DNA: ID – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Doe ID: Kay Adams Medin
Podcast: DNA: ID by AbJack Entertainment
Host: Jessica Bettencourt
Release Date: June 2, 2025

Main Theme:

This episode of DNA: ID delves into the decades-long mystery of Kay Adams Medin, a missing woman from Northern California, and how the advent of investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) led to the identification of her partial remains. Beyond solving the "who," the episode explores the circumstances and likely motivations behind her disappearance—centering on family, community, and a husband's unproven guilt amid ongoing suspicions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Discovery and Identification of Remains

• 1993 Discovery at Trinidad Head Beach

  • A man finds a fragment of human skull at a beach in Humboldt County, CA (01:27).
  • DNA analysis at the time reveals it belonged to a woman but no match is made with missing persons reports.
  • "It was 1993, still early in the DNA era...the bone was shelved and was forgotten for 31 years." (01:51)

• Breakthrough via IGG in 2024

  • Congressman Jared Huffman secures federal funding to revisit cold cases.
  • Othram Labs successfully develops a SNP profile from the skull fragment.
  • A top genealogical match leads to a woman, “K.A.,” who believes the skull belongs to her mother, Kay Adams Medin.
  • Direct DNA comparison confirms a mother-daughter relationship (06:20).

The Life & Disappearance of Kay Adams Medin

• Background and Life Story

  • Kay Josephine Weber born 1938, MN; teacher, several marriages, ultimately to Nicholas Medin.
  • "She taught at Highampum Grammar School...ran for the school board in 1985." (07:47)

• Circumstances of Disappearance (1987)

  • Last seen by husband Nick Medin on July 20, 1987.
  • Nick claims to have left on a business trip; returns 11 days later to find her gone.
  • Intensive, multi-day search involving community, sheriff’s office, search dogs, helicopters, horses, and citizen volunteers yields nothing (10:00).
  • Community sentiment described as "a thing of beauty, compassion, hope, perseverance and dedication." – local Pat Garrett (11:33)
  • Kay's belongings (purse, glasses, car, hiking gear) were left untouched, making voluntary disappearance unlikely.
  • "She had every intention of coming home." – Sheriff Schmidt (12:17)

Grim Discovery & Investigation Developments

• Anonymous Package and Unusual Find (Nov 1987)

  • Humboldt County Sheriff's Office receives a human bone and anonymous note, with directions to more remains (14:04).
  • "I was out hunting and I came across this. This poor sap must have gotten attacked by a bear." (paraphrased letter)
  • Remains are eventually confirmed as Kay via dental records.

• Suspicions Against Nick Medin

  • Nick previously tried to collect on Kay’s life insurance. The insurance company initially denied payout due to lack of proof of death.
  • After remains are found and a death certificate issued, Nick collects the policy and remarries in the same small town.
  • "Pretty much everyone knew what he'd done." (17:12)

Cold Case Review & DNA Investigations

• 2024: New Links, Persistent Doubts

  • Identification of the Trinidad Head skull as belonging to Kay prompts renewed investigation (20:51).
  • Police speculation: The disparate locations of body parts could be due to animal activity or intentional disposal.
  • Officer perspective: “There's no reason for her to have been out there. No car was left behind and we don't know if she was killed and cut up or if animals did that.” – Det. Mike Fridley (21:02)

• 2012 DNA Collection Attempt

  • Undersheriff Brian Ward obtains a warrant for Nick Medin’s DNA to check evidence from the scene (22:10).
  • Nick is described as “so surprised that the undersheriff thought he might pass out.” (23:02)
  • No DNA match is found on evidentiary items; case remains unsolved.

• Obstacles to Justice

  • No usable evidence to charge Nick.
  • Modern forensic techniques unavailable in the 1980s hampered the investigation.
  • Nick Medin remains a prime suspect but dies in 2018 without being charged.
  • "One of those cases in which pretty much everyone knew who did it, but they didn't have the evidence they needed to make an arrest." – Undersheriff Ward (24:13)

Reflections & Conclusion

• Host reflects on the tragedy and lack of justice.
• "Rest in peace, Kay. I hope very much that her children are able to make peace with what happened to their mom." (26:56)
• Kay's case remains emblematic of cold cases where circumstantial evidence is strong but insufficient for prosecution.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Forensic Breakthrough:
  "Even though the skull fragment did not include any teeth, within a short time an STR DNA sample was obtained..." – Host (01:36)

• On the Search Effort:
  "...the community was heavily involved with local merchants providing food and water for the searchers..." (11:09)

• Law Enforcement on Suspicion:
  "They found it very concerning that although nothing seemed amiss, Kay left behind all her things, including her purse, eyeglasses, hiking pack and car." (12:02)

• On Community Sentiment:
  "...a thing of beauty, compassion, hope, perseverance and dedication." – Citing Pat Garrett’s letter (11:33)

• On Investigation Challenges:
  "This is indeed one of those cases in which pretty much everyone knew who did it, but they didn't have the evidence they needed to make an arrest..." – Undersheriff Brian Ward (24:13)

• Host Closing Reflection:
  "What an incredible tragedy that Kay will never see justice. I hope very much that her children are able to make peace with what happened to their mom. Rest in peace, Kay." (26:56)

Timeline & Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:27] – Discovery of the skull at Trinidad Head Beach, DNA entry, and initial investigation
• [06:20] – Breakthrough via investigative genetic genealogy; identification of Kay Adams Medin
• [07:47] – Kay Adams Medin’s biography and career
• [10:00] – The 1987 disappearance and the ensuing search
• [12:02] – Law enforcement’s analysis and family insights
• [14:04] – Receipt of the anonymous bone package and recovery of more remains
• [17:12] – Insurance collection and small-town whispers about Nick Medin’s likely guilt
• [20:51] – 2024: New DNA connections and renewed investigation
• [21:02] – Law enforcement perspectives on the body’s possible movement/disposal
• [22:10] – 2012: DNA search warrant and Nick Medin’s reaction
• [24:13] – Systemic limitations; why the case went unsolved
• [26:56] – Host’s reflective closing and tribute to Kay

Tone & Style

• The host maintains a respectful, investigative, and slightly somber tone, balanced by careful factual storytelling.
• Law enforcement quotes and community reflections add a grounded, personal dimension.
• The episode highlights the emotional cost of unsolved cases on families and communities, even amid technological progress in forensics.