Decedent's necklace and charm; crime scene.
Decedent's necklace and charm; crime scene.
Date of Discovery: June 26, 1983
Location of Discovery: Crescenta Valley, Los Angeles County, California
Estimated Date of Death: Less than two hours prior to discovery
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Charred/burned
Cause of Death: Homicide
Estimated Age: 16-28 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Blonde with a light-red tint, long, straight
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Short stature and small build. Delicate facial features.
Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.
Clothing: Unknown.
Jewelry: Yellow metal chain with a small yellow metal charm that had the inscription "14K GOLD" or "MK GOLD"; Yellow metal watch band; Metallic item.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown.
On the morning of June 26, 1983, a citizen reported a vehicle fire at an abandoned stone quarry in the Angeles National Forest. Firefighters extinguished the fire and found the decedent deceased inside an abandoned trailer, which was located at 13707 Little Tujunga Canyon Drive in Crescenta Valley, California. The trailer had been set on fire and the decedent was burned beyond recognition. She had a wire wrapped around her neck.
Suspect Melvin Smith was arrested and sentenced to 25 years. He admitted that he picked the victim up at Sepulveda and Ventura Boulevard, sometime after 4:00 on the morning of the murder. The suspect admitted beating the victim until she did not move anymore. The crime was committed in an abandoned trailer at location.
Agency Name: County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner
Agency Contact Person: Betsy Magdaleno, Medicolegal Death Investigator
Agency Phone Number: 323-343-0512
Agency E-Mail: IDunit(at)coroner.lacounty.gov
Agency Case Number: 1983-7963
Agency Name: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - Homicide Cold Case Unit
Agency Contact Person: Unknown
Agency Phone Number: 323-890-5500
Agency E-Mail: homicideops(at)lasd.org OR LACountyMurders(at)lasd.org
Agency Case Number: 1983-01873-1251-011 / Jane Doe # 56
NCIC Case Number: U570016326
NamUs Case Number: UP4273
NCMEC Case Number: 1106246
NamUs
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - Homicide Cold Case Unit
Added: 09/17/2007; Last Updated: 04/07/2022
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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