CA CA - Cindy Mellin, 19, Ventura, 20 Jan 1970

[SisterGrimm]

I found Cindy's yearbook pictures in Ventura High School from 1967- 1968.
I sent them to the person in charge of her profile on NamUs (Allison O'Neal).
She wore glasses apparently.
I hope this helps.

 

[Diane Redfern]

Maybe this is the stupid question of the day, but... did they look for fingerprints on the tools and on the tire? I know the man was pretending to help, but he must have touch those objects. If there are fingerprints, the case could be linked to other cases and, luckily, to a name.

I think that other women in the area may have been approached by this guy before and after. Someone had to know him or remember him. Did the LE even try to do a composite sketch?

 

[Lavender Moon]

As others have reassured me, there is no such thing as a stupid question; and in my opinion, that is a very good question.

 

[chaddylex]

Cindy's NamUs profile was modified on 2/14/22
She currently has 23 ruleouts The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
UP8868 05/22/1971 Los Angeles CA
UP4452 04/11/1976 Los Angeles CA
UP8419 01/16/2001 Isle of Wight VA
UP10929 08/19/1971 Josephine OR
UP5556 05/30/1976 Virginia Beach VA
UP8579 01/25/1981 Hanover VA
UP6482 12/30/1979 Frederick VA
UP12683 06/06/2014 Newport News VA
UP6642 08/07/1986 Chesterfield VA
UP6796 11/18/1985 Alleghany VA
UP6303 01/26/1997 Warren VA
UP7690 09/11/2005 Orange CA
UP10944 01/16/2013 San Mateo CA
UP6629 02/03/1991 Frederick VA
UP6665 05/14/2007 Petersburg VA
UP10647 06/07/2006 San Mateo CA
UP9938 01/11/1987 San Mateo CA
UP6150 11/07/1998 Stafford VA
UP8821 10/11/1991 Hartford CT
UP8191 03/29/1999 Hamilton TN
UP8427 07/17/1982 Washoe NV
UP2467 12/28/1970 San Bernardino CA
UP2583 10/01/1987 San Bernardino CA

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Cindy Mellin: 01.19.70 - MISSING PERSON​

Cindy Mellin, 19-years-old, was last seen in the parking lot of the Broadway Shopping Center located 477 S. Mills Road at approximately 10:00pm on January 19, 1970. She was seen at her car, a cream/blue 1960 Rambler, four-door sedan, which was jacked up under the rear bumper. An unidentified man was observed standing near the rear of the vehicle, reaching into the trunk. The man was described as tall and thin with light-colored hair and approximately 30-40 years old.

Cindy Mellin was approximately 5’6” and 105 lb. with blue eyes and brown shoulder-length hair. She was last seen wearing a navy-blue dress with red buttons, a brown corduroy coat, a red ribbon in her hair, and medium-heeled blue shoes with gold buckles. Crime Report #50785

Cold Case Investigations | Ventura, CA

With over 25 cold cases including homicide, missing persons, and unidentified deceased individuals stemming from 1970 to 2018, we hope the public can assist in filling information gaps.

www.cityofventura.ca.gov

 

[SolVic]

As someone who believes that Ted Bundy started killing in 1969, I think it’s possible Cindy was one of his early victims. In many serial killer cases I’ve read about, the first murders are usually different. I think that she was the one California victim he was talking about. But feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[Diane Redfern]

LE saw similarities with this series of crimes: Flat-Tire murders - Wikipedia

As someone who believes that Ted Bundy started killing in 1969, I think it’s possible Cindy was one of his early victims. In many serial killer cases I’ve read about, the first murders are usually different. I think that she was the one California victim he was talking about. But feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

Apparently, they suspected of Bundy, but he denied having committed any crime in Miami, however, they did not ask about Cindy and it's not clear her case is connected to the Flat-tire murders.
I would like to know why they started to suspect of Edward Cole in the first place. Is there any solid evidence or was he just a weirdo and they decided to focus on him?