Identified! NM - Gallup, WhtFem 489UFNM, Dec'75 - Candace Starr

PonderingThings

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http://www.gallupindependent.com/2006/feb/022406ccfiles.html

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Police are seeking information from the public concerning a pair of cold cases that have left investigators with few answers.

The first case involves the Dec. 14, 1975, death of a young woman whose identity has never been determined.

Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said the woman, who was estimated to be between the ages 18 and 24, was shot in the head at close range by a male acquaintance at the former Thriftway gas station located at 1205 E. Hwy. 66. The station has since been torn down and replaced with a Baskin Robbin's.

Witnesses said the pair arrived at the station in a green van with the license plate 05834. However, observers did not know what state the plate was issued from. Once at the station, the pair began to argue. The woman entered the store, used the station's restroom and then went outside to the parking lot. The man then pulled the woman's arm to prevent her from re-entering the gas station.

According to witnesses, the woman came inside, placed a gun on the store's counter and told the man she was " ... not going to take this anymore."

The man then picked up the gun and fired a shot at the store clerk. But the clerk was able to dodge the bullet. Meanwhile, the woman hid behind the store's counter.

The man then reached over the counter, pulled the woman up by her hair and shot her to death in the head as bystanders watched in disbelief.

The woman is described as Caucasian, about 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighed between 100 and 110 pounds. She was wearing an army green jacket, orange pants and army field boots that were two sizes too big. Her hair was shoulder length and light brown and her eyes were hazel green in color. Two of her toes are also webbed together.

The suspect is described as Hispanic or Puerto Rican, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and as weighing about 150 pounds. Witnesses said his hair was black and "kinky."

Reyes said he is in the process of comparing Gallup's case to missing persons reports in Texas to determine the woman's identity. She was buried as "Jane Doe" at a local cemetery.

The case was submitted to "America's Most Wanted" in 2000, but was later declined because the fugitive's identity was not known. In these types of situations, Toadlena-Pablo said it is typical for the assailant to run from the scene. However, the man looked at all the witnesses, then slowly walked to the van and drove from the gas station at a low rate of speed. More than 20 years have passed since the woman's death, and police have yet to make an arrest in connection with the killing. Investigators have recently re-opened the case and want to interview the multiple witnesses who were at the gas station on Dec. 14.

Anyone with information about the incident, is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 722-6161 or Detective Juan Reyes at 863-9365.

**************
Note: I did not find a Doe Network page for this woman
 
Why wasn't the license plate run for each neighboring state? Worst case scenario, 50 searches results in at least 1 hit.

Gallup now is such a depressed area. If it was anything then like it is now, its very likely she was poor and alone - her "aquaintance" may have been her only company. Plus, Gallup is right outside the Navajo nation's major reservation, so its possible that although she was "described as caucasion" she was a native, and the Navajos then didn't have good relations with the local governments - they wouldn't report a missing woman.
 
Interesting background Bykerladi, thanks.

When I read this story this line in the article really jumped out at me.

In these types of situations, Toadlena-Pablo said it is typical for the assailant to run from the scene. However, the man looked at all the witnesses, then slowly walked to the van and drove from the gas station at a low rate of speed.
How creepy is that!
 
Sounds like the assailant wanted to make a point. Even creepier to me is that the clerk got a clear view of this guy and yet he still hasn't been identified.
 
This is a very strange case.

Unidentified White Female





  • The victim was discovered on December 14, 1975 in Gallup, New Mexico
  • Estimated Date of Death: December 14,1975
  • Cause of Death: Gun shot
Vital Statistics





  • Estimated age: 18 - 20 years old
  • Approximate Height and Weight: 5'3"; 110 lbs.
  • Distinguishing Characteristics: Hazel eyes; light brown, shoulder length hair. Slender build. On the victims right foot, toes number one and two are webbed.
  • Dentals: Expensive dental work.
  • Clothing: An army green top coat, a white t-shirt, orange pants, army type boots, two sizes to big. She also had two necklaces and wire type braclets.
  • Fingerprints: Available
Case History
The victim was located on or about December 14, 1975, in Gallup NM.
The victim was shot to death by a possible boyfriend or traveling companion. The victim was shot in the head with a small caliber handgun, possibly a 380 caliber type at the former Thriftway gas station located at 1205 E. Highway 66.
Witnesses said the pair arrived at the station in a green van with the license plate 05834. However, observers did not know what state the plate was issued from. Once at the station, the pair began to argue. The woman entered the store, used the station's restroom and then went outside to the parking lot. The man then pulled the woman's arm to prevent her from re-entering the gas station. According to witnesses, the woman came inside, placed a gun on the store's counter and told the man she was " ... not going to take this anymore." The man then picked up the gun and fired a shot at the store clerk. But the clerk was able to dodge the bullet. Meanwhile, the woman hid behind the store's counter. The man then reached over the counter, pulled the woman up by her hair and shot her to death in the head as bystanders watched in disbelief.
The suspect was discribed as a Puerto Rican or Mexican national male, 5'8 160 pounds, dark complexion, short kinky hair.
The suspect and victim were traveling together in a green van, older type model. The licence plate seen was a partial type, bearing 05834, red, white in color. State unknown.

Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:
Gallup Police Department
Detective J Reyes
505-726-5429 OR 505-722-2002
You may remain anonymous when submitting information.
Agency Case Number:
F.B.I. FPC: 19 0 29 W 100 19 1 20 W 001
NCIC Number:
N/A
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case. Source Information:
Gallup Police Department

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/489ufnm.html
 
That doesn't make sense. The police should've been able to figure out what state the plates were from and work from there.
 
looked on ebay really quick

here's a florida tag.. but cant tell if its orange or red?? color blind or something lol or maybe its my screen :waitasec:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1975-76-FLORIDA...ZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

colorado
http://cgi.ebay.com/COLORADO-TRUCK-...ryZ14033QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Not sure if different type of vehicles would have different colored tags? or if some states would have less or more numbers on a plate(not sure how all that works!) but here's some more really quick.. not sure if some are dinged out red or orange..

Minnesota
http://cgi.ebay.com/1975-Minnesota-...ryZ32772QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

South Dakota
http://cgi.ebay.com/1975-South-Dako...ryZ32772QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

texas
http://cgi.ebay.com/1974-1975-Texas...ryZ32772QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Mississippi
http://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-1975-Missi...ryZ32772QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

North Carolina (town plate)
http://cgi.ebay.com/MILTON-NC-1975-...ryZ25432QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
They could have been Nebraska plates??

"1973 - 1975 - Red on White *

(Cornhusker State)"​

from: http://www.dmv.state.ne.us/dvr/plates/plthistory.html

Here's an image of the plate (sorry it's so gigantic):
r-10178.jpg


Although, I would be willing to bet that they weren't Nebraska plates. At that time, we had a county designation folowed by a dash, then a letter, then a number - "74-A244" as in this picture. (A few counties moved to an alpha-numeric system in 2002 - "OPQ 393".

One to consider anyway.
 
Oklahoma plates were red and white for a time but they quit making them the school colors around 1974. So Oklahoma is definately one that it could be from.

heres a link to some pictures of older ones. (click on the 1970's link)
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.worldlicenceplates.com/jpglps/USA_OK_GI7_1970%27s.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.worldlicenceplates.com/usa/US_OKXX.html&h=410&w=540&sz=61&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=AJi9Zl0ifg-f0M:&tbnh=100&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Doklahoma%2B1970%2Blicense%2Bplate%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
 
If it was a older van.. it could have had old license plates right..? So we shouldnt ness. be looking up 1975.
 
If it was a older van.. it could have had old license plates right..? So we shouldnt ness. be looking up 1975.

Even if it was an old vehicle, when sold or re-titled or if the owner moved, new plates would be issued.
 
I got a reply from the ALPCA:

Hello Mike:

Glad to help with research like this- we just helped Baltimore police with a hit-and-run, also.

Thanks for the link- it tells me the crime was committed in December 1975- so I also checked the 1976 colors. At this period of time, US license plates were in the middle of changing over to red and/or white and/or blue to celebrate the Bicentennial- so there are a lot of them on the road.

Also it occurred in New Mexico, whose own plates were red on white starting in 1972.

Red letters on white background - 1975


Arkansas
Florida
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
Nebraska
New Mexico
North Carolina
Wisconsin

Plates with red letters on white background, but with blue features on top or bottom that could be obscured by a license plate frame, making the plate appear just red on white:

Colorado
South Dakota

White letters on a red background - 1975


South Carolina

Red letters on a white background- NEW for 1976:


Georgia
Ohio
Oklahoma

It looks like New Mexico is a good place to start. I know that most states do not keep old motor vehicle registration records much past the expiration of the license plates, so this could be a difficult task.

I hope this helps !

That was pretty impressive work on their part.

As far as we are concerned, the info on state records is troubling. It means there is little we can do, via the net.

I still do not understand why the police couldn't track it down. Unless the plate number was wrong. But even so...
 
I got a reply from the ALPCA:



That was pretty impressive work on their part.

As far as we are concerned, the info on state records is troubling. It means there is little we can do, via the net.

I still do not understand why the police couldn't track it down. Unless the plate number was wrong. But even so...

If you consider the less than stellar cooperation of interstate agencies, imagine if this plate was from Mexico! Not to mention just plain ignorance!

Living near the border in AZ, I see alot of Mexico license plates. Mentioned something about this to a police officer aquaintance and he seemed surprised that "Mexicans can legally drive over here". :rolleyes:
 
Links are great. Many thanks for posting that. It's good to know that they're still looking into it.
 

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