Barbara Jean Stroud
On January 7, 1973 at approximately 11:30 PM, 18-year-old Barbara Stroud had dropped her boyfriend off at his residence within the city limits of Willits. After leaving her boyfriend's residence, she traveled north on Highway 101 towards her residence. Once she was approximately two miles north of the Willits city limits, evidence located showed her vehicle was forced off the roadway.
Approximate 30 minutes after leaving her boyfriend's residence, a Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputy was in route to a call for service in Laytonville and observed Barbara Stroud's vehicle parked along side Highway 101 and unoccupied.
After handling the call in Laytonville, the Deputy returned to Barbara Stroud's vehicle and noticed her personal belongings inside the vehicle. The Deputy checked the vehicle's registration and learned the vehicle was not wanted or stolen. The Deputy then left the area.
At approximately 2:00 AM Barbara Stoud's parents phoned the Sheriff's Office and reported her as a missing person. The Sheriffs Office took the report and returned to her parked vehicle. A search was conducted for Barbara Stroud but she was not located.
On January 10, 1973 the nude body of Barbara Stroud was located in a remote area within two miles of where her vehicle was located. Barbara Stroud's clothing was later found approximately one mile away from where her body was discovered. During a forensic autopsy it was learned Barbara Stroud had been sexually assaulted and strangled to death.
If you have any information regarding the abduction, rape and murder of Barbara Stroud, please contact Detective Andrew Whiteaker of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. Detective Whiteaker's direct line is (707) 463-4103 and the Sheriff's Office Tip-Line is (707) 234-2100.
