The remains of Kristen Galvan, a 15 year old human trafficking victim who disappeared from her home in Spring in January 2020, have been identified.
Her remains were found on January 29, 2020. Investigators determined the victim was a teenage girl who had likely been murdered, but the condition of the remains prevented standard DNA testing from identifying her.
In 2022, the Missouri City Police Department asked the Texas Attorney General’s Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit for help.
Investigators worked with the University of North Texas to obtain a different type of DNA profile that provided possible leads. The Doe Network then helped connect the unidentified remains to Kristen’s missing persons case.
More DNA testing was still needed to confirm the connection. The Cold Case Unit and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children worked with two private forensic laboratories that use DNA to trace family connections.
In July 2025, DNA from the remains was finally compared with DNA from Kristen’s mother. The following month, her mother was informed that the results confirmed they were mother and daughter.
That testing confirmed the remains belonged to Kristen.
Authorities believe Kristen was the victim of a homicide. Further details cannot be released because the criminal investigation remains open.
Anyone with information about Kristen’s case may contact the Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit at coldcaseunit@oag.texas.gov. Anonymous tips are accepted.
