The person at the center of this case
Jane Doe - Newark, California (unidentified White female)
Violent Crime · Open / Unsolved
41 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 dental features - missing bottom two front teeth (antemortem loss, likely since childhood) - could help identify victim through dental records
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evidence
Lead #2Multiple pieces of jewelry recovered including red/orange dangling glass earrings, Timex watch with black strap, and two white metal rings (one with pink stone, one with '69' marking) - may help trace identity or origin
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person
Lead #3Who was this woman and why was she in a Newark field? Any missing persons reports from 1983-1985 matching her description?
On October 24, 1985, skeletal remains of an unidentified White female were discovered in a field near Mowry Avenue in Newark, California, approximately two miles from I-880. The victim, estimated to be between 25 and 36 years old, had been shot and likely died one to two years before discovery. Despite distinctive identifying features including missing front teeth, shoulder-length brown/red hair, and multiple pieces of jewelry, her identity remains unknown after nearly four decades.
Case
#994
FBI Violent Crimes Against Persons (VICAP); Alameda County authorities
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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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suspect
Lead #4What evidence exists regarding the shooting? Who had access to this remote field location?
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timeline
Lead #5Can the estimated death window be narrowed through forensic analysis or witness accounts of activity in the field?
Have information about any of these leads?
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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1983-10-24
Estimated death window begins
Victim likely died approximately two months to one year before October 1985 discovery
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1985-10-24
Remains discovered
Nearly skeletal remains found in field next to Mowry Avenue, approximately two miles from I-880 in Newark, California
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 24, 1983
Last Updated:October 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:October 24, 1983
Last Updated:October 29, 2026