Recovered remains confirmed to be that of Jessica Cain
GALVESTON, TX – Galveston County Criminal District Attorney Jack Roady announced today that the human remains recovered last month from a scene investigation in southeast Houston have been identified as those of Jessica Cain.
In February 2016, a number of law enforcement agencies and volunteer groups came together to search several tracts of land on East Orem Drive in Houston in an effort to locate Jessica Cain’s body. The agencies involved included the Texas Rangers, the FBI, the La Marque Police Department, the Friendswood Police Department, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office. Both Texas Equusearch and the Lighthouse Charity Team devoted a large number of volunteer hours and resources to assist the search. Those efforts concluded in late March, after weeks of excavation, when human remains were discovered buried on the property.
The Houston Police Department and Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences then processed what had been determined to be a crime scene. The evidence was collected and delivered to the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, for forensic testing. The UNT Health Science Center issued a report of its findings on April 14, 2016. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has reviewed the report and positively identified the recovered remains as those of Jessica Cain.
“We are relieved at the news that Jessica has been found,” Roady said. “But while this news brings confirmation, it also brings new sorrow to Jessica’s family, friends and those in law enforcement who have mourned her loss. We ask that everyone be respectful of her family and friends’ need for privacy during this time of grieving.”
The Galveston County District Attorney’s Office is continuing to work closely with law enforcement agencies in the ongoing criminal investigation of Cain’s death. That work includes coordinating prosecution efforts with other jurisdictions in Texas and Oklahoma. Roady said that once the criminal investigation has been completed, a charging determination will be forthcoming.