I found this case while randomly browsing through Charley Project cases. What a nightmare. I wonder who the killer’s target was: Elizabeth, so she could be sold or given to a desperate mother (or perhaps for far more nefarious reasons that my mind doesn’t care to linger on); or Diane, for a motive that was personal or for reasons unknown. In the latter instance, I think it’s more likely than not that Elizabeth is probably deceased as well, though it’s always possible that the killer simply sold her or gave her away, much like John Robinson did when he gave Lisa Stasi’s infant daughter to his own brother. Elizabeth may be out there and have no idea about her true identity.
I’d like to think that there are forces innate yet unknown to us that help to nudge us in certain directions throughout life. Maybe Elizabeth feels a little nagging touch on her heart sometimes, or a strange, subtle feeling that tells her something is off. Like an itch you can’t scratch. Maybe someday curiosity will get the better of her and she’ll take the first step in finding the truth. I really, really hope that’s the case.
Diane's remains (skull and pelvis and rib bones) were found by hikers, but not near the Locatelli ranch but in a ravine used as a dumping ground off Skyline Boulevard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. With the remains were found a multi-colored tank top, a nursing bra and a gold necklace, identified by her parents as one they gave her on a visit home shortly before she disappeared.
It sounds like there were only a few bones found, like she was merely dumped out there or buried poorly in a shallow grave, and animals that scavenged the remains scattered them. It’s possible that Elizabeth’s remains were lost this way; I don’t imagine such small bones would last or be easy to find if left out, exposed to the elements. Was there ever any clues found on her remains, such as tool or knife marks on the bones? If the only thing missing from the scene was a television cord, I’d assume it was used to either bind Diane in someway or to strangle her. If her next door neighbor was indeed murdered only a few years before and found in the same area that Diane was, that’s a hell of a coincidence. Does anyone have any speculation as to whether they’re connected and how they’re connected? Is there a common thread that connects them, or any other abductions/murders to Diane’s? If the killer wasn’t focused on Elizabeth, then what was his reason to want Diane dead? I know there’s a little chatter about creepy granola types that hunker down in the hills possibly being responsible – is there any chance that Diane was killed for seeing something she shouldn’t have, or somehow having knowledge of some else’s criminal activity? It doesn’t really seem likely to me, but I suppose anything is possible, especially in California in the 70’s.
There doesn’t seem like there’s a lot to go on in this case and that’s so heartbreaking. Abductions from home are so disturbing; I can’t imagine anything more terrifying that someone assaulting you inside the place you’re supposed to feel safest. Hoping that the passage of time will help to solve this case and that Elizabeth can be found, and that she’s found alive. Kudos to everyone in this thread that did so much work digging up old newspaper articles and memories, and for helping keep this case alive.
