Valerie Nagle spent decades searching for her sister, Marion Vinetta Nagle McWater, who vanished in Oregon in 1974. In June, Oregon officials contacted Nagle, requesting her DNA for a cold case involving remains discovered in 1976, later confirmed to be her sister’s. McWater, last seen at a shopping mall, was 21 at the time of her disappearance. Nagle, who was 11 then, expressed joy and surprise at the identification.
Their family history includes ties to the Athabascan people, highlighting issues surrounding the disappearance of Indigenous women. McWater’s remains were discovered by a hunter, leading to a recovery of various artifacts. Despite limited search efforts in the past, Nagle pursued leads over the years, including DNA submissions in 2010 and 2020. A breakthrough came in 2023 when a family member’s DNA profile helped connect Nagle to the case.
The investigation, highlighted by state officials, reflects ongoing efforts to solve longstanding missing persons cases. Nagle, relieved to finally know her sister’s fate, emphasized she never forgot her sister. The Lynn County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances of McWater’s death.
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