Reconstruction by Barbara Martin-Bailey.
Date of Discovery: July 21, 1987
Location of Discovery: Van Nuys, Los Angeles County, California
Estimated Date of Death: 3-4 weeks prior
State of Remains: Partial remains with soft tissues
Cause of Death: Homicide by strangulation
Physical Description
Estimated Age: 24-33 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 110 to 120 lbs.
Hair: Brown, medium-length
Eye Color: Brown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Appendectomy scar; wore contact lenses. Prior pregnancy. Toenails painted a reddish-pink. Toxicology tests show she had cocaine in her system at the time of her death.
Identifiers
Dentals: Available. Had previous dental work done; missing teeth in upper right molar region and had several fillings. Once wore braces.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.
Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Light blue, homemade dress (short sleeve with ties at neck in the front and ties at waist in the back), considered out-of-date; bra (size 34B); slip; panties; inexpensive high-heel, open-toe strap shoes (black leather, size 8).
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
Circumstances of Discovery
The victim was located in the 16300 block of Burbank Boulevard, in an isolated area of the Sepulveda flood control basin in Van Nuys. She was wrapped in blankets and a blue plastic tarp. Her arms were cleanly cut off at the elbows.
She had been dead two weeks to three weeks when her killer, or killers, dumped her body in the park off Burbank Boulevard just east of Havenhurst Avenue. By removing her hands, the killer ensured there would be no fingerprints.
Because of the tools used and the precision of the mutilation of her limbs, Jane Doe 53's case is similar to the deaths of six other Southern California women, although police haven't been able to make any definite connection.
The remains were cremated on August 17, 1987.
Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Los Angeles County Coroner
Agency Contact Person: Daniel Machian
Agency Phone Number: 323-343-0512 or 323-343-0754
Agency E-Mail: dmachian(at)coroner.lacounty.gov
Agency Case Number: 8706991
Agency Name: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 760-415-7332
Agency E-Mail: homicideops(at)lasd.org or contact.lapdonline@gmail.com
Agency Case Number: 87-09-26786
NCIC Case Number: U170004894
NamUs Case Number: 4117
Information Source(s)
NamUs
Los Angeles Police Department
LA Daily News
Admin Notes
Added: 11/26/05; Last Updated: 4/6/18
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.
www.namus.gov
NamUs #UP4117
Female, White / Caucasian
Date Body Found July 21, 1987
Location Found VAN NUYS, California
Estimated Age Range 24-33 Years
Case Information
Case Numbers
NCMEC Number--
ME/C Case Number 1987-06991
Demographics
Sex Female
Race / Ethnicity White / Caucasian
Possible First Name --
Possible Middle Name--
Possible Last Name--
Possible Nickname--
Estimated Age Group Adult
Estimated Age Range (Years) 24-33
Estimated Year of Death 1987
Estimated PMI--
Height 5' 5"(65 inches) , Estimated
Weight 120 lbs, Measured
Circumstances
Type Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found July 21, 1987
NamUs Case Created September 10, 2008
ME/C QA Reviewed--
Location Found Map
Location VAN NUYS, California 91411
County Los Angeles County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped)--
Circumstances of Recovery SUBJ F0UND WRAPPED IN A PLASTIC TARP L0CATED IN THE BUSHES 0FF THE R0ADWAY AT BURBANK BLVD W 0F W00DLEY AVE IN VAN NUYS
Details of Recovery
Inventory of RemainsOne or more limbs not recovered One or both hands not recovered
Condition of RemainsNot recognizable - Partial remains with soft tissues
Physical Description
Hair Color Brown
Head Hair Description Shoulder length light brown
Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair Description--
Left Eye Color Brown
Right Eye Color Brown
Eye Description Brown
Distinctive Physical Features
Item
Description
Scar/mark
Scar on abdomen
Clothing and Accessories
Item
Description
Clothing
Light Sky Blue Homemade Dress, Tan Bra size 34C, Tan Slip, Tan Panties
On the Body
Footwear
BLK HEEL 0PEN T0E SH0ES
On the Body
Could this be a victim of Van Vaultz? She was located in an isolated area of the Sepulveda flood control basin in Van Nuys, CA 1987
Appendectomy scar; wore contact lenses. Prior pregnancy. Toenails painted a reddish-pink. Toxicology tests show she had cocaine in her system at the time of her death.
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