The person at the center of this case
Margaret Mary Hart
Cold Case · Open
47 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 is the significance of the jewelry found with Hart—the necklace with catgut/fishing line and the ring inscribed 'Love M.W.B.'—and who does 'M.W.B.' refer to?
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evidence
Lead #2Hart's t-shirt read 'Keep the Magic'—does this phrase have personal meaning or connection to a specific person or location?
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clue
Lead #3Hart had knee surgery earlier in 1979 that limited her mobility—how did this affect her movements and who may have known about her condition?
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 body was discovered by teenagers hiking near Transmountain Road in a badly decomposed state, and she had been murdered. Despite decades of investigation, the identity of her killer remains unknown, and the FBI continues to seek information about the circumstances surrounding her death and who may have been 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.
👤
person
Lead #4Hart had previous ties to Illinois, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona—did she have connections or relationships in those states that warrant investigation?
👁️
witness
Lead #5Who were the teenagers that discovered the body, and did they provide any additional details about the scene or suspicious activity in the area?
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
Body Discovery
Teenagers hiking near Transmountain Road on military property in the Franklin Mountains discovered badly decomposed human remains identified as Margaret Mary Hart.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 9, 1979
Last Updated:September 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:September 9, 1979
Last Updated:September 9, 2026