Missing Lake Tahoe Casino Nurse Identified after 50 Years

In a breakthrough development, a decades-old mystery surrounding the disappearance of Donna Lass has been solved. Donna Lass, a 25-year-old casino nurse, vanished from the Sahara Hotel Casino, now known as the Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe, in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in September 1970. For over 50 years, her case remained unresolved due to a lack of evidence.

In 1986, remains, including Donna Lass's skull, were discovered in Placer County. Unfortunately, due to the absence of additional evidence, her case was filed as Jane Doe, and her identity remained a mystery. The trail grew colder as the years went by, leaving her family without closure.

Recent advances in forensic technology brought new hope to the case. Last week, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Donna Lass's remains were identified, thanks to the dedication of a cold case team. Even though over five decades had passed, DNA extracted from the remains matched with a family member's DNA, obtained by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department reached out to Donna Lass's surviving family members, offering them closure after all these years. The Placer County District Attorney’s Office played a vital role in ensuring the remains were identified, allowing the family to finally put this painful chapter to rest.

While no official confirmation has been made regarding a connection to the Zodiac killer, who terrorized northern California in the 1960s, speculation in the media suggests a potential link. The Zodiac killer, known for his cryptic messages, has been associated with multiple cold cases. However, it remains uncertain whether Donna Lass's disappearance and death are connected to the infamous serial killer, adding an eerie layer to this long-awaited resolution.