WHITE HILLS – Positive identification resolves part of a near five-year mystery, but local authorities are still trying to find out what happened to Kimberly Rena Jones and whether the death of the teenager was a homicide. Jones’ decomposing remains were found in late Sept., 2016 in a ravine near the rural community of White Hills, about 40 miles north of Kingman.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was unable to make positive identification through initial efforts involving a composite sketch shared on social media. Entry of information into the Nationwide Missing Person database also turned up no clues.
MCSO spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said the cold case was assigned to the Special Investigations Unit in February, 2020. She said Jones’ remains were exhumed last October to draw another DNA sample for testing.
“The DNA extraction was sent to an outside laboratory and a full genome of the victim was developed,” Mortensen said. She said it was in early July when the remains were matched to Jones, who was 18 years old when reported missing from San Bernardino, in 2017.
The sheriff’s office is interested in speaking with anyone who knows more about the case and how Jones ended up and died in Arizona. Those with information can call the sheriff’s office in Kingman (928-753-0755) or toll free (1-800-522-4312).
Dave Hawkins