Remains Found in Midland County in 2013 Are Remains of Missing Teen From 2000

Remains found in 2013 in Midland County have finally been positively identified as a teen that was reported missing in 2000.

According to CBS 7, the remains have been identified as Sylvia Nicole Smith who was reported missing by her mother 22 years ago.

The remains were found almost 10 years ago when surveyors were surveying a wellsite around County Rd 1160 and FM 1213 south of Midland. The remains were sent to the University of North Texas Center For Human Identification where DNA was taken and an anthropology report was made but the remains could only be identified as a female between 14 and 21 who was the victim of a homicide.

The DNA results were put into CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) but no results were found till this past May.

The results were sent to the DNA Labs International and later to Parabon Nanolabs for advanced DNA analysis to find out what the victim looked like.

It was determined that the victim was an African-American female and also it determined her eye color, hair color, and skin tone. A genetic genealogist matched the DNA to possible relatives and in May 2022 that information led them to Sylvia Nicole Smith's mother in Midland.

Smith said she last saw her 16-year-old daughter on February 14, 2000, and filed a runaway report on February 18, 2000, with the Midland Police Department.

DNA from the mother and other family members was collected and on June 9, 2022, the University of North Texas verified the remains found on August 1, 2013, were those of Sylvia Nicole Smith.

A homicide investigation has begun by the Texas Rangers and they are asking anyone with information to come forward and make an anonymous tip at the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or go to the Texas Rangers Cold Case Website or call the Missing Person Hotline at 1-800-346-3242.