Donnis Redman (14 yrs) - Las Vegas, NV - 3/1/58

[lostwithoutyou]

Donnis Marie Redman


http://www.charleyproject.org/images/r/redman_donnis.jpg
http://www.charleyproject.org/images/r/redman_donnis_ap.jpg



Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: March 1, 1958 from Las Vegas, Nevada
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of Birth: June 10, 1943
Age: 14 years old
Height and Weight: 5'2, 105 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Blonde hair, blue eyes.


Details of Disappearance
Redman was last seen in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 1, 1958. She was accompanied by her boyfriend at the time. She has never been heard from again. The boyfriend's car was found in Williams, Arizona several days later. Few details are available in Redman's case. Some agencies state Redman disappeared from San Pedro, California. Los Angeles, California police are investigating her case.



Investigating Agency

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
626-292-3315

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/r/redman_donnis.html

[lostwithoutyou]

This case is strange..
Is her boyfriend listed as a missing person? And how old was he, considering he had a car? Was he ever considered a suspect?

[KarlK]

In that area (California/Nevada) most middle-class kids have a car of their own or extensive access to one as soon as they turn 16 and it was the same back in the 1950's so the boyfriend may not have been much older than Redman. It's quite strange that no mention is made of the boyfriend's fate, it makes it difficult to suggest any theories as to what may have happened. The wording sort of suggests the boyfriend is missing as well but it's not clear. Would have to look up databases but since they're not even sure of which state Redman went missing from that may not lead anywhere.

[Ms Suzanne]

Hi
I tried to email a few people about this.But I have not heard an answer.May I please ask if they ever found the unidentified Jane Does remains in Arizona in 1958.they tried to match this Unidentified Jane Doe with connie smith.The unidentified seems to fit Donnis Marie Redman missing in 1958 from California last seen in Las Vegas Nevada.It says her boyfriends car was found in Williams Arizona.That is not far where this Unidentified Jane Does body was found near Grand Canyon National Park.Did they say what happened to her boyfriend?

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/2409dfca.html

suzanne

[kaylenbabysims]

I just happened to pass this girls picture on another site, and it reminded me of another unidentified jane doe.. But the dates are way off.. but I was wondering about how accurate the missing date is? if anyones talked to someone about the missing girl? because it seems other missing people from that time had black and white pictures ..this picture does not look that 'old' for some reason

[kline]

It might have been taken with 35 millimeter slide film.
I saw some color photos of Buddy Holly taken in 1959 recently that looked like they were taken last tuesday.

[KarlK]

Yeah, or the picture was either reprinted from the negative or had been been preserved in an album under an airtight plastic film. A few years ago I took some simple 8mm movie rolls that had been shot by my mother as a teen in the mid 1950's to a specialist for transfer on DVD and even he was amazed that they looked so new, he said this only happens when movie rolls aree stored in their metal container when still fresh and never exposed to light (implying never viewed) ever after. The movies, which had no sound, actually looked like they had been shot yesterday, image quality was crisp, colors were vibrant and accurate like on a current high-quality TV screen, I couldn't believe it. Later I saw real color pictures (not colorized) from 1916 that had those same qualities, and a bunch of WW2 color pictures reprinted from the carefully preserved original negatives that could almost compete with a digital camera. Often old photos look old because the chemicals on the surface of the print have changed over the years but if the negative has been properly stored the original quality can be restored. Most pocket cameras in the late 1950's could take good color pictures, while 35mm cameras produced the same excellent results they still do nowadays. However cost was an issue so this equipment was less ubiquitous as it is now.

With regards to Redman's photo above, her hairdo, makeup, and costume jewelry appear accurate for the period.

[kline]

Yeah,I would totaly agree about the hair and makeup indicating it is a vintage '50's shot. Looks very simular to some of the late 50's photos ive seen of my aunts who were close to her same age in 1958.
She was a lovely girl.I find these old cold cases facinating but it also saddens me that when your talking about a case 40 plus years old the chance of an answer is alomost non existant baring a miracle.
But its also not unheard of so lets hope...

[talelights]

Hi
I tried to email a few people about this.But I have not heard an answer.May I please ask if they ever found the unidentified Jane Does remains in Arizona in 1958.they tried to match this Unidentified Jane Doe with connie smith.The unidentified seems to fit Donnis Marie Redman missing in 1958 from California last seen in Las Vegas Nevada.It says her boyfriends car was found in Williams Arizona.That is not far where this Unidentified Jane Does body was found near Grand Canyon National Park.Did they say what happened to her boyfriend?

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/2409dfca.html

suzanne

No Suzanne, the remains are still not been located. The Sheriff's office thinks they have found the cemetery but other UI are located there as well. To exhume all of them and test for DNA, comes down to money, I think.

It certainly could be Donnis Marie Redman, but we will not know unless they get found. Thanks for asking about Connie Smith and Donnis.

[Richard]

This case is now 50 Years old. I wonder if there will be any anniversary articles written about it.

[Ms Suzanne]

Hi

I really hope they do write an article on her.I think she deserves it.

suzanne

[meggilyweggily]

They may very well do an article eventually. They just did an article for Anthony Tumolo.

[kline]

50 years for Donnis Redman...I hope your at Peace wherever you are.

[talelights]

Does anyone have further background information about Donnis Redman besides what is listed below? I did contact LE but the detective I spoke to was less than helpful. More like I was a bother then a help.

Has anyone found news articles about her disappearance or what happened to the boyfriend. Are they both still missing? It is really disturbing to have such scant information to go on.

[talelights]

"Redman" is not the correct spelling of her last name, it is Redmond.

In addition, the name of the boyfriend, who by the way, is reported to have never been found, was Michael James Griffin.

I wonder if there was ever a missing person report put out for him? I have not checked any of the usual places yet. Has anyone gotten anything further with this cold case?

[talelights]

Okay, the name confusion came when someone said her name was "Redmond" but in further digging her name is Donnis Redman. Also called "Pinky" by her family.

I have been unable to find any information about the boy she was traveling with. I understand he was from the same town as Donnis but so far I have not discovered his family nor do I have any information on his identity.

If anyone has any information on this case, please post. Thank you

[talelights]

We continue to look for information on a possible link to Little Miss X and at least two missing females.

Let us hope recent DNA samples will hit a match so at least one tortured family can find answers.

[Lady Stardust]

bump ...

In the 'Unidentified' section, someone suggested the following Jane Doe as a possible match to Donnis Redmond:

http://doenetwork.org/hot/hotcase1155.html

http://coroner.co.la.ca.us/htm/uipdetail.cfm?proc_flg=L&unid_case_num=1968-05805 (Warning! Morgue Photo)

[Richard]

bump ...

In the 'Unidentified' section, someone suggested the following Jane Doe as a possible match to Donnis Redmond:

http://doenetwork.org/hot/hotcase1155.html

http://coroner.co.la.ca.us/htm/uipdetail.cfm?proc_flg=L&unid_case_num=1968-05805 (Warning! Morgue Photo)

Both are fascinating cases. I think that the ten year separation between the two, however, would tend to argue against a match.

The 1968 unidentified girl had a gold ring with an inscription indicating that it was probably a wedding ring dated 1920. This could be a good clue. It was possibly the wedding ring of the girl's parents or grandparents.

[talelights]

No news yet with the DNA testing seems it will take a while longer. So bumping it up

[Sleuthster]

Take a look at these 2 pictures side by side.
http://www.charleyproject.org/images/r/redman_donnis.jpg

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=233212922&albumID=118255&imageID=13182079

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=233212922&albumID=118255&imageID=15981070

Wow, the nose is alot a like but what really blows my mind is the smile. Wow, this could be grasping but her name is Donnis, she is 5'2 and a gemini. Only thing different is the age by 1 year

[Lady Stardust]

Wow, I see a definite resemblance!

Do you think it would be appropriate to contact the lady?

[Sleuthster]

Wow, I see a definite resemblance!

Do you think it would be appropriate to contact the lady?

Lol, what would we say "hey you look alot like Donnis Redmond/Redman and I was just wondering if you disappeared 52 years ago?"

Hmmm, I'm going to have to do somemore searching to see if I can find anything else out.

[kevmob77]

I don't see a resemblance at all.

[talelights]

Who is this women? Would be interesting to know some background on her before someone walks up and asks " Hey are Donnis Redman from California?

Very interesting...

[SarahR]

http://charleyross.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/missing-children-id-really-like-to-know-more-about/

About half way down the page, the second response is from the blogger, it says..

Meaghan Says:

May 15, 2009 at 4:45 pm | Reply
It occurred to me after I wrote this entry to dig through Ancestry.com and see if I could come up with any info — not about the disappearances themselves, of course, but about missing people and their families. So far I think I’ve just wasted the $20 membership fee. The only thing I’ve found is a birth record for Donnis Redman. She was born in Los Angeles and her mother’s maiden name was Moris. You can order a copy of the birth certificate, but only if you know the full names of both parents, which I do not.

[talelights]

I am looking for any firm information about the Donnis Redman case, more than what can be found on sites already out there but more importantly information about her boyfriend, Michael James Griffin.

Are there any newspaper reports about Griffin's car? Make, Model year available?

Any unidentified male remains found in the area or Coconino County after 1958?

Anyone know of his family or friends? Anything might put pieces to this puzzle on the table for us to sort through. I appreciate the interest and assistance of everyone here.

Does anyone have a copy of the book:
Over the edge: Death in Grand Canyon : gripping accounts of all known fatal mishaps in the most famous of the world's seven natural wonders

by Michael Patrick Ghiglieri, Thomas M. Myers

There might be a listing that has not been checked out yet.

Thanks...

[Angels_Not_Forgotten]

was her boyfriend ever officially reported missing? was there any evidence of a struggle around the area the car was found?

[talelights]

was her boyfriend ever officially reported missing? was there any evidence of a struggle around the area the car was found?

No Michael Griffin was never officially been reported missing, he was 18 at the time and law enforcement did not take "missing" reports of adults. I have often wondered if there are any family members to contact so that a missing report can be listed on the web boards. Would love to have someone contact any of us. I know there are many people out there willing to search and provide what information that is available.

There is no information about where or when the car was found, that I have found yet. We would not know about Donnis Redman if her mother had not listed her as missing and has still continued to look for her.

It is certainly a heart breaker. You don't know what happened. What could you have done to drive your child away? The quilt of your last memories of them. And if they are still alive, why they do not contact someone in the family to let them know they are alright...or not. It's the unknowing....

[nerosleuth]

Ok, so Donnis Redman was 14 and her boyfriend Michael Griffin was 18 when they disappeared in 1958.

What were they doing in Las Vegas at that time?

Did they go to Las Vegas to get married?

Did their parents knew that they were going to Las Vegas, or did they just took off without telling anyone where they were going?

The age difference between them is a concern. Is there any background info regarding her boyfriend?

[talelights]

Ok, so Donnis Redman was 14 and her boyfriend Michael Griffin was 18 when they disappeared in 1958.

What were they doing in Las Vegas at that time?

Did they go to Las Vegas to get married?

Did their parents knew that they were going to Las Vegas, or did they just took off without telling anyone where they were going?

The age difference between them is a concern. Is there any background info regarding her boyfriend?

We don't know why they went to Las Vegas, and as far as we can find out they did not get married there or Reno.

I have no information on whether the parents knew or not, but I suspect they did not and left without telling anyone. But who saw them in Las Vegas is a question I have wondered about as well as the boyfriends car being found near Williams, AZ.

There is limited information on the boyfriend and no background at this time. He was from the area where Donnis lived, was 18, had a car, was not reported missing because of his age. And he is still missing.

[nerosleuth]

After they disappeared back in 1958, were there any news stories from California, Nevada, and Arizona news media back then about this?

Were any charges filed against her boyfriend after they disappeared?

Were there personal belongings left in the car when it was found?

When the car was found, was there any evidence around the car that caused LE to suspect foul play could have been involved?

[talelights]

After they disappeared back in 1958, were there any news stories from California, Nevada, and Arizona news media back then about this?

Were any charges filed against her boyfriend after they disappeared?

Were there personal belongings left in the car when it was found?

When the car was found, was there any evidence around the car that caused LE to suspect foul play could have been involved?

We have not found any stories yet, still looking. As far as I can determine there were no charges filed against the boyfriend.

I don't have any information on who, when or where the car was found nor do we know the make or model of the car. Police files have not been located on this, as the Grand Canyon has been used as a dumping ground for bodies for a very long time. There is a special unit in the Coconino Sheriffs department that is digging into the cold cases they have and they are extensive.

Look here: http://unsolveditn.blogspot.com/2008/11/special-report-cold-cases-to-heat-up.html

[shadowangel]

I am looking for any firm information about the Donnis Redman case, more than what can be found on sites already out there but more importantly information about her boyfriend, Michael James Griffin.

Does anyone have a copy of the book:
Over the edge: Death in Grand Canyon : gripping accounts of all known fatal mishaps in the most famous of the world's seven natural wonders

by Michael Patrick Ghiglieri, Thomas M. Myers

There might be a listing that has not been checked out yet.

Thanks...

If it helps, several copies of this book are available on Bookfinder.com ranging in price from $7 and up depending on condition.
http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac=sl&st=sl&qi=h2JYdjeMD90O1QPBIjddnw4b03c_2058985612_1:15:193&bq=author%3Dmichael%2520patrick%2520ghiglieri%26ti tle%3Dover%2520the%2520edge%2520death%2520in%2520g rand%2520canyon

[talelights]

Looking for Michael Griffin, boyfriend to Donnis, it was reported that his car was discovered near Williams, AZ. But no report of either of them ever being seen again.

He could be an unidentified buried in a potters site someplace in AZ, and so could she. Ideas, anyone?

Newspapers are being searched for the discovery of any bodies in 1958 that were unidentified. Might have a lead on John Doe in Prescott but still checking.

[nerosleuth]

Looking for Michael Griffin, boyfriend to Donnis, it was reported that his car was discovered near Williams, AZ. But no report of either of them ever being seen again.

He could be an unidentified buried in a potters site someplace in AZ, and so could she. Ideas, anyone?

Newspapers are being searched for the discovery of any bodies in 1958 that were unidentified. Might have a lead on John Doe in Prescott but still checking.

The highways in 1958 had to be different than what they are today. For example, Interstate 40 did not exist in Arizona in 1958. It's more likely that they traveled on U.S. Route 66 in Arizona back then.

If you can find a 1958 state highway road map from Arizona, California, and Nevada, it should give you an idea of which highways and towns that they may have went through.

You also might try contacting funeral homes that were in business back in 1958 and are still in operation today to see if they have any records of any burials of any unidentified persons in 1958.

[nerosleuth]

Newspapers are being searched for the discovery of any bodies in 1958 that were unidentified.

Here is what I'm thinking. Their car likely was found in a remote area and it's also likely that their bodies were left in a remote area somewhere else.

So it's also possible that their bodies could have been found after 1958. You may want to look at newspapers from 1959 to 1961 to see if there were any discovery of unidentified bodies around that time.

I also would suggest contacting the county historical society and also the county genealogical society. They could have information about deaths from years ago and they also could have newspaper articles about it.

[KarlK]

Wow, the nose is alot a like but what really blows my mind is the smile.

It's a "little clown" nose, that means a small upturned nose with a tiny "ball" on the tip. The noses do look similar but it's a relatively common nose shape in women of European descent. Incidentally my fiancee has the same nose, as does her mother.

It's the smile I find hard to match because the older woman is wearing dentures -I can tell, I have them as well- and no lipstick. The difference in weight also makes it difficult to compare facial bone structure.

[talelights]

We have been scouring newspaper archives, contact with funeral homes, old LE officers, historians, museums, colleges, anthropologist, newspaper reporters, sheriff's office, national park service officers, vital statistics office, and now 1959 and before deaths in AZ are listed on line. Found one UID that looks interesting, but to find where he is buried, that's another story.

We might even have found that the boyfriends car was later sold at state auction but can not be sure as do not have a family contact to check with.

Remember, he was 18 and over the age of consent, LE would not take a missing person report on him. And as far as I know there has not been one taken of recent either, but since they are two missing persons who started out together it does not mean they will be found together, it's a large state with miles and miles of nothing, so who knows. Maybe someone out there has new thoughts, ideas, ways of looking at things or saw something or knows something. That's what I am counting on... one small piece of the puzzle that link to the next and the next. Perhaps we'll have a beginning line to move from

[nerosleuth]

but since they are two missing persons who started out together it does not mean they will be found together, it's a large state with miles and miles of nothing, so who knows.


Yes, that is true too. Anything is possible.

Regarding the Grand Canyon area, has there been any other reports of young women that have gone missing from Northern Arizona, Southern Nevada, or Southern Utah during the late 1950's and early 1960's and never heard from again?

[talelights]

It is not easy to find a list of missing from that time frame, as LE were not quick to take missing person reports if they were over the age of consent which I think was 18.

Reading old newspaper archives takes time but we are proceeding a little bit at a time. Thanks for the suggestions

[talelights]

Bumping it up