The person at the center of this case
Jane Doe - Newark, California (unidentified White female)
Violent Crime · Open - Unsolved
40 years waiting · since 1985
JANE DOE - NEWARK, CALIFORNIA
Justice for Jane Doe - Newark, California (unidentified White female) — the trail went cold in 1985, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1Distinctive missing front teeth (antemortem loss) and multiple pieces of jewelry including red/orange dangling earrings, Timex watch, and rings with specific markings - could aid identification
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person
Lead #2Brown/red/auburn shoulder-length hair, 5'6" to 5'8" tall, estimated age 25-36 - who was this woman and did anyone report her missing?
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suspect
Lead #3Victim was shot; who had access to this field and knowledge of the victim's location?
On October 24, 1985, skeletal remains of an unidentified White female were discovered in a field near Mowry Avenue in Newark, California. The victim, estimated to be 25-36 years old and standing 5'6" to 5'8", had been shot and dead for approximately two months to one year. Despite distinctive identifying features including missing front teeth, shoulder-length brown/red hair, and distinctive jewelry, her identity remains unknown after nearly four decades.
Case
#994
FBI Violent Crimes Against Persons (VICAP) / Alameda County
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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witness
Lead #4Were there any reports of gunshots or suspicious activity near Mowry Avenue in Newark during 1984-1985?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
October 24, 1985 Newark, California On October 24, 1985, the nearly skeletal remains of an unidentified White female were discovered in a field next to Mowry Avenue in Newark, California (Alameda county), located approximately two miles from I-880. The victim had been shot and is estimated to have died approximately two months to one year prior.
Forensic anthropologists determined the victim was approximately 5’6” to 5’8” with brown/red/auburn shoulder-length hair and between the ages of 25 and 36. Her bottom two front teeth were missing and are believed to have been missing for some time (possibly since childhood) as the other teeth had grown together to close the gap.
She was recovered wearing multiple items of jewelry (no pictures available). Remarks: Her bottom two front teeth were missing (antemortem).
She was recovered wearing multiple pieces of jewelry including: red/orange dangling glass earrings with red lower design and metal framework; a Timex wrist watch with black strap; a white metal ring with a pink stone surrounded by small white stones; a white metal ring with the number "69" present on both sides of the band; and two yellow plastic barrettes.
Timeline of Events
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1985-10-24
Remains discovered
Nearly skeletal remains of unidentified female found in field near Mowry Avenue, approximately two miles from I-880
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1985-08-24
Estimated time of death window begins
Victim estimated to have died approximately two months to one year prior to discovery
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 24, 1985
Last Updated:September 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:October 24, 1985
Last Updated:September 9, 2026