California police discovered a woman's dismembered torso with multiple stab wounds on July 11, 1981.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office reported that authorities discovered the victim in an empty field which currently holds the VTA Berryessa Transit Center and BART Station parking structure in San Jose, California.

"She was unidentified. We didn't know who she was. Rob Baker, the Deputy District Attorney for Santa Clara County declared that the woman suffered dismemberment before her murder remained unsolved.

The DA's office reported on Tuesday that through forensic genealogy scientists have identified Vivian Moss as the victim.

At her death Vivian Moss had reached the age of 54.

The District Attorney's office created an AI-generated image of Moss using a fuzzy family photo as reference material.

Baker stated they needed to match the unknown face to an identity.

A computer-created visual representation depicts Vivian Moss who lost her life in San Jose, Calif., during 1981.

San Jose, Calif. became the site where Vivian Moss died in 1981 and this artificial-intelligence generated image represents her.

He explained that forensic genealogists from Parabon NanoLabs collaborated with their team while EWU Media provided financial support for the project.

In 2024 investigators received information about a potential granddaughter's identity.

Baker explained how their cold case unit contacted the granddaughter who shared that her grandmother failed to pick her up in 1981 and she hasn't seen her since.

The family and investigators are hopeful that someone will provide information to help identify Moss' killer now that investigators have solved half the mystery.

Who knew Vivian Moss before she disappeared and what situation may have caused her death? Were there any individuals in her life who posed potential threats to her? Baker asked. 

According to Baker Vivian Moss participated actively in the Mt. Zion Spiritual Church of Oakland. Zion Spiritual Church in Oakland. Before her disappearance Vivian Moss might have worked at an Oakland elementary school.

Religious medallions were found with her including a round one that read "Saint Christopher protect us". The second medallion featured an oval shape with an image of the Virgin Mary encircled by "Mary conceived without sin. Pray for us who have recourse to thee." We seek your prayers because we take refuge in you.

Baker requested assistance to uncover Vivian's story since her identity has been determined. We have a name. We aim to discover what events led to her situation.

The Santa Clara County DA's Cold Case Unit requests that anyone with information contact them via (408) 792-2466 or through their email coldcasetips@dao.sccgov.org.