgoing woman who lived life with joy and determination.
Spencer Zamora Graham, her daughter, who was 2 years old when Joann vanished, told KHOU 11 that it was heartbreaking to finally learn for certain that they will never see her again.
“While the outcome is not what we had hoped for, we are deeply grateful to those who cared enough to seek the truth about a stranger who had no name and stood alone for so long,” Graham said.
She said her mother’s boyfriend told them back then that she just disappeared one day with his car and money. She and her sister spent their lives thinking that their mother had left because she was unable to care for her children.
Thirty-three years later, the question of who killed Joann remains a mystery.
Discovery in 1992
Joann’s remains were discovered on West Rittenhouse in north Houston on Sept. 8, 1992, by a passerby.
At the time, investigators described her as a white/Caucasian woman between 20 and 30 years old, about 5-foot-1, with brown hair. She suffered from scoliosis in her lower spine and had artificial upper front teeth secured with a temporary dental bridge.
Despite extensive efforts, her identity remained a mystery.
Breakthrough with genetic genealogy
In 2024, Moxxy Forensic Investigations launched an investigation, funded entirely by public crowdfunding and sponsored by Criminal Coffee Co.
Their work officially began on Dec. 5, 2024.
Intermountain Forensics played a key role, successfully extracting DNA from Joann’s remains to create a viable profile for genealogical research.
A team of eight volunteer genealogists from Moxxy worked the case, and in 2025, they positively identified Joann after a match came back to her daughter.
“Our entire team poured their hearts into this case,” said Katie Thomas, co-founder of Moxxy Forensic Investigations. “Joann was never just a case number to us — she was someone’s mother, someone’s daughter, someone who mattered. Every person deserves to have their name returned, and we are honored to have helped bring Joann home.”
“This accomplishment underscores the power of genetic genealogy in modern investigations, opening new doors for solving even the most challenging cases,” said Derrick Levasseur, founder of Criminal Coffee Co.
Ironically, Joann’s daughter is a fan of Lavasseur from the reality shows “Big Brother” and “Traitors.” He used his winnings from winning “Big Brother” to found his coffee company. Graham said she’d just watched him on CBS the Friday before she learned that her mother had been identified.
“Words cannot fully express what it means to finally have answers after more than 32 years,” Graham said.
Ongoing homicide investigation
Authorities confirmed Joann was the victim of a homicide, and her death remains under investigation by the Houston Police Department. Criminal Coffee Co. has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible.
“Somebody out there knows something … I’m hoping they will come forward,” Graham said.
What’s next
Moxxy Forensic Investigations continues working to restore names to unidentified individuals. The group is now fundraising for another case — a 1994 Jane Doe also found in Harris County. To donate, visit moxxyforensics.com/donate.
Anyone with information regarding the death of Joann Zamora is asked to contact the Houston Police Department Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-8477.
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