DISCOVERY:
On October 31, 1958, the skeletal remains of an unidentified female were discovered on a hillside, off a dirt road on Skinner Ridge in Arizona, approximately 10 miles southeast of the Grand Canyon.
AUTOPSY:
The body was examined upon being brought to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office, where it was determined Jane Doe had died between 9 to 18 months prior to being discovered.
Police are currently working on the theory that her death is the result of a homicide.
DETAILS:
Jane Doe is believed to have either been white or Hispanic, and was between 11 and 17 years old. She stood between 5’0″ and 5’3″, and weighed approximately 105 to 110 pounds.
Her natural light brown hair was dyed a reddish brown and was wavy when the body was discovered. However, the style may not have been its natural state. Given the state of the remains, her eye colour is unknown. She is believed to have received excellent dental care throughout her life, as she had seven fillings.
While the remains were unclothed, clothing was found nearby, including a white wool cardigan short sleeve sweater; brown plaid with red and green pattern capri pants, with the label “World Gamons GRAFF California Wear”; white rayon underpants; a Maidenform “Alloette” white cotton brassiere; and an 18″, 10-carat solid gold neck chain with tiny curb-style links. It was noted that the clothing was too big for the body.
Items found near the body include a small jar of Ponds cold cream; a nylon white comb; a small white powder puff with traces of suntan-coloured powder; and a small blue plastic nail file, with the indentation “P” written in script and a hand-printed “R”.
POSSIBLE IDENTITIES:
Given DNA technology wasn’t available at the time of the initial investigation, those believed to have been Jane Doe were ruled out using other techniques. There had been three names brought up throughout the investigation.
1) Donnis Redman, who went missing from Las Vegas, Nevada on March 1, 1958.
2) Mary Begay, who went missing from Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona on August 1, 1957.
3) Connie Smith, who went missing from Lakeville, Connecticut on July 16, 1952.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Given the location of Jane Doe’s remains is currently unknown, her dental records and DNA are not available. As the remains were skeletal, fingerprints weren’t able to be collected.
Those with information regarding the identity of Jane Doe are being asked to call the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office at 928-679-8775 or the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department at 928-226-5012.
Image Credit: NCMEC/The Doe Network
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