DISCOVERY:
On May 2, 1996, a jogger travelling along a vacant field near 98th Street and Tower Road in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico discovered the decomposed remains of an unidentified female. Located on the city’s southwest side, the area was largely undeveloped at the time and was just one mile south of Interstate 40.
The victim was fully clothed, and her body was wrapped in six dark green or black plastic garbage bags. The outer bag had been tied at the top with a green electrical wire with a copper-coloured core, while the bottom was tied with a white 1/4-inch diameter rope.
AUTOPSY:
Jane Doe’s cause of death was determined to be blunt-force trauma, as multiple fractures were noted on the left side of her skull, as well as on her left tibia and fibula. Based on the level of decomposition, it was determined she’d been dead approximately four weeks, with the possibility being the time frame was between two and 10 weeks.
DETAILS:
Jane Doe is described as either a White, Native American or Hispanic female between the ages of 14 and 19. She stood between 5’2″ and 5’4″, and had light brown hair with a tinge of red in it. Due to the level of decomposition, her weight and eye colour couldn’t be determined, but it’s believed the latter may have been brown.
One of the decedent’s teeth was missing, with the autopsy report noting that the gap had since closed.
When found, Jane Doe was wearing a V-neck In Chicago ribbed sweater, size small; light blue Levi 550 jeans, size 30-32, that were hemmed above the ankles and had a tear in the lower left pant leg; Sheer Energy support pantyhose; and a black lace bra, size 32A.
RULE OUTS:
- Anthonette Christine Cayedito, who went missing from Gallup, New Mexico on April 6, 1986.
- Jahzeel Collazo-Rios, who went missing from Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 4, 1995.
- Kiplyn Davis, who went missing from Spanish Fork, Utah on May 5, 1996.
- Patricia Loya, who went missing from El Paso, Texas on April 26, 1993.
- Sarah Ann Norfleet, who went missing from Bountiful, Utah on June 20, 1993.
- Jennifer Lynn Pentilla, who went missing from Deming, New Mexico on October 17, 1991.
- Rachel Geraldine Pratt, who went missing from Garden City, Kansas on January 16, 1995.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jane Doe’s dentals and DNA are currently available for comparison.
Those with information regarding the decedent’s identity and/or murder are asked to contact the Albuquerque Police Department at either +1 (877) 765-8273, (505) 768-2450 or (505) 768-2020. Tips can also be called into the University of New Mexico Office of Medical Investigations at (505) 272-3053 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at (505) 843-7867.
Image Credit: NCMEC/NamUs
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