In a striking discovery, establishing the identity of 1981 cold case victim Vivian Moss has reignited efforts to solve a grisly murder that haunted San Jose, California, for decades.
See the tweet below!
After more than 40 years, forensic advancements and genealogical efforts finally identified Moss, whose dismembered body was found in 1981.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office, under Jeff Rosen, hopes that uncovering her identity will lead them to the “depraved” individual responsible.
Vivian Moss, born in Arkansas, vanished sometime in the early 1980s.
Her torso was found entombed in a San Jose field, now a bustling BART station.
Though the scene revealed little, two religious pendants were recovered, and it’s these small details, alongside modern genealogy, that identified Moss as the victim.
The use of forensic genealogy, aided by Parabon NanoLabs, made this groundbreaking identification possible.
Moss’s granddaughter’s DNA was matched against crime scene evidence, confirming the victim’s identity.
Over four decades after vanishing without a trace, justice might finally reach the Moss family.
D.A. Rosen’s team, with a series of successful investigations in recent years, utilizes every modern tool available.
The Santa Clara County Cold Case Unit, solving numerous cases since its inception in 2011, brings renewed hope where it had once faded.
Moss’s identity creates a new path forward in the investigation.
“Vivian Moss was her name. My Office knows it. I know it. Her family knows it. And now our community knows it,” said District Attorney Jeff Rosen, cited by CBS News.
The cold case unit recognizes their task is incomplete until Vivian’s murderer faces justice.
Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker asserted the importance of understanding Moss’s last days.
Authorities appeal to the public for assistance in uncovering her past and relationships that might shed light on this heinous crime.
The cold and callous nature of this crime left a community in shock, where Moss was supposed to pick up her granddaughter but never arrived.
This poignant detail emphasizes the need for closure through justice.
Collectively, they push forward to resolve a case long thought lost to time.
Vivian Moss, who was 54, ID’d via genetic genealogy as woman whose stabbed & dismembered torso & 2 religious pendants were found in 1981 in San Jose field, current site of Berryessa @SFBART @VTA, per #SantaClaraDA pic.twitter.com/zenEUndGuE
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) May 27, 2025
Despite the time elapsed, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s resolve remains firm: to not let Moss’s death fade from memory.
With new technology and community willingness, they aim to unearth the truth and see justice served, reminding the community of the importance of never forgetting.
“Now that we’ve put a name to Vivian, our goal is to get justice for her and for her family,” said Deputy District Attorney and cold case unit supervisor Rob Baker.
