Barstow Jane Doe

*Last Updated – August 10, 2024*

DISCOVERY:

On February 10, 2010, a man looking for cans along Lenwood Road in Barstow, San Bernardino County, California, came across a backpack. When he opened it, he discovered the severed head of a deceased female wrapped in plastic bags from Fiesta Foods and Walgreens.

The area, which is in close proximity to several truck stops, borders on a remote desert area and is 1/10th of a mile north of I-15. The roadway is heavily travelled and is a main thoroughfare between Los Angeles, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

AUTOPSY:

An autopsy was conducted on the remains on February 17, 2010.

It was learnt Jane Doe’s death had occurred approximately three-to-four days prior to her discovery. Her head had been severed from her body, and it was noted that she’d suffered traumatic injuries. While her cause of death is undetermined, investigators have been working on the theory it was the result of a homicide.

DETAILS:

Jane Doe is described as being biracial, and was believed to have been between 14 and 19 years old. Given the remainder of her body has yet to be located, her height and weight are unknown. That being said, we do know she had straight, medium-length dark brown hair and brown eyes. Her ears were pierced, and she had no identifiable scars or tattoos. A look through her dental records show the decedent had received high-quality dental care, as she had numerous fillings.

As aforementioned, her head was found inside a black backpack, wrapped in plastic bags from Walgreens and Fiesta Foods.

The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office is currently working with a genetic genealogist to try and identify Jane Doe. Thus far, testing has revealed she has distant relatives in Mexico.

RULE OUTS:

1. Madeline Baker, who went missing on September 14, 2009. Additional specifics are unavailable.
2. Yareli Marlem Barajas, who went missing from Phoenix, Arizona, on August 11, 2009.
3. Sarita Camacho, who went missing from San Diego, California, on October 15, 2008.
4. Kyndall Canning, who went missing from Jacksonville, Florida, on January 9, 2010.

5. Estefani Yamileth Castro, who went missing on June 25, 2008. According to The Doe Network (citing NamUs), she’s since been located.

6. Kelsey Emily Collins, who went missing from Everett, Washington, on May 9, 2009.
7. Daryen Cravalho, who went missing from California on February 3, 2010.
8. Ryann Jennifer Crow, who went missing from California on February 2, 2010.
9. Yrayz Cruz, who went missing from California. Additional specifics are unavailable.

10. Georgina Lynn DeJesus, who went missing from Cleveland, Ohio, on April 2, 2004. She, along with Michelle Knight and Amanda Berry, were rescued from the home of Ariel Castro in 2013.

11. Brittanee Marie Drexel, who went missing from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on April 25, 2009. Her remains were found in a wooded area west of Georgetown, South Carolina, and Raymond Moody has since been convicted of her murder.

12. Sophia Filipcic, who went missing from Washington on September 14, 2009.
13. Jessica Edith Louise Foster, who went missing from Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 28, 2006.
14. Nia Freeman, who went missing on November 19, 2009. Additional specifics are unavailable.
15. Mariana Gutierrez, who went missing from California on September 1, 2009.
16. Monica Delia Hewitty, who went missing from San Antonio, Texas, on November 1, 2009.
17. Meghan Hodgdon, who went missing from Connecticut. It’s believed she’s since been located.
18. Angela Rene Jaramillo, who went missing from Dallas, Texas, on January 23, 2010.
19. Maricruz Jimenez, who went missing from California on September 14, 2009.

20. Donna Haghighat Jou, who went missing from Rancho Santa Margarita, California, on June 24, 2007. John Steven Burgess pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in her case, after admitting to disposing of her body off the coast of southern California. Investigators believe Jou likely died of an overdose after taking drugs supplied by Burgess. Her body has never been recovered.

21. Angelica Lopez, who went missing from California on November 7, 2009.
22. Nancy Lopez, who went missing from California on March 25, 2009.

23. Wendy Martinez, who went missing from San Antonio, Texas, on December 5, 2009. Her remains were found in 2015 and identified over two years later. While her cause of death is undetermined, it’s believed to have been the result of a homicide.

24. Diana Mazariegos, who went missing from Fontana, California, on June 23, 2006.

25. Summer McStay, who went missing from Fallbrook, California, on February 4, 2010. Her remains, along with those of her husband and two children, were discovered in a remote area of the Mojave Desert in November 2013. Charles “Chase” Merritt has since been convicted of their murders and sentenced to death.

26. Kandy Mendizabal, who went missing from Los Angeles, California, on April 17, 2009.
27. Rosa Mendoza, who reportedly went missing from California. Additional specifics are unavailable.
28. Kayleigh Miller, who went missing from Kansas on February 2, 2010.
29. Shanta Minor, who went missing from Colorado on December 11, 2009.
30. Stephanie Marie Pinero Morales, who went missing from Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on November 26, 2008.
31. Adriana Murillo, who went missing from Chino, California, on September 3, 2007.
32. Genoveva Ochoa, who went missing from North Charleston, South Carolina, on December 8, 2009.
33. Leah Rachelle Peebles, who went missing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, on May 22, 2006.
34. Adaneli Perez, who went missing from San Diego, California, on November 2, 2007.
35. Kyla Gabrielle Porter, who went missing from Holiday, Florida, on February 15, 2008.
36. Vevelina Rodriguez, who went missing from New York. It’s believed she’s since been located.
37. Erinn Rogers, who went missing from Modesto, California, on January 8, 2007.
38. Katherine Anne Truitt, who went missing from Alameda, California, on January 6, 2010.
39. Christina Maxine Whittaker, who went missing from Hannibal, Missouri, on November 13, 2009.

CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jane Doe’s dental records are available and her DNA has been processed.

Those with information regarding the identity of the decedent are being asked to contact the Barstow Police Department at (760) 225-5170. Tips can also be called into the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department at (909) 387-2978.

Image Credit: NCMEC

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