NV SAHARA SUE: WF, 17-25, found in Las Vegas , NV - 14 August 1979 *GWENN STORY*

The decedent was found in the vacant parking lot of the old El Rancho property. She was found partially disrobed lying face down. She had no identification on her person.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

IDENTIFIED 2023! Sahara Sue is the informal nickname given to a murder victim who was found in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 14, 1979

Recent developments indicate she may have used the name "'Shawna" or "Shauna" when she was alive.

www.crimewatchers.net

*CLICK THE REPORT BUTTON IF YOU'D LIKE THIS CASE MOVED TO THE GENERAL DISCUSSION AREA TO BE OPENED FOR COMMENTING.

 

[Akoya]

http://canyouidentifyme.org/ClarkNevadaJaneDoeAugust1979

Clark Nevada Jane Doe August 1979

Doe Alias :
Sahara Sue
Date Found :
Tuesday, August 14, 1979
Location Found:
Found in the parking lot of a closed casino at Las Vegas Boulevard South and Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada.
County Found:
Clark
State Found:
Nevada
Est Date of Death:
Approximately one day prior to discovery.
Cause of Death:
Homicide
Sex:
Female
Race:
Caucasian
Age Minimum :
15
Age Maximum:
25
Height Minimum:
5'6"
Weight:
100lbs
Eye Color:
Brown
Hair Color:
Brown
Dental:
Available: No teeth. Upper denture present when discovered. Lower denture missing.
Clothing :
Blue jeans. Green or blue-green blouse with floral designs and sequins.
Jewelry:
White metal ring on her right hand. White metal necklace with a clear plastic heart pendant with a rose painted on it. White metal chain with a pendant containing a turquoise colored stone.
Additional Information :



[B]DNA Available:[/B]
Yes
[B]Fingerprints Available:[/B]
Yes
[B]Contact Information:[/B]
Clark County Coroners Office 1704 Pinto Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89106 (702) 455-3210

 

[Akoya]

http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/32784014/las-vegas-police-get-new-lead-in-37-year-old-cold-case

Las Vegas police get new lead in 37-year-old cold case
Posted: Aug 17, 2016 6:58 PM EDT

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has a new lead in a cold case from 1979 and is asking for the public's assistance in identifying a body.

Las Vegas police said the body of a girl was found in a vacant parking lot on Aug. 14, 1979, at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and West Sahara Avenue.

Las Vegas police named her "Jane Sahara Doe".

New information emerged as police received details on pollen grains taken from her clothing, the report said.

Police said the Jane Doe may have spent time in Napa Valley or in the central valley areas of California before she came to Las Vegas. She may have lived in a trailer park community near East Lake Mead Boulevard and possibly have worked at the Holiday Inn or a motel on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Police said her name may have been Shauna or Shawna.

Jane Sahara Doe was possibly between the ages of 16 and 21 years old, the report said. She was 5' 6" tall and weighed about 100 pounds. Doe had brown hair and eyes.

Police said she was wearing an upper denture and her lower partial denture was missing when her body was found. Her hands and feet were manicured and painted in red polish.

The report said she was wearing blue jeans, a green blouse with red sequins in the front and back area, and several pieces of jewelry.

She was wearing two white gold necklaces, one of which had a small silver cut-out leaf pendant with a small turquoise stone. The other necklace was a white gold chain with a plastic heart pendent. Police said she was also wearing a plain white gold ring on her index finger.

If you have any information that may lead to the identity of Jane Sahara Doe, call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or the Clark County Coroner's Office at 702-455-3210 or Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at 702-828-3111.

A photo of Jane Sahara Doe's blouse she was wearing when police found her body on Aug. 14, 1979.

 

[Akoya]

http://news3lv.com/news/special-rep...sed-in-hopes-of-solving-1979-cold-case-murder

LAS VEGAS (KSNV News3LV) - It's a 36-year-old unsolved murder. A woman's body was found in a vacant dirt lot across from the Sahara Hotel on Aug. 14, 1979. To this day she is only known as Jane "Sahara Sue" Doe.

But her case is kept alive because of the dedicated few who are passionate about solving the hundreds of cold cases in Clark County.

"I mean is this important? Yeah, it's important. We've got an opportunity to make some changes," says former Clark County Coroner Mike Murphy. "There's more than one person that knows what happened to Sahara Sue. More than one."

Jane "Sahara Sue" Doe was a white female, 5-foot-6, around 100 pounds, between 15 and 20 years old with brown hair and brown eyes.

"One of the things special about her is that Sahara Sue didn't have any natural teeth," says Murphy. "She had just had dentures put in within a short period of time prior to her death."

Murphy retired earlier this year, accepting a position in Virginia with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Murphy is now responsible for more than 700 unidentifiable children across the country.

"They never stop looking. They never close a file until all of the work is done," he said.

This past summer, the NCMEC selected Jane "Sahara Sue" Doe's case for review.

"So think about it. You're looking at a case from 1979, and now you're applying the science of 2015 to those cases," Murphy said.

The center created a new image of "Sahara Sue."

"In Sahara Sue's case we were able to take the composite drawing, or the photograph, and make it so it appears that you are looking at someone who is a living person," Murphy said.

New technology also led to a new breakthrough in the 36-year-old murder mystery.

"Pollen is another science that we are using now," Murphy said. "We gather pollen on our clothes, and that's unique to certain areas."

Pollen found on Jane "Sahara Sue" Doe's clothing was unique to the Central California Valley.

"All of that information is funneled directly back to law enforcement and then they follow up on those leads," he said.

Metro is on board. The department recently created its cold case unit, bringing back retired homicide Sgt. Ken Hefner as an investigator.

"There are some that just stick with you that you wish you could have solved," says Hefner, who served Metro for 25 years. "You know, for people who do this stuff for a long time, it almost becomes a calling rather than a job."

Jane "Sahara Sue" Doe's case is a thick binder about 6 inches deep, with evidence from day one to present. Hefner says it's believed she went to a nearby liquor store with a man before her death. A bottle of soda and liquor was found at the crime scene.

"We were able to put here in the company of what may be the suspect, shortly before she was discovered dead," says Hefner, adding that it was the liquor store clerk who was able to put her in the company of a man.

However, the challenge with cold case investigations is time. The clerk has since passed away from natural causes. And a suspect sketch published in the newspaper in 1979 didn't result in finding the person or people responsible.

Jane "Sahara Sue" Doe's file is decades of clues to an incomplete puzzle.

"She still remains unidentified, and that makes it difficult for us because we really don't have a starting point," says Hefner.

"There's a mom or a dad that do not know where their child is," says Murphy. "And there is also something else. She still has the right to have justice. Someone took her life."

Her finals moments were in the dark. But Jane "Sahara Sue" Doe's story is standing the test of time, thanks to those continuing the investigation from up above.

"The light of hope burns bright," says Murphy. "And all we have to do is remember that."

Anyone with information is asked to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's 24-hour hotline at 1-800-The-Lost.

Metro's Cold Case Unit has a hotline at 702-828-8973 or ColdCaseHomicide@lvmpd.com. You can also call the Clark County Coroner's Office at 702-455-3210.

 

[Akoya]

http://csafd.proboards.com/thread/732/vegas-jane-doe-1979

Located on August 14, 1979 in Las Vegas, Nevada

She was a victim of homicide

Estimated Date of Death: 1 day prior

Estimated age: 17 - 21 years old

Approximate Height and Weight: 5'6"; 103 lbs.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Light brown hair; brown eyes. Manicured nails, red nailpolish.

Dentals: Upper Dentures, the anterior teeth are New Hue

Biotone Plastic, mold in and shade 61 or62. The posterior teeth are 32 L a 33degree tooth. No lower dentures present, but no teeth either.

Clothing: She wore blue, hiphugger jeans, a distinctive light blue shirt with red embroidery designs and sequens on the shirt. No shoes. She was wearing some silver jewelry. Two necklaces with a crystal heart shaped charm and one with turqouise stone, a white-gold ring on her right hand.

Fingerprints: Aailable. Prints checked through local PD and FBI no matches in file.

The body of this unidentified white female was found on the pavement of the old El Rancho Casino area, now a vacant lot 370 feet south of Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada at approximately 2030 hours on 08/14/1979.

She had what appeared to be multipile wounds to the abdomen.
She was last seen with a white male at a liquor store shortly before she was found.

doenetwork.org/cases/58ufnv.html

 

[Akoya]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahara_Sue

Sahara Sue is the informal nickname given to a murder victim who was found in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 14, 1979. Her identity is not known. She was nicknamed "Sahara Sue" because her body was found near the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, at the intersection of Sahara and Las Vegas avenues.[1] Recent developments indicate she may have used the name "'Shawna" or "Shauna" when she was alive.[2]

The victim is also known by the fact that she was wearing an upper denturedespite her young age, but the lower denture was missing. She was photographed, reconstructed, fingerprinted, and had her DNA analyzed, yet she has remained unidentified for more than 30 years.

Sahara Sue's body was found lying face down in a parking lot on August 14, 1979.[4] It was estimated that she had died three to four hours before being found.[3][5] She had been stabbed several times in the abdomen.[6]

It was reported that a woman matching her description was seen with a white man prior to discovery of the body

Sahara Sue was a white woman with brown eyes and wavy light brown hair. She was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 100 – 105 pounds. Her age has been estimated to be between 15 and 30. She had no teeth and did wear at least one denture, as the maxillary piece was discovered in her mouth after the body was located. The mandibular piece was not recovered. The nails on her feet and hands had been manicured and painted with red polish.[4]

She was wearing a shirt and hip-hugger jeans. Her shirt was blue and made oflinen, with a tie near the waist area. It had red embroidered designs and sequins. Her shoes were not found and it was evident that the killer had removed some of her clothing.[5]

On her right hand, she had a ring made of white gold without any stone. She was wearing two pendant necklaces made of white gold. One pendant had a leaf design and a round turquoise stone. The other was made of plastic and was heart-shaped with a rose design. She was not wearing earrings, and her ears had not been pierced

Fingerprints were taken from the body and entered into national databases, but no match was found. Her body wasexhumed in 2003 to obtain DNA but no match was found.[8][9] Through these forms of body identification, at least sevenmissing people have been ruled out as possible identities for Sahara Sue.[3] Pictures of her face have also been released to public websites, and multiple reconstructions of her face also exist.[3][5]

In 2016, investigation yielded several major developments in the victim's case. Forensic palynology on her clothing indicated she had spent time in Napa Valley or Central Valley, California sometime prior to her murder. Another potential lead was followed that suggested that Sahara Sue may have ties to a trailer park in the area. Further investigation indicated she could have used the name "Shawna" or "Shawna" and may have been employed at a Holiday Inn or a motel on Las Vegas Boulevard.[2]

"Sahara Sue"

Reconstruction of the victim's face by theNational Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Born 1954-1964 (approximate)
Status Unidentified for 37 years and 25 days
Died August 14, 1979 (aged 15-25)
Las Vegas, Clark County,Nevada, United States
Cause of death Homicide by stabbing
Resting place Woodlawn Cemetery, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada,United States
Other names Jane Las Vegas Doe
Known for Unidentified victim of homicide
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight 100 lb (45 kg) to 105 lb (48 kg)

 

[Akoya]

http://csafd.proboards.com/thread/732/vegas-jane-doe-1979

Located on August 14, 1979 in Las Vegas, Nevada

She was a victim of homicide

Estimated Date of Death: 1 day prior

Estimated age: 17 - 21 years old

Approximate Height and Weight: 5'6"; 103 lbs.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Light brown hair; brown eyes. Manicured nails, red nailpolish.

Dentals: Upper Dentures, the anterior teeth are New Hue

Biotone Plastic, mold in and shade 61 or62. The posterior teeth are 32 L a 33degree tooth. No lower dentures present, but no teeth either.

Clothing: She wore blue, hiphugger jeans, a distinctive light blue shirt with red embroidery designs and sequens on the shirt. No shoes. She was wearing some silver jewelry. Two necklaces with a crystal heart shaped charm and one with turqouise stone, a white-gold ring on her right hand.

Fingerprints: Aailable. Prints checked through local PD and FBI no matches in file.

The body of this unidentified white female was found on the pavement of the old El Rancho Casino area, now a vacant lot 370 feet south of Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada at approximately 2030 hours on 08/14/1979.

She had what appeared to be multipile wounds to the abdomen.
She was last seen with a white male at a liquor store shortly before she was found.

doenetwork.org/cases/58ufnv.html

 

[Akoya]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahara_Sue

Sahara Sue is the informal nickname given to a murder victim who was found in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 14, 1979. Her identity is not known. She was nicknamed "Sahara Sue" because her body was found near the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, at the intersection of Sahara and Las Vegas avenues.[1] Recent developments indicate she may have used the name "'Shawna" or "Shauna" when she was alive.[2]

The victim is also known by the fact that she was wearing an upper denturedespite her young age, but the lower denture was missing. She was photographed, reconstructed, fingerprinted, and had her DNA analyzed, yet she has remained unidentified for more than 30 years.

Sahara Sue's body was found lying face down in a parking lot on August 14, 1979.[4] It was estimated that she had died three to four hours before being found.[3][5] She had been stabbed several times in the abdomen.[6]

It was reported that a woman matching her description was seen with a white man prior to discovery of the body

Sahara Sue was a white woman with brown eyes and wavy light brown hair. She was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 100 – 105 pounds. Her age has been estimated to be between 15 and 30. She had no teeth and did wear at least one denture, as the maxillary piece was discovered in her mouth after the body was located. The mandibular piece was not recovered. The nails on her feet and hands had been manicured and painted with red polish.[4]

She was wearing a shirt and hip-hugger jeans. Her shirt was blue and made oflinen, with a tie near the waist area. It had red embroidered designs and sequins. Her shoes were not found and it was evident that the killer had removed some of her clothing.[5]

On her right hand, she had a ring made of white gold without any stone. She was wearing two pendant necklaces made of white gold. One pendant had a leaf design and a round turquoise stone. The other was made of plastic and was heart-shaped with a rose design. She was not wearing earrings, and her ears had not been pierced

Fingerprints were taken from the body and entered into national databases, but no match was found. Her body wasexhumed in 2003 to obtain DNA but no match was found.[8][9] Through these forms of body identification, at least sevenmissing people have been ruled out as possible identities for Sahara Sue.[3] Pictures of her face have also been released to public websites, and multiple reconstructions of her face also exist.[3][5]

In 2016, investigation yielded several major developments in the victim's case. Forensic palynology on her clothing indicated she had spent time in Napa Valley or Central Valley, California sometime prior to her murder. Another potential lead was followed that suggested that Sahara Sue may have ties to a trailer park in the area. Further investigation indicated she could have used the name "Shawna" or "Shawna" and may have been employed at a Holiday Inn or a motel on Las Vegas Boulevard.[2]

"Sahara Sue"

Reconstruction of the victim's face by theNational Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Born 1954-1964 (approximate)
Status Unidentified for 37 years and 25 days
Died August 14, 1979 (aged 15-25)
Las Vegas, Clark County,Nevada, United States
Cause of death Homicide by stabbing
Resting place Woodlawn Cemetery, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada,United States
Other names Jane Las Vegas Doe
Known for Unidentified victim of homicide
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight 100 lb (45 kg) to 105 lb (48 kg)

 

[Akoya]

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/images/58UFNV5.jpg

"The Doe Network" : International Center for Unidentified & Missing PersonsCase File: 58UFNV


The Doe Network

Left to right: Artistic rendering of the victim; Composite; Sketches of the victim by Barbara Martin; NCMEC photo composites; Victim's jewelry; Victim's shirt

Unidentified Female

Date of Discovery: August 14, 1979

Location of Discovery: Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada
Estimated Date of Death: 3 to 4 hours prior
State of Remains: Recognizable face
Cause of Death: Unknown
Physical Description
** Listed information is approximate

Estimated Age: 15-25 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 100-105 lbs.
Hair Color: Light brown, shoulder length.
Eye Color: Brown

Distinguishing Marks/Features: Manicured nails with red nail polish.

Dentals: Not available. Edentulous with an upper denture. No lower denture recovered. From the 1979 report in the case file: Decedent had full upper and lower dentures. Mandibular denture was not recovered. The maxillary denture was of an open face design with no flange over the 4 anterior teeth. The maxillary arch was small with the denture measuring 6.2 cm wide at the tuberosity and 5 cm long from incisor to post dam - the central incisor is 13 mm long - processed in pink plastic. The anterior teeth are New Hue Biotone Plastic, mold IN and shade 61 or 62. The posterior teeth are 32 L a 33 degree tooth.

Fingerprints: Available. Prints checked through local PD and FBI no matches in file.

DNA: mtDNA and nucDNA available. Complete mitochondrial DNA profile and full STR profile uploaded to NDIS.
Clothing & Personal Items

Clothing: Blue Levi's hip hugger jeans, a distinctive light blue-green button-up linen shirt with red floral embroidery and sequins and a tie up bottom. No shoes.

Jewelry: White metal chain with clear plastic heart pendant with a rose painted on it. White metal chain with a pendant containing a turquoise colored stone. White metal plain ring worn on the right hand.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Case History
The victim's was found partially disrobed and lying face down in the vacant parking lot on the old El Rancho Casino property (now a vacant lot) at Las Vegas Boulevard South and Sahara Avenue. She had what appeared to be multiple wounds to the abdomen.
She was last seen with a white male at a liquor store shortly before she was found.

Investigating Agency(s)
If you have any information about this case please contact;
Agency Name: Las Vegas Metro Police Department
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 702-229-3521
Agency Name: Clark County Coroner's Office
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 702-455-6649
E-Mail
Agency Name: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 800-843-5678
Agency Case Number: ME: 79-0968; NCMEC: NCMU1104104
NCIC Case Number: N/A
NamUs Case Number: UP #159
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Information Source(s)
NamUs
NCMEC
Clark County Coroner's Office
News 3 Archive
Last edited: Sep 9, 2016

 

[Akoya]

58UFNV

POST-MORTEM PHOTO BELOW SPOILER
GRAPHIC WARNING

Spoiler

Edited by staff to cover graphic content

 

[Akoya]

Unidentified Wiki

This wiki is dedicated to unidentified individuals (those deceased and alive) as well as formerly unidentified persons. The purpose of this wiki is to provide information and promote awareness for these individuals and not to solve such cases. To read about our planned updates to the site...

unidentified.wikia.com

Sahara Sue

Sahara Sue, was an unidentified girl found dead in Las Vegas on August 14, 1979. She is well known for not having any teeth at a young age. A recent lead has indicated she may have lived in a local trailer park. She likely spent time in California and could have used the name Shauna or Shawna.

Sahara Sue's body was found within hours of her death. She was seen alive with a man at a liquor store, who may be involved in her murder.

It appeared that someone had removed some of her clothing and possibly the lower denture that was not recovered.

Although she had no teeth, Sahara Sue may have been from a wealthy background, as she wore linen clothing and white gold jewelry, which are fairly expensive.
She may have been from Amish origin, as she lacked teeth, which the Amish sometimes have removed to prevent future problems.
Her case could be related to the Arroyo Grande Jane Doe, who was found dead from similar circumstances a year later.

 

[Akoya]

https://www.facebook.com/saharasuejanedoe/

Sahara Sue Jane Doe - Nevada - 1979
7 hrs ·
There is great news! Investigators have received a lead in my case. I can't tell you what the lead is except for what was published, but let's hope it gives me back my name. They think my name might have be Shawna or Shauna and that I worked at a Holiday Inn on the Vegas Boulevard and lived in a trailer on East Lake Meade BLVD. Here's an article about me and the lead for you to check out:

http://news3lv.com/…/las-vegass-oldest-cold-case-gets-a-new…

 

[Akoya]

http://fromwhisperstor.fr.yuku.com/topic/2182/Jane-Doe-August-14-1979-Las-Vegas-Nevada

Jane Doe August 14, 1979 ,Las Vegas, Nevada

The Doe Network:
Case File 58UFNV

2 Left: Reconstructions of Victim; 2 Right: Sketches of victim by Barbara Martin

Unidentified White Female

Located on August 14, 1979 in Las Vegas, Nevada
She was a victim of homicide

Vital Statistics

Estimated age: 17 - 25 years old
Approximate Height and Weight: 5'6"; 103 lbs.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Light brown hair; brown eyes.
Dentals: Upper Dentures, the anterior teeth are New Hue Biotone Plastic, mold in and shade 61 or62. The posterior teeth are 32 L a 33degree tooth. No lower dentures present, but no teeth either.
Clothing: She wore blue jeans, a distinctive light blue shirt with red embroidery designs and sequens on the shirt. No shoes. She was wearing some silver jewelry with a crystal heart shaped charm, a white-gold ring on her right hand.
Other: DNA available

Jewelry

Shirt

Case History
The body of this unidentified white female was found on the pavement of the old El Rancho Casino area, now a vacant lot 370 feet south of Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada at approximately 2030 hours on 08/14/1979.
She had what appeared to be multipile wounds to the abdomen.
She was last seen with a white male at a liquor store shortly before she was found.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this young woman's identity, please contact:
Las Vegas Metro Police Department
702-229-3521
Or
The Office of the Clark County Coroner
702-455-6649
E-Mail
All information may be submitted anonymously.

Agency Case Number:
79-0968

NCIC Number: N/A
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

More info at:
http://doenetwork.us/cases/58ufnv.html

 

[Akoya]

www.inoldlasvegas.com

1959 View of the Las vegas Strip, Near Sahara Avenue and the El Rancho Vegas

The Las Vegas Strip's First Hotel-Casino Complex. The 1941 El Rancho Vegas

 

[Akoya]

She was nicknamed "Sahara Sue" because her body was found near the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, at the intersection of Sahara and Las Vegas avenues.

The victim's was found partially disrobed and lying face down in the vacant parking lot on the old El Rancho Casino property (now a vacant lot) at Las Vegas Boulevard South and Sahara Avenue. She had what appeared to be multiple wounds to the abdomen.

 

[Akoya]

Another potential lead was followed that suggested that Sahara Sue may have ties to a trailer park in the area. Further investigation indicated she could have used the name "Shawna" or "Shawna" and may have been employed at a Holiday Inn or a motel on Las Vegas Boulevard.

 

[Akoya]

That lead also tells them she may have worked at the Holiday Inn on Las Vegas Boulevard and possibly lived at a trailer park on East Lake Mead Boulevard.

Trailer Park, 4362 E Lake Mead Blvd Las Vegas

 

[Akoya]

 

[Akoya]

 

[Summer_Breeze]