Sahara Sue

"Sahara Sue"

Digital image created from study of morgue photographs to depict an estimation of the victim in life

Reconstruction of the victim's face by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Born 1954-1964 (approximate)
Status Unidentified for 37 years, 4 months and 6 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)
Second reconstruction of the victim, illustrating the shirt and pendants that she wore.

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 denture despite 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 35 years.[3]

Discovery of the body

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.[7]

Description 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 of linen, 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]

Jewelry

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.[4]

Investigation

Fingerprints were taken from the body and entered into national databases, but no match was found. Her body was exhumed in 2003 to obtain DNA but no match was found.[8][9] Through these forms of body identification, at least seven missing 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 "Shauna" and may have been employed at a Holiday Inn or a motel on Las Vegas Boulevard.[2]

External images
Second profile reconstruction
Shirt
Pendants

References

  1. ↑ "Clark County Case Number: #79-0968". Clark County Coroner. 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 "New Lead". National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Case Report - NamUs UP # 159". namus.gov. National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. 30 June 2007. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 "Jane Doe 1979". missingkids.org. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "Case File: 58UFNV". doenetwork.org. The Doe Network. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  6. ↑ Thompson, Trever (15 August 1979). "National group wants help to identify 1979 homicide victim". News 3. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Nevada Unidentified". 25 August 2007. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Goldman, Abigial (10 February 2008). "Cold cases go online, with respect for victims". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  9. ↑ "Missing 1979: August 14, 1979 Nevada 15-25". missinginamerica.us. 16 March 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
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