NM NM - Fruitland, NtvFem 20-40, UP5974, buried near power plant, Jan'91

CarlK90245 · May 6, 2015

The Doe Network:
Case File 688UFNM http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/688ufnm.html
NamUs UP 5974 https://identifyus.org/en/cases/5974

Reconstruction of Victim

Unidentified Native Female

The victim was discovered on January 22, 1991 in Fruitland, San Juan County, New Mexico

Condition of Remains

Estimated Date of Death: Years prior
Condition: Skeletal Remains

Vital Statistics

Estimated age: 20-40 years old
Approximate Height and Weight: 5'4-5'7"
Clothing: Fragments of black cloth. One fragment has a spherical metal button.
Dentals: Available. Attrition evident on incisal and occlusal surfaces of all teeth.
DNA: Not available.

Case History
The victim was located in a shallow grave in Farmington, near Power Plant Road.

CarlK90245 · May 6, 2015

While researching a Florida Jane Doe, I was looking at the Charley Project page for Carol Lynn Roberts

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

Since (1) her circumstances point to a strong likelihood that she is somewhere in the Southwestern U.S., rather than Florida, and (2) she is not listed in NamUs, I figured that she might have slipped under the radar for people researching Jane Doe cases in the Southwest.

While looking at Arizona and New Mexico Jane Does, I came across this one, and was amazed by the resemblance.

As for the other particulars, her height (5'4") is within the Jane Doe's height estimate. The timeframe (about 15 years) might fit the description of the estimated date of death ("Years Prior").

And although the Jane Doe is listed as Native American, and Carol probably would be described as Caucasian, her facial characteristics are similar enough to those of a Native American.

The one negative is that her age (18) is a bit younger than the age range given for the Jane Doe (20-40)

Ms Suzanne · May 6, 2015

How do they know she was native american? Her high cheek bones.If she was skeletal remains they would not know if she was dark complected skin right? Was her hair real dark? I have american Indian in me and my sister.But we do not look american Indian.

Ms Suzanne · May 6, 2015

Well,I guess she was if she was found in New Mexico.

Tulessa · May 7, 2015

Ms Suzanne said:
How do they know she was native american? Her high cheek bones.If she was skeletal remains they would not know if she was dark complected skin right? Was her hair real dark? I have american Indian in me and my sister.But we do not look american Indian.

Teeth don't lie. Shovel Shaped “Indian” Teeth, I think would be a dead give away. It’s easy to determine if you have it or not, and is a good indicator of Native heritage.

MadMcGoo · Dec 23, 2019

1 Missing Person exclusion listed in NamUs:
MP26838 Carol Roberts 08/15/1976 Seminole FL

NamUs
Doe Network

Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP5974
Female, American Indian / Alaska Native

Date of Discovery: January 22, 1991
Location of Discovery: Fruitland, San Juan County, New Mexico
Estimated Date of Death: 1984-1990
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Partial skeletal parts only
Estimated Age: Adult - Pre 40; 20-40 years
Height: 5'4"-5'7"
Clothing: Fragments of black cloth. One fragment has a spherical metal button.

Circumstances of Discovery: Skeletal remains found by hikers in a shallow grave in a dead end canyon, near the bottom of a steep slope in Farmington, 1/2 mile south of a pipeline road off the APS Four Corners Plant Road.

Dentals: Available. Attrition evident on incisal and occlusal surfaces of all teeth.
Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Not Available

victoriarobinson642 · Dec 23, 2019

Quick Google search says that NM has the highest number of missing Native American women-this might be tough to narrow down

theshadow45 · Jan 23, 2020

Four Corners Jane Doe has been unidentified for 29 years as of yesterday.

victoriarobinson642 · Feb 3, 2021

Very quick reconstruction for San Juan Jane Doe. I wish her case got more attention.

MadMcGoo · Feb 3, 2021

victoriarobinson642 said:
Very quick reconstruction for San Juan Jane Doe. I wish her case got more attention.

Me too... she deserves it. Thank you for taking the time on her

theshadow45 · Jan 23, 2022

Four Corners Jane Doe has been unidentified for 31 years today.

John/Jane Doe · Jun 4, 2022

CASE NUMBER - 688UFNM

victoriarobinson642 · Nov 26, 2022

Screen Shot 2022-11-26 at 2.03.32 AM.png

Christine Lester, missing from AZ, and Carol Roberts, missing from FL, have both been ruled out. As an aside, I wonder why she isn't marked as being found on tribal land - it looks like she was found on the Navajo Reservation.

Susikatze · Nov 26, 2022

I wonder whether this is a historical burial site.
She had dental attrition, yes, that happens in contemporary people sometimes but it was the norm for traditional populations who stone ground their flour and ate tougher foods than the processed foods today. Also people used their teeth as tools for leather making or sewing that caused wear. She had heavy tooth wear on all her teeth which is very very rare today.
She does not seem to have had any dental care, no fillings.
No modern synthetic clothing or shoes.
And a spherical metal button can be new or 100 years old. Likewise black cloth.

Nothing that excludes it being historical/archeological

Goecke · Mar 13, 2023

I lived in San Juan County a few years back, about 45 minutes away from where this woman was found. I can confirm that the power plant is on the Navajo reservation, and based on this woman's appearance and the population of this area is almost 100% Navajo, it's a safe assumption that this woman was as well.

"Traditional" foods like stone ground corn and tough meat like mutton are still very common and readily available at just about every grocery store in the area. I agree that nothing necessarily excludes these remains from being archeological, but I'm much more inclined to think this was a modern burial. I wonder if isotope testing has been done on her teeth? That would help a lot with narrowing down the time frame where she lived.

John/Jane Doe · Jul 22, 2023

@Caring1 Hey could you post the current list of NamUs exclusions for this Jane Doe? I would greatly appreciate it.

HmmMysterious · Jul 22, 2023

John/Jane Doe said:
@Caring1 Hey could you post the current list of NamUs exclusions for this Jane Doe? I would greatly appreciate it.

Christine Lester and Carol Roberts are the only exclusions to Jane Doe. Lester was found deceased in Fresno, California in 1989, but wasn't identified until this year.

Caring1 · Jul 22, 2023

John/Jane Doe said:
@Caring1 Hey could you post the current list of NamUs exclusions for this Jane Doe? I would greatly appreciate it.

2 Missing Person Exclusions

theshadow45 · Jan 22, 2024

Four Corners Jane Doe has been unidentified for 33 years today.

iulia · Apr 11, 2024

Judith Fern Garcia was added to NamUs today. She went missing on December 24, 1989 from Laguna, New Mexico.

Missing Age 21 Years
Height 5' 1" - 5' 2" (61 - 62 Inches)
Weight 135 - 145 lbs
Race / Ethnicity American Indian / Alaska Native
Tribe Enrollment / Affiliation Yes
Associated Tribe(s): - Enrolled with Pueblo of Laguna

Circumstances of Disappearance She was last seen leaving the family residence by a family member.

Hair Color Black
Left Eye Color Brown
Right Eye Color Brown

Clothing
Last seen wearing black short sleeve shirt, tan colored pants, black high-heeled boots an Levi jacket with brown or tan trimming on front pocket.

NM NM - Fruitland, NtvFem 20-40, UP5974, buried near power plant, Jan'91

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