Who is Jane Doe?

On August 3, 1969, the body of a young woman was found stabbed to death on a gravel road off of Highway 1, south of Lompoc, California. Thirty-five years later, her identity and that of her killer remain a mystery.

In 2002, best-selling mystery novelist Sue Grafton learned of the case. She based her book, "Q is for Quarry" on the case. She also became involved with the real-life case, including underwriting the cost of exhuming Jane Doe's body so that DNA sampling and a facial reconstruction could be done.

In September, 2004, I wrote a two-part feature chronicling the case and Sue Grafton's involvement. While researching that feature, I viewed photos of the crime scene, visited the site where Jane Doe's body was found and her grave, and read the coroner's autopsy report. I also spoke with retired Detective Sergeant Bill Turner, of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, and with the investigators now working Jane Doe's case. I also had the opportunity to speak with Sue Grafton about her involvement with the case.

My feature was published in the Lompoc Record and the Santa Maria Times. That feature is reproduced here, along with a few photos I took during my visit to the site where Jane Doe's body was found.

Despite the passage of 35 years, the dedicated officers of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department remain optimistic they will solve the case. Anyone who recognizes Jane Doe or has information relevant to this case is urged to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.

My Feature Article

• Part 1, published Sunday, September 5, 2004

• Part 2, published Monday, September 6, 2004

Photos

• The road leading to the site where Jane Doe's body was discovered.

• The scene of Jane Doe's murder, as it appears today. Her body was resting near the pile of rocks in the center of the picture.

The scene of Jane Doe's murder, as it appeared in 1969. This view is looking down from the top of the embankment; the photographer would have been standing near the green car and the white-tipped post in the previous picture.

• The pattern of Jane Doe's pants. The investigators who worked the case speculated that Jane's pants were homemade, and hoped that someone would recognize the distinctive pattern.
• Detective Sgt. Bill Turner (Retired)

My Meeting with Sue Grafton

Shortly after writing my article, I had an opportunity to meet Sue Grafton at the Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival, where she was receiving the Ross Macdonald Award. This award is given to " A California writer whose work raises the standard of literary excellence".

I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet Sue, whose work I've admired for many years. She autographed my copy of "Q is for Quarry", and I had a chance to chat with her about writing and about her books.

These photos were taken on that day:

• Sue and I
• Sue autographed my copy of "Q is for Quarry"
• Sue and the Ross Macdonald Award she received

This article was written and all photos were taken by Tammy Cravit.
The articles and first group of photos reproduced here are Copyright © 2004, Pulitzer Central Coast Newspapers, and are reproduced with permission.