List of unidentified decedents in California

Retouched morgue photograph of the female victim killed in a dynamite explosion between 1921 and 1951.

Two children were witnessed playing with sticks of dynamite in Los Angeles County, California between the years of 1921 and 1951. Poor record keeping resulted in the exact date of the incident being unknown; the time range was established from the thirty-year career of the particular crime scene photographer. The dynamite subsequently exploded and killed both the victims, one male and one female. Very little is known about these two victims, especially the male child, as it was impossible to create a reconstruction from his body due to the injuries he suffered. He wore dark colored loafers; dark socks; medium toned pants; possibly a dark colored long sleeved shirt. The female was in much better condition. She was most likely a teenager, though a wider possible age range is not known. Her height, weight, hair and eye color are unknown; though she most likely was Caucasian.[4] She was wearing a light-colored long sleeved top; dark colored skirt or pants; dark colored socks with stripes at top.

San Bernardino County John Doe, killed by a truck in 1930.

A man estimated to be between the ages of fifty-five and sixty years old was struck by a truck on Cajon Highway on October 22, 1930 in Verdemont, San Bernardino County, California. The victim had been walking alongside the road and was presumed to have been killed as soon as the vehicle collided with his body. He had hazel eyes, a beard and gray hair. His height and weight were five feet eight inches and 180 pounds, respectively. The unidentified man's fingerprints have since been obtained, but his dental records were not and his DNA was not possible to use to create a genetic profile to compare to potential matches.[5]

1968 Los Angeles County Jane Doe

An African-American female was found dead on September 30, 1968 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. The woman was estimated to be over the age of twenty five and was at a height of five feet three inches tall and weighed about 110 pounds. Her hair was black and her eyes were brown, coinciding with her race. The teeth were left in a natural condition, as no evidence of dental work was noted. Her wisdom teeth had yet to erupt. The woman wore a pullover shirt, pants, black shoes and matching socks. The colors of the pants and shirt are unknown. She may have died of a drug overdose and her body was abandoned behind a building, presumably transported from the place of death. It is believed she was seen alive immediately prior to her death, but this has not led to the discovery of her identity.[6]

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Photo of "Leroy"

On April 4, 1974, a young white man was found unresponsive in his hotel room by a group of coworkers in Oxnard, California. The man was estimated to be between 18 and 30 years old, was 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 220 pounds. He had brown, shoulder-length hair and a beard as well as hazel eyes. He also had a scar just above his left knee as well as several tattoos including a female head on his right forearm, a cross on the right wrist, a Gothic cross on his upper left arm, the name "Rita" on his left wrist and four dots in a rectangle shape on his left forearm. The man was found wearing a white T-shirt and blue denim pants. He had used the alias "James Allen Chastain" while working in the carnival, and was known by the name "Leroy" to his coworkers. A note with the name "Brad Lee Bodie" was also found in his pocket, but investigators have excluded this as his name. Fingerprints were traced back to a man who had been arrested on March 25, 1974 in Los Angeles, who also was unidentified. [7]

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3D Reconstruction
Profile
Digital Reconstruction with female characteristics
Sketch of pin

On September 26, 1974, the skull, ribs and vertebrae of a young, possibly white, male child were discovered in Mill Valley California, near the Mill Valley Golf Course. He was estimated to be between 4 and 6 years old, and brown hair was found with the skull. He was described as being considerably small for his age. He was found wearing a green windbreaker/ski jacket with a hood, a green and white striped knit shirt, a blue T-shirt, and a red lady bug pin. He was initially thought to be a girl until DNA testing proved otherwise. Cause of death could not be ascertained, however no signs of abuse or malnutrition could be found. [8]

2020 sketch of the Carson Jane Doe

A Hispanic female's body was found in Carson, Los Angeles County, California after she was presumably buried by two Hispanic males fleeing the scene on April 20, 1978. She had pierced ears, painted nails and plucked eyebrows, indicating she made effort toward her appearance. She was five feet two inches tall and weighed 133 pounds at the approximate age of sixteen to twenty years old. After examination of her body, a scar was found on her abdomen and stretch marks were visible on her stomach, possibly due to carrying a child. Her teeth overlapped on the right side of her top set of teeth.[9]

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Sketch

On February 25, 1979, the decomposing corpse of a young African American male was found floating in Lake Perris in Riverside County, California. The man was estimated to be between 25 and 30 years old, was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 210 pounds. He had short black hair and brown eyes, as well as a mustache. The water in which he was found was noted to be particularly cold, as it was the first warm day after a week of rain and cooler weather. He was not identified by anyone at the lake, and investigators could find no unattended vehicle in the area. Investigators could not determine how or when he entered the lake and no trauma was found on his body. His toxicology report also came back empty. [10]

Bell John Doe

The body of a male between fifteen and twenty years old was found on the side of a river after he died hours before in Bell, Los Angeles County, California on September 19, 1979. He had brown hair and brown eyes and wore a leather belt, Hawaiian-style shirt, blue pants and white socks. The decedent was approximately five feet eight inches tall and weighed 139 pounds. The cause of his death has not been published.[11]

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NCMEC Reconstruction

On July 30, 1980, the body of a young Hispanic male was found submerged in a public swimming pool in Pecan Park in Los Angeles, California. The man was estimated to be between 14 and 20 years old, was 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 137 pounds. He had a scar on his forehead above his right eye and a scar on his right elbow. His upper front tooth had a gold crown. He was found wearing a 'Golden Touch' multi-colored shirt, blue slacks, white socks, Jockey shorts and gold sneakers. He was found with $3.37 USD, five keys, two combs, ten firecrackers and a pack of "Zig Zag" brand cigarette rolling papers. A witness said he saw the man go into the pool early in the morning that the man was found and never resurface. He also stated his name might have been "Michael" and he may have lived in Compton. [12]

The skeletonized body of a white male between twenty-two and twenty-eight years of age was found in Sierra Madre, California on January 5, 1981 alongside a river. He was believed to have died one or more years before his body was found. He was between five feet five to five feet eight inches tall and is presumed to be white, although he may have had Asian heritage. He had blond hair and was found wearing a blue jersey with the numbers "44."[13]

Los Angeles County John Doe (1981)

A Hispanic man was killed when his vehicle collided with a light post after he was racing another vehicle on March 15, 1981 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. The victim was estimated to have been between thirty-two and forty-five years old and was at a height of five feet three inches tall and was at a weight of 132 pounds. His eyes and hair were dark, coinciding with the estimation of his race and he had noticeable wear on his teeth. He wore a white T-shirt, tan pants, socks and a brown hat. Despite the fact that the license plate on the 1968 Ford truck he drove was decipherable, he remained unidentified.[14]

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Eyeglasses
Pocket Knife

On January 24, 1983, the decomposing, headless remains of a middle aged white female were discovered by a gardener in Foss Creek behind the Simi Winery in Healdsburg, California. Cause of death could not be ascertained. The woman was estimated to be between 30 and 50 years old, between 5 feet 1 inch and 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed between 100 and 140 pounds. She had brown hair with some graying visible and one leg that was shorter than the other. She was found wearing blue jeans, a single brown sock, a brown ankle-length lace-up boot, a pair of panties, a white metal earring with a greenish stone, and Ful-Vue gold prescription glasses. Food stamps issued in June, 1982 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were found near the body, as well as a Green Girl Scout pocket knife, a green/red cloth tape measure, a metal pencil sharpener, two keys on a paper tag, and two quartz stones. Investigators exhumed the woman's body in 2011 to investigate a potential tie to serial killer Joseph Naso, however no link was found or released. [15] The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with identification of the woman in August, 2020. [16]

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3D Reconstruction

On June 28, 1983, the partial skeletal remains of a young white female were found in Summit Meadow at Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County, California. Cause of death could not be ascertained. The woman was estimated to be between 17 and 25 years old, was between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed between 110 and 125 pounds. She had light brown or blonde hair and buck teeth. She was also described as having a particularly long face for a woman. The only personal effect found with the victim was two silver rings on both hands. Henry Lee Lucas later gave details in a confession about picking up an unidentified woman with Ottis Toole while travelling in California, and gave various details about the location, time, and various items found at Summit Meadow that would not have been known to the general public during the time. It is unsure if this confession was coerced, however. [17]

On New Years Day, 1986, the skeletal remains of a young female of indeterminate race were unearthed from a grave in the desert near Whitewater, California. Cause of death could not be ascertained, and circumstances were not inherently suspicious. She had been buried for at least 10 years in the grave. She was estimated to be between 13 and 17 years old and was between 4 feet 10 inches and 5 feet 2 inches tall. Weight, eye color, and hair color could not be ascertained. [18]

1991 Los Angeles County John Doe

On January 5, 1991, a man's body was found in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. He was between forty and sixty years old, six feet one inch tall and weighed 175 pounds. The man had brown hair, blue eyes and also wore glasses as well as a tattoo on his left arm of the word "animal." He had suffered an injury to one of his knees in the past, which had healed before his death. He was wearing a blue shirt, black jacket, white and blue underwear, black boots, black belt and black pants. He also wore a watch with a broken metal band.[19] He did not have any teeth, though it has not been disclosed if he wore or did not wear dentures.[20] Some sources state he was found unresponsive on a sidewalk and others state he was found in an abandoned car.[21]

On August 13, 1991, the body of a young white woman was found floating in the Sacramento River in Meridian, California. She had drowned in the river in what was believed to be an accident. She was between 18 and 35 years old, was between 5 feet and 5 feet 4 inches tall, and weighed between 100 and 145 pounds. She had short brown hair and hazel-blue eyes. She may have possibly had down syndrome and appeared to have lifted weights in her life. She also had pierced ears. She was found wearing a light blue tank top with blue flowers embroidered onto it, a pair of white jogging shorts with vertical blue-green stripes and white "LA Gear" brand ankle high shoes. Only one set of footprints was found near where the body was found, leading investigators to believe the woman was alone. [22]

1993 Hollywood John Doe

A young man jumped to his death from a hotel on May 15, 1993 in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California. His estimated age was between twenty-five and thirty-five, and he weighed 155 pounds at the height of five feet six to five feet eight inches tall. He was white with possibly some Hispanic characteristics; as he had dark hair, dark eyes and olive-toned skin. The man had a scar on his abdomen, which could assist with his identification. He wore black pants, white socks and shoes, a purple shirt, a necklace, and a black jacket.[23]

1993 Los Angeles County John Doe

A man between thirty and forty-five years old checked into a hotel in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California on October 21, 1993. He signed in using the name "Paul Deering" and provided the address "790 East Ute." In Salt Lake City, Utah. When he failed to check out 2 days later, hotel staff found him slumped in his bed. The victim had committed suicide by ingesting lethal amounts of cyanide. Police discovered that a "Paul Deering" was living in the address the victim provided, but he was confirmed not to be the decedent. He was determined to be Caucasian and had brown hair and blue eyes and was five feet nine inches tall and weighed 182 pounds. The man wore a red shirt with beige pants, underwear and shoes and a belt that were both brown. The victim was likely married, as he wore a ring on his left hand. Apart from this, the only personal item with the body was a set of car keys.[24]

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Sketch

On June 4, 1996, Monterey Park police responded to a group of Asian men holding a group of nine Chinese nationals for a ransom of $35,000 USD. One of the men allegedly shot and killed one of the captors in self defense. Another captor was wounded, and the two others fled. The nine captives, all between the ages of 21 and 45, had been kept in the house they were located in for up to three months. They were allegedly smuggled into the country and then held for ransom.

The captor who had been shot in self defense was an Asian man, between the ages of 22 and 32 years old. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 124 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes as well as scars on his left arm and skin discoloration on his left wrist. He was wearing a pair of light blue shorts, a black belt and a pair of multi-color sandal thongs. [25]

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NCMEC Reconstruction
Original NCMEC Reconstruction with Caucasian characteristics

Reconstruction of Trabuco Canyon John Doe showing Caucasian characteristics. This is now consiedred to be inaccurate.

The skeleton of a male between the ages of fifteen and nineteen was discovered alongside a stream in Trabuco Canyon, California on December 13, 1996, in an area that was "frequented by transients and illegal aliens." The subject was white with Hispanic characteristics and had reddish hair.[26] Because of the state of his remains, his eye color could not be assessed. The male was at a height of between five feet two and five feet eight inches tall and weighed between 130 and 160 pounds. He had poor dental health, as there were some cavities and abscesses were observed along with other problems. The cause of the decedent's death has never been determined and he likely died between January 1995 and June 1996.[27] With the remains, a large white T-shirt was found, along with "bikini" underwear in poor condition and an insole for a shoe. Wires believed to have been intended for electrical use were also found near the site, as well as an elastic cloth band and a "knotted cloth ligature."[28] The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with identifying the body in March, 2020. [29]

An update was released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office in September, 2020, stating that he or his family had come from a remote region of Latin America. His reconstruction by the NCMEC was updated to show more Hispanic characteristics.

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Sketch

On February 10, 1997, a construction crew behind the Desert Crossing Shopping Center in Palm Desert, California discovered a camp with the body of a middle aged white woman inside. Cause of death was found to be complications from heart disease. The woman was estimated to be between 35 and 55 years old, was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 145 pounds. She was found wearing blue jeans, a yellow windbreaker, tan underwear, a white sleeveless shirt, a white and tan shirt, tan jacket, tan bra, a yellow metal wedding ring, an amber pendant and a pair of bifocal eyeglasses. A love letter was found near the decedent, addressed to nobody, and written in both English and Scottish Gaelic. It began with "Dear Love of my heart (A ghraidh mo chridhe)" before fading into nothing. Various greeting cards and prescription bottles were also found by the decedent, all with any identifiers or names torn out or removed. Investigators do not believe that she was a transient, as she had had extensive dental work as well as expensive makeup on her face, but evidence suggested she had lived at the location for a few days and had died a day before.[30]

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Profile

On October 17, 1997, the partial skeletal remains of a young white male were discovered by landowners as they were surveying property lines in Mt. Veeder, California. Only the skull and a few other bones were recovered. Cause of death was found to be a gunshot from a .22 caliber Ruger handgun, which investigators believe was self-inflicted. He was estimated to be between 26 and 32 years old, and was between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall. His weight and eye color could not be ascertained, however investigators described him having a thin to medium build. He was found wearing Levi brand jeans, a multicolored vest, a blue sweatshirt, a navy blue 'Ralph Lauren Polo' brand pullover shirt, a pair of New Balance sneakers, Aviator sunglasses and a handmade leather backpack full of personal items. It contained some Budweiser beer cans, of which the particular brand didn't come out until 1980, and a Ruger Bearcat revolver. The revolver was traced to Phoenix, Arizona, however the serial number could not be deciphered. [31]

Whittier John Doe

A man's body was found on December 30, 1997 in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California. He was white, between thirty and forty-five years old and was missing his left testicle, which may assist in establishing his identity. He had dark hair, brown eyes and wore a beard and mustache. The man had also begun to lose his hair. He was five feet ten inches tall but was underweight, at 105 pounds. He wore a greenish nylon jacket, jeans, boots and a belt.[32][33] Blankets had been placed over his body, although it is not known if they were owned by the man or if they were used to hide the body.[34]

On November 17, 1999, officers responded to a vehicle accident on US Route 101 in Los Angeles, California. The car, a maroon 1985 Mitsubishi Galant, had burst into flames. After the flames were doused, the charred remains of a young, possibly Asian female were found. She was estimated to be between 18 and 35 years old, was between 5 feet and 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed 146 pounds. Hair color and eye color could not be ascertained. The only items of clothing able to be recovered were two pieces of jewelry. The first was a yellow metal ring with a heart shaped clear stone crowned with another stone, a single white metal earring, and a yellow metal 'twisted' chain necklace with a clear necklace shaped like a Hershey's Kiss.

The vehicle had been registered about four months prior to a man with the surname "Yoo", who had sold the vehicle soon after. He claimed to know nothing about the unidentified woman. [35]

Rancho Palos Verdes John Doe

A man was found dead, sitting against a tree, on January 23, 2001 in Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County, California. The subject was of Caucasian descent and was between the ages of forty-five and fifty-six at the time he died, due to unknown circumstances.[36] It is speculated the man could have been a hiker. He was tall, at a height of six feet two inches, and he weighed 183 pounds. His eyes were blue and his hair was gray, which was consistent with his age estimation. The decedent's multiple tattoos included a bird, a lion wearing a crown, the name "Mike," and a sword with a crucifix. Along with a T-shirt, sweatshirt, tan pants, a vest, a belt, and blue shoes, he wore a watch, a ring and a necklace bearing a charm engraved with the name "Michael."[37] The man also had a scar on one knee and had had an appendectomy.[38]

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Sketch

On October 8, 2002, police responded to a single vehicle accident on northbound State Route 67 in Lakeside, California, where a commercial pickup truck rolled over and ejected the sole occupant, killing him. The driver was an Asian-American male between the ages of 18 and 26. No identification could be made on the man. He was 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 150 pounds. He had dark brown/black short hair and brown eyes. As police investigated the truck, they discovered that it was actually stolen. It was also full of stolen mail and various other stolen items. [39]

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On July 18 2004, a vehicle transporting 10 illegal immigrants from Mexico lost control on westbound Interstate 40 in Ludlow, California. A young to middle aged Hispanic woman died from the resulting injuries. She was estimated to be 20 and 40 years old, was between 4 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed between 102 and 117 pounds. She had long black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a white shirt, black jeans, black sneakers and blue socks. Most passengers claimed they were from Santa Lucina Del Camino, Mexico. The woman was travelling with multiple false birth certificates from Mexico with the name "Cristina Roblero Solis" and "Antonia Dominguez Juarez". Investigators have also developed the name "Maria Eugenia Martinez" as a possible identity for the victim. [40]

The body of a woman was found on March 14, 2005 in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. The exact cause of her death is not known, but is regarded as a possible suicide or accidental death. The woman was between thirty and forty-three years old when she was found floating in a body of water, not long after her death. She was possibly named "Martina," who was an immigrant from Germany or a nearby country, as she may have spoken in a heavy accent, and may have lived as a transient or may have been homeless. She was between five feet four to five feet six inches tall and weighed around 134 pounds. The woman's hair was a shoulder length brown with blond highlights. She had green eyes and had an amateurishly placed tattoo on her hand with the words "thank you" under a series of doodle-like symbols. She wore four rings, a plastic necklace, a chain with charms and white-colored metal earrings. The woman was fully clothed with jeans, a striped sweater and some shirts underneath. She was not wearing shoes when she was found.[41] The woman had two cysts on her left wrist.[42]

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Sketch

On January 31, 2006, the body of a young Hispanic female was discovered by a pair of sightseers on the side of the State Route 74 near the San Juan Fire Station in Trabuco Canyon, California. Cause of death could not be ascertained. The woman was estimated to be between 20 and 35 years old, was between 5 feet 1 inch and 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighed between 110 and 115 pounds. She had curly black hair and brown eyes as well as a tattoo of a pink rose with a web design underneath it. She was wearing 'Earl' brand dark blue jeans, a black 'Lycra' brand top, and a light blue bra. The road on which she was found on is described as a shortcut from Lake Elsinore to San Juan Capistrano. Investigators believed she was dumped at the location, however no signs of trauma was found on the body. Cause of death also couldn't be ascertained. [43]

FBI reconstruction of Kings County Jane Doe

A white or Hispanic woman's remains were discovered near Corcoran, Kings County, California on May 13, 2015. She had died about six weeks to a year before. The remains were concealed in a tarp and no cause of death could be determined. She was at least 45 years old, but most likely over the age of 60. She was between 5'0 and 5'6" tall but would have a hunched appearance due to osteoporosis. She is estimated to have weighed between 100 and 160 pounds.[44] Her hair was either gray or a graying blond color.[45] She wore a striped tee-shirt (sold at Walmart), black yoga pants and Depends underwear. She had no teeth and wore no dentures, although it appeared she had been prepared for them.[46]

It is theorized the woman died due to natural causes and her body was concealed so relatives would continue to receive benefits preceding her death.[47]

The DNA Doe Project is currently processing her DNA to locate potential relatives.[48]

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NCMEC Reconstruction
3D Reconstruction
Clothing

On August 9, 2018, a young Hispanic woman was struck by a vehicle as she attempted to cross Interstate 5 in Oceanside, California. Even though she was struck at a low speed, her injuries were severe enough where she had to be airlifted to Scripps Memorial Hospital, where she was put on advanced life support. She never regained consciousness and died in the hospital. The woman was estimated to be a teenager between 13 and 19 years old, was 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 111 pounds. She had long, straight, black hair which was tied with a dark blue scrunchie, and brown eyes. She was wearing a maroon shirt with multicolored figures, dark blue jeans, a pair of tan underwear, a teal and hot pink bra, a blue and black sock, and a pair of gray, blue and pink sneakers. [49]