DISCOVERY:
On August 10, 1999, the Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office received a letter from an unknown individual, who claimed to have found a set of skeletal remains in a secluded and unincorporated area of Huerfano County. According to the letter, the writer been walking in the area three weeks prior when he came across an old refrigerator lying on its side, with the door slightly ajar. This prompted sheriff’s deputies to visit the location, and within 100 feet of the appliance they found a scapula, jaw bone and additional bone fragments.
The area where the remains were found is located along County Line Road 610, 3.5 miles off of Red Rocks Road and 3 miles northwest of Walsenburg, Colorado. It’s within the general vicinity of Interstate 25.
AUTOPSY:
The remains were brought to the Huerfano County Coroner’s office, where it was determined the deceased had likely died between 1997 and 1999.
A cause of death has not been publicly released.
DETAILS:
The deceased is described as a female between the ages of 30 and 45. Due to the state of the remains, her race could not be determined, but she is believed to be either White, Native American or Hispanic. She had a moderate build, standing between 5’7″ and 6’0″ and weighing 135 and 145 pounds. While her natural hair colour is believed to be dark brown or black, at the time of her death it was a reddish-brown tone. It appeared well cared for, and while it was singed, this was due to exposure and not burning. It may have also been styled in dreadlocks.
The level of decomposition meant her eye colour could not be determined.
When found, Jane Doe was wearing a light-coloured Bansforner sleeveless crop top, size medium; blue Wrangler jeans with the cuffs rolled up two times, size 34×34; white or tan athletic socks; a maroon or red 36C or 36D Bonjour sports bra, size XL; red men’s thermal underwear with the Winston cigarette logo along the back of the left side, size 28×22; and dark brown or black sandals with leather straps and double buckles – one above the ankle and another below – size 9 or 10. They were made in Italy, had rubber soles and suede leather foot pads, and were well-worn.
A small metal clip, similar to a small money clip, was found on one of the left belt loops. It was in relatively good condition and wasn’t extremely faded.
Analysis of the remains showed she’d had extensive dental work done and had once suffered a broken left rib, which had since healed. There were also indications she may have been pregnant at least once in her life.
The refrigerator the remains were found in was made by Philco. While the model is unknown, it’s possible it was produced between the 1940s and 1960s. It had a lever handle and was a single door unit. Trash found within it was dated between 1988 and 1992.
RULE OUTS:
1) Mary Bernadette Brubaker, who went missing from Boulder, Colorado on December 1, 1996.
2) Sharon Kay Brown, who went missing from Tacoma, Washington on November 26, 1998.
3) Sherry D. Bynum, who went missing from Colorado Springs, Colorado on August 8, 1987.
4) Sherryl Lynn Jacquot, who went missing from Stilwell, Oklahoma on July 3, 1999.
5) Vivian Irene Botz, who went missing from Wichita, Kansas on May 1, 1998.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jane Doe’s DNA and dentals are available for comparison.
Those with information regarding the identity of Jane Doe are asked to contact the Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office at 719-738-1600 or the Colorado Bureau of Investigation at 719-647-5990. Tips can also be called into the Huerfano County Coroner’s Office at 719-989-0988 or 719-738-2425.
Image Credit: Colorado Bureau of Investigation/The Doe Network
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