Bergen County Students Help Solve Cold Case Of 'Becca Doe,' 18

MAHWAH, NJ — She was 18 when she was found dead in a motel room in New Mexico in 1991. Even the man traveling with her didn't know her full name, police say.

For 35 years, no one was able to identify "Becca Doe" — until a team of students and experts working at Ramapo College's Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center helped crack the case.

It's one of dozens of cold cases they've helped solve since the program's inception in 2024.

The IGG Center, a certificate program at the Mahwah-based college, utilizes the training of students and staff to identify human remains and solve cases, from sexual assaults to murders.

The students and staff have solved 43 cases, 25 of which have been made public so far, said IGG Center Assistant Director Cairenn Binder this week.

Becca Doe's Case

The unidentified Albuquerque woman — known as “Becca Doe” — died by suicide in a Super 8 motel in June 1991, officials said.

She had some photos with her, but still, the Albuquerque Police Department and FBI couldn't figure out who she was.

The FBI determined that her first name was probably Becca.

In 2025, New Mexico law enforcement began working with the IGG, according to Albuquerque police.

A sample was sent to a company called Genologue in Tucker, Ga., which performed DNA extraction and genome sequencing. That data was sent to Parabon Nanolabs to develop a profile, which was uploaded early this year.

The IGG identified a candidate within a few days – Becca Mallekoote, who would have been 18 years old.

Detectives found Mallekoote’s half-brother and stepfather in California, said a story in the Albuquerque Journal. Her stepfather confirmed he'd last seen her in 1991..

Reports said she met up with a man she knew at a motel in Albuquerque. The man stayed overnight and left. Motel employees weren't able to get into the locked room. They found Mallekoote dead in the bathtub, and ruled her death a suicide.

DNA from her half-brother was compared with hers, and she was identified on what would have been her 53rd birthday, said Albuquerque police — March 4, 2026.

"After 35 years, Becca’s name has been restored," said Albuquerque police. "We hope this brings her family long-awaited peace."

Binder told Patch, "We are incredibly proud of our students, staff, and volunteers who provide research around the clock from locations all over the world to bring resolution to waiting families of the missing, the unidentified, and victims of violent crime."

More information and photos related to the case are available here.