The person at the center of this case
Margaret Mary Hart
Cold Case · Open
46 years waiting · since 1979
MARGARET MARY HART
Justice for Margaret Mary Hart — the trail went cold in 1979, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What do the initials 'M.W.B.' on Hart's gold ring signify, and could they identify a significant person in her life?
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evidence
Lead #2Hart had recent knee surgery that limited her mobility—how did she reach the remote Franklin Mountains location?
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person
Lead #3Hart had previous ties to Illinois, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona—did she have connections or associates in those states who may have information?
Margaret Mary Hart, a 25-year-old woman, was found dead on military property in the Franklin Mountains near El Paso, Texas on September 9, 1979. Her badly decomposed remains were discovered by teenagers hiking near Transmountain Road; she was found nude with her clothing nearby, bearing distinctive jewelry including a necklace with an ivory heart and a ring inscribed 'Love M.W.B.' The circumstances of her death remain unsolved, and investigators seek information about her final days and the identity of those responsible.
Case
#456
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) El Paso Field Office
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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.
👁️
witness
Lead #4Who were the teenagers that discovered the remains, and did they observe any other evidence or details at the scene?
💡
clue
Lead #5The distinctive necklace made of catgut/fishing line with metal doves and ivory heart is a unique identifier—has anyone recognized this jewelry?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Homicide Victim El Paso, Texas September 9, 1979 The Federal Bureau of Investigation's El Paso Field Office is seeking information regarding the death of Margaret Mary Hart. On September 9, 1979, a group of teenagers hiking in the area near Transmountain Road found badly decomposed human remains on military property in the Franklin Mountains.
The body was later identified as Margaret Mary Hart. Hart's body was found nude, with her clothing nearby.
Her t-shirt read “Keep the Magic.” Hart was found with two pieces of jewelry. Her necklace was made of catgut or fishing line with a small ivory heart framed by two metal doves, and her gold-colored ring was inscribed with, "Love M.W.B.” Hart had surgery on her right knee earlier in the same year in which she was murdered, which hindered her mobility.
Remarks: Hart previously had ties to Illinois, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona. She attended the following schools in El Paso: St.
Joseph’s Parochial School, Loretto Academy, and possibly Burges High School.
Timeline of Events
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1979-09-09
Human remains discovered
Teenagers hiking near Transmountain Road on military property in the Franklin Mountains found badly decomposed human remains, later identified as Margaret Mary Hart.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 9, 1979
Last Updated:May 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:September 9, 1979
Last Updated:May 9, 2026