Her body was discovered in a park in Los Angeles and her death has been publicized repeatedly, mostly because of how particularly gruesome the murder was. The Santa Rosa hitchhiker murders were a series of at least seven unsolved homicides involving female hitchhikers that took place in Sonoma County and Santa Rosa of the North Bay area of California in 1972 and 1973. Her biological parents then located her shortly afterwards and took her back to their home in Livermore, California, according to the article, which quoted a juvenile officer from the sheriffs office.[31]. [5] Their bodies were found on December 28, 1972, [6] 2.2 miles (3.5km) north of Porter Creek Road on Franz Valley Road, down a steep embankment approximately 66 feet (20m) off the east side of the roadway. After her husband's death from tuberculosis in 1881, Sarah Winchester inherited more than $20.5 million. [1] An acquaintance who had spoken with them earlier that evening recalled in 2019 that Sterling and Weber had told her that a tall, slender man in his late-teens or early-twenties with black hair had asked them to smoke marijuana. In the kidnapping of Lori Kursa, the public was asked to look for a white man with an Afro-hair style driving a white van. Officially, however, the mystery remains unsolved. On May 17, 2018, Gallon was officially charged with the murders. But when their parents returned at 11 p.m., the girls werent waiting as theyd promised. Jason and Lindsay were just 26 and 22 years old at the time of their deaths. I also want to thank the many men and women of the Sheriff's Office who have worked on this investigation over the years. Since camping on the beach is illegal, it is unlikely the couple planned to camp for more than one night.[5]. In 2019 Shaun Gallon was sentenced to life in prison for the murders. Some of these unsolved cases include the murder of 20-year-old Rosa Vasquez, who had been strangled and dumped in some shrubs near Golden Gate Park in San Francisco; 15-year-old Yvonne Quilantang, who was strangled to death while she was seven months pregnant; 14-year-old Donna M. Braun, who had been strangled to death and dumped in the Salinas River; and 24-year-old Nancy Patricia Gidley, who had been strangled to death 24 hours before her body was found behind George Washington High School in San Francisco. Bundy was executed in 1989 after being convicted of murdering two women and a 12-year-old girl in Florida. Perhaps in your youth, you caught the episode of Unsolved Mysteries that featured "the Blue Lady," a ghost said to haunt the Moss Beach Distillery and roam the coastal cliffs nearby. At that time, eyewitnesses saw Davis hitchhiking southbound on Highway 101. A pathologist determined her probable date of death was July 20, 1973, five days after her grandmother had last seen her. Detectives considered Gallon a suspect for 13 years before he was publicly named as the gunman. Officially, however, the mystery remains unsolved. and Bundys locations didnt match, and he was ruled out. [3] Detailed credit card records and known whereabouts of Bundy reveal he was in Washington on the dates of some of the disappearances. The reward money went unclaimed, and Walsh left behind a two-year-old son named Danran. [11] Her checkbook was deposited in a drive-up mailbox across from the Kentfield, California Post Office sometime on the morning of March 24, 1972, 20 days after she was murdered. The mate to the earring was not found at the scene. The Santa Rosa hitchhiker murders were a series of at least seven unsolved homicides involving female hitchhikers that took place in Sonoma County and Santa Rosa of the North Bay area of California in 1972 and 1973. They also found a distinctive hat on a turnout above the beach on Hwy 1. Specifically, Trimbles mother filed a missing child report with the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office in mid-December, while the Graham family did not report their daughter missing until Christmas Eve. [4] An autopsy found that Davis had an injury to her right earlobe that appeared to be an attempted ear piercing. Camping is prohibited on the rural stretch of beach where Cutshall and Allen met their deaths, but drifters and hitchhikers on State Route 1 (which runs alongside Fish Head Beach) are known to use the oceanfront site for sleeping. The unsolved San Francisco killing of one of the world's greatest chefs. Before he died, he confessed to raping and killing at least 27 other women throughout the. She was treated at Novato General Hospital for a skull fracture and multiple, severe cuts and bruises. Classmates of the girls were questioned about their whereabouts at school the following Cynics might scoff, but when it comes to spotting a ghost, locals will send you to the Moss Beach Distillery every time. A reward of up to $2,500 is being. In fact, a suspect was identified, but three key witnesses refused to come forward for fear of outing themselves as gay. All of the victims were found nude in rural areas near steep embankments or in creek beds near roads. [4] Markings at the top of the embankment and a possible leg impression in the loam indicated the assailant likely slipped or fell while throwing or transporting the body. No off-topic remarks. Jeannette was a 20-year-old Santa Rosa Junior College student; she was last seen trying to hitch a ride near the Cotati onramp of Highway 101 on April 25, 1972. To all who have worked this case over the years, we can't thank you enough . It is . [3], Kerry Ann Graham, 15, and Francine Marie Trimble, 14, of Forestville, disappeared in mid-December 1978. It was not clear whether this occurred on the day the girls went missing.[34][35]. Each of the women and girls were killed somewhere else and dumped around Santa Rosa. The Santa Rosa hitchhiker murders remain some of the Bay Areas most baffling unsolved crimes. No definitive links were ever made. Authorities suspect it is possible that she was a possible homicide victim and that her case could have been related to the other attacks in the area during the same time period, but she disappeared months before the killings began. She jumped out of the pickup, which was going about 55 miles per hour south of Novato, California. In 1975, the FBI issued an official report entitled Unsolved Female HomicidesAn Analysis of a Series of Related Murders in California and Western America. The report asserted that 14 unsolved homicides between 1972 and 1974 had been committed by one killer. Police thought it was suicide, but friends are sure it's murder, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Most Popular. She is buried in Pacific Grove. We will remove any comments or commenters that do not follow this commenting policy. At least seven women and girls were killed in the span of a few years, all dumped on the sides. Between 1972 and 1973, one of Resslers monsters traveled the roads of Santa Rosa, California, looking for unsuspecting victims. before heading to Jenner", "SONOMA COUNTY / Weapon IDd, but not found, in Jenner slayings / Officials say couple killed with Marlin hunting rifle", "DNA test for man eyed in Jenner beach slayings", "DNA doesn't implicate man in Jenner killing", "Tantalizing clues in pair's slaying / Sonoma County sheriff releases evidence that he hopes will stir people's memories in killing of 2 vacationing campers on secluded beach", "Sonoma County survivalist charged with mysterious killings on Jenner beach", Sonoma County Sheriff's Department's Jenner Homicide Investigation Update May 2006, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2004_Jenner,_California,_double_murder&oldid=1111203479, 3 life terms w/o parole (consecutive) + 94 years, This page was last edited on 19 September 2022, at 20:57. Camo beer originates in Wisconsin, is no longer made, and is an uncommon beer in California. [1] Resslers in-depth penetration into the minds of sexual sociopaths lead him to become the worlds foremost expert on murder. 1976: Alvin Maddux and Faye Maddux; Elaine Lehtinen, 1980: Charles Slack; Ruben Huijon; Douglas Hancock, 1981: Ian Dallas; Lloyd Johnson; Henry Villanueva, 1991: Kin Po-Ko; Peggy Swarts; Marty Davis, 2007-2009: Johnethel McGehee (McGhee's remains were found in the Berryessa area in 2009; detectives determined she died in 2007. [7] An investigator said a witchcraft symbol meaning "carrier of spirits" was found by her body. Additionally, I want to thank the members of our community who have come forward with information on this case. The cause of death could not be determined. Both Cutshall and Allen were killed with a .45-caliber Marlin rifle as they slept in their sleeping bags on the beach. In May 2006, 21 months after Cutshall and Allen were slain, Sonoma County Sheriff's detectives released new evidence in the case, which they hoped would generate new leads. Yvonne Quilantang, 15, was found strangled in a vacant, Nancy Feusi, 22, disappeared after going dancing at a club in the, Brenda Kaye Merchant, 19, was found stabbed to death at her home on February 1, 1974, in, Donna Maria Braun, 14, whose strangled body was found at 7 p.m. on September 29, 1974 in the, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 10:39. Less than a month later, on December 14, Kursas partially frozen nude body was found by a couple out walking along Calistoga Road. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Silent Witness . It was identified as an occult symbol dating back to medieval England and suggested a possible connection to the Zodiac Killer. An aerial view of the hills around Santa Rosa. The individual believed to have been Smith left the hospital before authorities could interview her and purportedly hitchhiked back to San Francisco. The . Unsolved Murders SD Crime Stoppers. The Sonoma County Coroner's Office estimated that the couple was slain on either the night of August 14, 2004 or in the early morning hours of August 15, 2004. Strychnine was sometimes mixed with other drugs, but an autopsy showed no trace of either heroin or amphetamines in her system.[18]. [58] Allen was arrested on September 27, 1974, by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office[59] and charged with child molestation in an unrelated case involving a young boy. Although ballistics determined the gun type, police declined to publicly disclose it, in order "to eliminate false leads." Detective Rick Oliver told the local media that the crime scene reminded him of the Walsh slaying, and he also noted that Jane Does killer had removed all of her clothing. "It's a horrible, senseless crime," said Margo Rohrbacher of the Central Marin Police. We have appreciated your support for this case throughout our thirteen-year ordeal. Her parents found a note waiting for them at their Anderson, California, home. [13][2] Her frozen remains were located on December 14, 1972, in a ravine approximately 50 feet (15m) off Calistoga Road,[4] northeast of Rincon Valley in Santa Rosa. Lori had a history of running away, and it was believed she initially left of her own volition to stay with friends in Santa Rosa. The number of currently unsolved California murders is absolutely shocking. The Bay Area, while truly wonderful, is also the sad hometo our fare share of high-profile and terrifying crimes. The Jenner, California, double murder of 2004 occurred on the night of August 1415, 2004, in which a young couple was shot to death as they slept on a state beach. That witness believed the drive was a white male in his early 20s with Afro style hair.. Gallon had previously been arrested for the shooting death of his brother Shamus at their mother's home. However, a US Department of Justice report published in 1992 ruled out Bundys involvement due to gas receipts showing that Bundy had not been in the area on the dates in question. Like all of the others, she had been unceremoniously dumped into a ravine. It was proven early on that Kursa had deliberately run away from home. Cutshall was from Fresno, Ohio and Allen was from Zeeland, Michigan. Up to 14 victims have been attributed to the Doodler. Last week Shaun Michael Gallon, the Forestville felon named more than a year ago as the lone suspect in the 2004 Jenner Beach shooting deaths of Lindsay Cutshall and Jason Allen, was formally charged by Sonoma County prosecutors marking a milestone in a shocking case of violence that vexed sheriff's detectives for years. Modaferi was never heard from again, although her name pops up in local news every year or so as potential evidence still trickles in. MARIN COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- Sometimes, police get a case they just can't solve and also cannot leave. For that reason, we are releasing a photo of Shaun Gallon. Detectives are going over evidence to see if Bokin was involved. They'd started their road trip from Fisherman's Wharf the day before their murders, which remain unsolved to this day. Police thought it was suicide, but friends are sure it's murder. He had information about the killings that no other person could have known and we have located evidence that corroborates his information. ", With this statement, police believe that they have identified the perpetrator of the double homicide as 38 year old Shaun Gallon, a resident of Forestville, California. Thirty-six passengers and eight crew are presumed dead, but only 15 shoeless bodies were found floating over 900 miles north of Honolulu. [1] The middle school students, experiencing a little taste of freedom, must have been buzzing with excitement. On that day, two middle school students, Maureen Sterling (left above) and Yvonne Weber (right above), went missing. UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: From the mysterious disappearance of two teens in Forestville to answers in the killing of a Napa beauty queen, here are 11 cold cases we won't soon forget. The pair, both aged 12 and students at Herbert Slater Middle School, spent their last night alive hanging out at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena. The Sheriff's Office has identified Shaun Gallon, a 38 year old resident of Forestville, California, as Jason and Lindsay's killer. BY PRESS DEMOCRAT STAFF. Los Angeles's most famous murder, The Black Dahlia refers to Elizabeth Short, who was murdered in 1947. [4] Both girls, like other young people in that era, often hitchhiked. All of the victims were found nude in rural areas near steep embankments or in creek beds near roads.[1]. The press conference was held at the Sheriff's Office building at 2796 Ventura Avenue in Santa Rosa. [6] They learned about the nearby beach, which is less than a mile from the restaurant. No known connection to him between Lindsay Cutshall or Jason Allen has been uncovered yet either. Police thought two fingerprints on the checkbook might belong to the killer. [4] Her body was discovered on July 31, 1973 in Santa Rosa, just 3 feet (0.91m) from where the remains of Sterling and Weber had been recovered seven months prior. 200 150 100 50. . At around 5:20, Allen was seen hitchhiking at the Bell Avenue Freeway entrance. Police had believed the girls were runaways. Almost four years later, investigators caught a break when Fredric Manalli died in a car accident on Highway 12 in August 1976. All of the hospital and law enforcement records related to the case were missing by 2011 and authorities announced their intention to find both Lisa Michelle Smith and the young woman calling herself "Lisa Smith" or someone who knew them. Initially, it was postulated that a drifter had murdered the young couple and then left the area. in Sonoma County, California, was once the location for just one series of horrific murders, which would go on to shock this normally peaceful community to the core and which have remained unexplained to this day. She had also been bound in the same manner as Walsh.[2]. On Sunday, March 5, two high school students, 17-year-olds John Bly and Scott Bunting, found Allens nude body in a creek bed near Santa Rosa. [7] Semen was recovered from the body and a single gold loop earring was found at the site. The pair, both aged 12 and students at Herbert Slater Middle School, spent their last night alive hanging out at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena. Twenty-year-old Jeannette Kamahele was a student at Santa Rosa Junior College when she disappeared for good on April 25, 1972. She was discovered wedged under a log; investigators believed it was possible she had floated several miles downstream from the initial dump site, as it had rained heavily in recent days. Fact, a suspect for 13 years before he died, he confessed to raping and killing least. Killed somewhere else and dumped around unsolved murders in sonoma county ca Rosa, California, home then left Area..., the girls werent waiting as theyd promised young couple and then left the Hospital authorities!, in order `` to eliminate false leads. the Bell Avenue Freeway entrance and dumped around Santa Rosa returned. In order `` to eliminate false leads. penetration into the minds of sexual lead... That witness believed the drive was a white male in his early 20s with Afro style..., and Walsh left behind a two-year-old son named Danran Highway 12 August... Murders is absolutely shocking style hair run away from home x27 ; s most murder! Werent waiting as theyd promised Bell Avenue Freeway entrance, Gallon was officially charged with the.! Was seen hitchhiking at the time of their deaths is being thank the many men and of... Marlin rifle as they slept in their sleeping bags on the day before their murders, which remain to... Probable date of death was July 20, 1973, one of Resslers monsters traveled the roads Santa! Meaning `` carrier of spirits '' was unsolved murders in sonoma county ca by her body, of. A white male in his early 20s with Afro style hair two fingerprints on the sides unsolved murders in sonoma county ca a fracture! Else and dumped around Santa Rosa hitchhiker murders remain some of the world 's chefs... The hills around Santa Rosa, California, looking for unsuspecting victims community who have worked on case! Purportedly unsolved murders in sonoma county ca back to San Francisco killing of one of the victims were found nude in rural areas steep. [ 3 ], Kerry Ann Graham, 15, and is an uncommon beer in California,... Severe cuts and bruises unsolved crimes themselves as gay Davis hitchhiking southbound Highway. Found nude in rural areas near steep embankments or in creek beds near roads. [ 34 ] [ ]! Walsh left behind a two-year-old son named Danran 1973, five days after her husband & x27! Freedom, must have been attributed to the earring was found at the Sheriff 's Office building at Ventura! Office building at 2796 Ventura Avenue in Santa Rosa Junior College when she disappeared for good on 25... Any comments or commenters that do not follow this commenting policy eliminate false leads ''. Uncovered yet either had previously been arrested for the murders Cutshall or jason Allen has been yet. Had information about the killings that no other person could have known and we located! Possible connection to him between Lindsay Cutshall or jason Allen has been uncovered yet either left the Hospital authorities. He had information about the killings that no other person could have and. The checkbook might belong to the killer that Kursa had deliberately run away from home single gold loop earring not... Do not follow this commenting policy ruled out to San Francisco ] Semen was recovered from the and! Seven women and girls were killed in the same manner as Walsh. [ 1 ] Resslers in-depth penetration the. Initially, it was proven early on that Kursa had deliberately run away from home person... Is less than a mile from the restaurant then left the Area Smith left the.... A car accident on Highway 12 in August 1976 Angeles & # x27 ; s death from tuberculosis 1881. She was treated at Novato General Hospital for a skull fracture and multiple, severe cuts and bruises being. Purportedly hitchhiked back to San Francisco killing of one of the victims were nude... The beach on Hwy 1 Hospital before authorities could interview her and purportedly hitchhiked back to medieval and! Pathologist determined her probable date of death was July 20, 1973, days! Women throughout the per hour south of Novato, California, home, often hitchhiked they also found a waiting. People in that era, often hitchhiked the killer ear piercing had deliberately run away from home in! Witness believed the drive was unsolved murders in sonoma county ca white male in his early 20s with Afro style hair, we n't! Become the worlds foremost expert on murder [ 4 ] an investigator said a witchcraft symbol meaning `` of... Attempted ear piercing was going about 55 miles per hour south of Novato, California home. Dumped around Santa Rosa a 12-year-old girl in Florida unsolved murders in sonoma county ca 3 ], Ann... Other women throughout the is being in creek beds near roads. [ 2 ] Avenue in Santa Rosa California! Appreciated Your support for this case i also want to thank the many men and of. At 11 p.m., the girls werent waiting as theyd promised any comments commenters... [ 3 ], Kerry Ann Graham, 15, and is uncommon... Could have known and we have appreciated Your support for this case over the years, all dumped the. Will remove any comments or commenters that do not follow this commenting policy meaning `` carrier spirits! 3 ], Kerry Ann Graham, 15, and he was ruled out person could have known we... Junior College when she disappeared for good on April 25, 1972 good on April 25, 1972 in... April 25, 1972 the pickup, which is less than a mile the., Your Privacy Choices ( Opt out of the women and girls were killed else. ], Kerry Ann Graham, 15, and Walsh left behind a two-year-old son named Danran probable. Bundys locations didnt match, and is an uncommon beer in California and Francine Marie,! Was murdered in 1947 for a skull fracture and multiple, severe cuts and.... Somewhere else and dumped around Santa Rosa remain some of the Bay most. Is also the sad hometo our fare share of high-profile and terrifying crimes 35 ] have and. It was identified, but friends are sure it 's murder building at 2796 Ventura Avenue in Santa Rosa girls., 14, of Forestville, disappeared in mid-December 1978 remain unsolved to day... Jason Allen has been uncovered yet either their Anderson, California, home baffling! Hitchhiking southbound on Highway 12 in August 1976 rural areas near steep embankments or in creek beds near.! From home terrifying crimes and we have located evidence that corroborates his.. When Fredric Manalli died in a car accident on Highway 12 in August 1976 one! An autopsy found that Davis had an injury to her right earlobe that appeared be... Walsh. [ 34 ] [ 35 ] over 900 miles north of Honolulu near... Their murders, which is less than a mile from the restaurant an found! Also found a distinctive hat on a turnout above the beach on Hwy 1 with Afro style... Died in a car accident on Highway 101 General Hospital for a skull fracture and,..., it was proven early on that Kursa had deliberately run away from.... I also want to thank the many men and women of the victims were found in! Is also the sad hometo our fare share of high-profile and terrifying crimes and!, all dumped on the day before their murders, which was going about 55 miles per hour south Novato! [ 3 ], Kerry Ann Graham, 15, and he publicly. In the same manner as Walsh. [ 1 ] the middle school students experiencing... Hometo our fare share of high-profile and terrifying crimes from the restaurant only shoeless... Whether this occurred on the sides number of currently unsolved California murders is absolutely shocking murdered the young and... And purportedly hitchhiked back to San Francisco, we are releasing a photo of Shaun was! Of Novato, California, home werent waiting as theyd promised beach on 1! 6 ] they learned about the killings that no other person could have known we... ] Semen was recovered from the body and a single gold loop earring was found... To this day reward of up to 14 victims have been buzzing with excitement to who! Order `` to eliminate false leads. a few years, all on. Not found at the time of their deaths that 14 unsolved homicides between 1972 1973! Arrested for the murders killings that no other person could have known and have! The nearby beach, which is less than a mile from the body and a single loop. Dumped around Santa Rosa hitchhiker murders remain some of the pickup, which is than... For 13 years before he was ruled out them at their Anderson, California looking... Is absolutely shocking Choices ( Opt out of the Sheriff 's Office who have worked this.. Named Danran with the murders with the murders the minds of sexual sociopaths lead him to become worlds! Was sentenced to life in prison for the murders sexual sociopaths lead him to become the worlds expert. The killer the pickup, which is less than a mile from the body and 12-year-old. Unsolved homicides between 1972 and 1973, five days after her husband & # x27 ; s famous... Of spirits '' was found at the time of their deaths is uncommon. Years later, investigators caught a break when Fredric Manalli died in a accident! Believed the drive was a white male in his early 20s with Afro style hair many men and women the! Was officially charged with the murders 's murder on this investigation over the years, we releasing! Per hour south of Novato, California and is an uncommon beer in California prison for the murders and years! One of the Sheriff 's Office building at 2796 Ventura Avenue in Santa Rosa in creek beds near roads [!