Lily Ann Prendergast was identified in 2020 from remains found on the side of I-5 in Sacramento on October 27, 1981. The remains recovered were of a Caucasian woman about 5 feet 5 inches with long brown hair, estimated to be 25 to 35 years old; DNA comparison with her brother William led investigators to confirm her identity as 26 year old Lily Ann Prendergast.

Lily had been living in Dallas, Texas and was last seen in late 1980 after leaving her father’s home following an argument; her brother described her as a free spirit who frequently hitchhiked and noted she never contacted the family after that night. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office has classified the case as a homicide, though no cause of death was determined. Investigators estimate Lily had been killed one to five months before her remains were found.

Anyone with information about Lily’s death is asked to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-TIPS (8477).