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 unknown. 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 Boulevard.[1] Recent developments indicate she may have used the name "Shawna" or "Shauna" when she was alive.[2]

"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
Bornc. 1954–64 (approximate)
StatusUnidentified for 44 years, 2 months and 11 days
DiedAugust 14, 1979 (aged 15–25)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Cause of deathHomicide by stabbing
Resting placeWoodlawn Cemetery, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, United States
Other namesJane Las Vegas Doe
Known forUnidentified victim of homicide
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)

The victim is also known by the fact that she was wearing a complete 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 over 40 years.[3]

Discovery

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 has been reported that a woman matching her description was seen with a white man before discovery of the body.[7]

Description

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]

Second reconstruction of the victim, this one by Carl Koppelman, illustrating the shirt and pendants that she wore.

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 metal without any stone. She was wearing two pendant necklaces made of white metal. 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. In 2011, her DNA was tested to see if she was a match to Deborah Rae Meyer, who had vanished in August 1974. They both had dentures and shared similarities, but DNA testing proved they were not the same person and Meyer remains missing.[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]

External images
image icon Second profile reconstruction
image icon Shirt
image icon Pendants

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 of California sometime before 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 might have used the name "Shawna" or "Shauna" and may have been employed at a Holiday Inn or another motel on Las Vegas Boulevard.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Clark County Case Number: #79-0968". Clark County Coroner. 2010. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  2. "New Lead". National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  3. "Case Report - NamUs UP # 159". namus.gov. National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. 30 June 2007. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  4. "Jane Doe 1979". missingkids.org. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  5. "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. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. 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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