Bergen County Students Help Solve Cold Case Of 'Becca Doe,' 18, Found In New Mexico

MAHWAH, NJ — She was only 18 when she was found dead in a motel room in New Mexico in 1991. Even the man traveling with her didn't know her last name, police say.

For 35 years, no one was able to identify "Becca Doe" — until a team of students and experts working at Ramapo College's Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center helped crack the case this year.

It's one of dozens of cold cases they've helped solve since the program's inception.

The Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center at Ramapo College, a three-year-old certificate program, utilizes the training of students and staff to identify human remains and solve cases, from sexual assaults to murders.

The students and staff have already solved 43 cases, 25 of which have been made public so far, said IGG Center Assistant Director Cairenn Binder on Thursday.

Becca Doe's Case

The unidentified Albuquerque woman — known as “Becca Doe” — died by suicide in a Super 8 motel, officials said.

She had some photos with her, but still, the Albuquerque Police Department and FBI couldn't figure out who she was.

The FBI determined that her name was probably Becca, but they couldn't learn much more.

In 2025, New Mexico law enforcement began working with the IGG, said Albuquerque police.

The IGG worked with members of the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and the Albuquerque Police Department to perform investigative genetic genealogy to identify “Becca."

A forensic sample was sent to a company called Genologue in Tucker, Ga., which performed DNA extraction and genome sequencing. That data was sent to Parabon Nanolabs to develop a profile. The profile was uploaded in January of this year.

The IGG identified a candidate within a few days – Becca Mallekoote, who would have been 18 years old.

Detectives found Mallekoote’s half-brother and stepfather in California, said a story in the Albuquerque Journal. Her stepfather confirmed he'd last seen her in 1991, the story said.

DNA from the half-brother was compared with hers, and she was identified on what would have been her 53rd birthday, said Albuquerque police — March 4, 2026.

"After 35 years, Becca’s name has been restored," said Albuquerque police. "We hope this brings her family long-awaited peace."

Binder told Patch, "We are incredibly proud of our students, staff, and volunteers who provide research around the clock from locations all over the world to bring resolution to waiting families of the missing, the unidentified, and victims of violent crime."

More information about the case, and photos, are available here.