DISCOVERY:
On January 1, 1984, the partial remains of an unidentified female were found in Vidor, Orange County, Texas. The location, a pasture at the Highway 1132 overpass, was close to 1005 Ridgewood Street, near FM1135, south of I-10.
AUTOPSY:
An autopsy determined Jane Doe died at least 11 months prior to her body being found. While her cause of death wasn’t fully determined, it was likely the result of decapitation.
DETAILS:
Jane Doe is described as White, between the age of 12 and 20. Given a full skeleton wasn’t recovered, determining her weight while alive wasn’t possible. However, the coroner was able to estimate her height, placing her anywhere from 4’6″ to 5’2″ tall. The level of decomposition meant her eye colour couldn’t be determined. However, there was enough hair for it to listed as fine, brown and two inches in length (much shorter than the artist’s rendering).
While the decedent’s mandible wasn’t recovered, evidence suggests she once wore braces. She also had fillings in her upper molars. A green comb and a blue-green and white terrycloth Penney Company– or Present Company-brand short-sleeved pullover with an elastic waistband, junior size 9-12, were found near her remains.
Given how close the pasture was to I-10, investigators believe Jane Doe was dumped at the location. However, given the amount of time that had passed, they couldn’t say for sure.
RULE OUTS:
- Mindi Chambers, who went missing from Tempe, Arizona on October 19, 1982.
- Barbara Louise Cotton, who went missing from Williston, North Dakota on April 11, 1981.
- Melody Ann Jones, who went missing from Earlsboro, Oklahoma on May 4, 1983.
- Julie Ann Moseley, who went missing from Fort Worth, Texas on December 23, 1974.
- Mary Optiz, who went missing from Fort Myers, Florida on January 16, 1981.
- Sondra Kay Ramber, who went missing from Santa Fe, Texas on October 26, 1983.
- Ruth Marie Severance, who went missing from Houston, Texas on December 11, 1982.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jane Doe’s dentals and DNA are available for comparison.
Anyone with information regarding the decedent’s identity is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at either (409) 883-2612 or (409) 769-6391. Tips can also be called into the Texas Department of Public Safety at (512) 424-5074 or the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences at (713) 796-6858.
Image Credit: NamUs
Stories of the Unsolved 