The match ends the part of the mystery surrounding the death of Michelle Veal of Union City, whose badly beaten body was found in field near Cotati in 1997.
According to the sheriff's office, DNA submitted by investigators to a testing institute in Richmond last year, matched that of Jack Bokin, a convicted felon who died in prison last December.
"The family was obviously relieved, and it's just a prime example over how we don't forget abut the victims, every family deserves answers and this is the case," Sgt. Juan Valencia said.