Historical missing person investigation linked to Las Vegas homicide
Following extensive investigation by our Historical Homicide Team, the family of a woman who was reported missing almost 60 years ago has been given answers.
As part of our commitment to revisit historical cases and ensure that no victim is forgotten, investigators in our Historical Homicide Team have been working diligently to review past case files and publicly available archives to piece together additional context or previously overlooked details. As part of this process, in 2024, investigators identified the case of a missing woman, Anna Sylvia JUST, that warranted renewed investigation.
Anna was reported missing to police by family in August 1966. It was determined she was last seen boarding a bus in Calgary on Aug. 17, 1966, and in March of 1968, some of Anna’s belongings were located in the Nevada desert.
In September 2024, after approaching the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), CPS detectives learned that Anna was believed to be the victim of a homicide, however, her remains were never located. Our investigators also discovered that no missing person profile existed for Anna on local, national or international databases. CPS detectives immediately began searching for close relatives of Anna who could provide a familial DNA sample to create a profile.
In November 2024, investigators located Anna’s sister, a now 97-year-old woman living in Calgary, who is Anna’s only living relative that would be suitable to provide a sample for DNA comparison. Anna’s sister’s DNA was subsequently collected with her consent and submitted with Anna’s missing person profile on international databases, including the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).
In October 2025, CPS investigators were notified by LVMPD that a DNA match had been made to a historic Nevada homicide investigation, in which human remains were located in September 1970. Until now, the remains had been unidentified.
Earlier this month, detectives met with Anna’s sister and provided her with the long-awaited update about the discovery of Anna’s remains and circumstances surrounding her death.
"We recognize how difficult it must have been for Anna’s family to wait decades for these answers. This case is an example of our unwavering commitment to seeking answers for victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed. Even decades later, our investigators are dedicated to ensuring every victim is remembered and no stone is left unturned.”
Our Service continues to investigate approximately 120 historical homicides, 56 historical missing person cases and 14 historical unidentified human remains cases. Each one of these represents a family without answers. We want to reaffirm our commitment to families that regardless of how much time has gone by, our investigators are actively working to review all unsolved homicide and missing person investigations. This investigation also highlights the vital role families play by working with investigators and, where appropriate, providing DNA samples. Without the contribution of familial DNA, Anna’s case would still be without resolution.
We’d like to thank the Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD), Clark County Office of the Coroner and National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) for their partnership in this investigation.
Case #: CA25101787
Clarification: Some reports have incorrectly stated that Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) was used in this case. We would like to clarify that IGG was not utilized as an investigative technique in this file.