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
🔍
evidence
Lead #1What do the initials 'M.W.B.' on the gold ring signify, and who was this person in Hart's life?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2The distinctive necklace with catgut/fishing line, ivory heart, and metal doves—was this handmade or custom jewelry that could help identify the maker or giver?
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clue
Lead #3Why was Hart found on military property, and did she have any connection to military personnel or installations?
On September 9, 1979, Margaret Mary Hart, a 25-year-old woman, was found dead on military property in the Franklin Mountains near El Paso, Texas—her body discovered by hiking teenagers in an advanced state of decomposition. She was found nude with her clothing nearby, bearing distinctive jewelry including a necklace with an ivory heart and doves, and a ring inscribed 'Love M.W.B.' that may identify a significant person in her life. Despite decades of investigation, her killer remains unknown, and the FBI continues seeking information about her final days and any individuals connected to the cryptic inscriptions on her jewelry.
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.
⏰
timeline
Lead #4Given her recent knee surgery that limited mobility, how did Hart reach the remote Franklin Mountains location, and with whom?
👤
person
Lead #5Hart had ties to Illinois, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona before El Paso—did anyone from those states have involvement in her death?
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 discovered by hikers
Group of teenagers found badly decomposed human remains on military property in the Franklin Mountains near Transmountain Road. Body later identified as Margaret Mary Hart.
📋
1979-01-01
Recent knee surgery
Hart had undergone surgery on her right knee earlier in 1979, which hindered her mobility at time of death.
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