CA CA - Jeannette Kamahele, 20, Santa Rosa, 25 April 1972

[FlyOfDragons]

If Jeanette was a victim of the SR Hitchiker killer, then she's probably still to be found in that area. I dont have the map in front of me, but from recollection all these victims were dumped within a 10 mile or so radius from downtown Santa Rosa.

Correct about SRHM. Carolyn Davis was found 3ft from where Yvonne Weber & Maureen Sterling were found. About six miles south were the bodies of Lori Lee Kursa, Theresa Walsh, and Sonoma County Jane Doe. Though LE noted that Theresa's could have traveled miles in the creek she was found in. Lori was found within 100yd from where Theresa was (though not in the creek), and then Sonoma County JD was found 100yd away from Lori. Kim Allen's body was found about 9.5mi south of those three. The three dumping sites form almost a completely straight line running slightly southeast

For reference, Jeannette's disappearance is marked by the coral pink hiker at the bottom of the screenshot

 

[UncoolNegated]

Yesterday I submitted Phelan Jane Doe as a possible match for Jeannette to Doe Network. Age and height ranges are correct (18-25 vs 20, 5'2-5'4 (estimated) vs 5'5). JD is of non-European descent, possibly Asian or Native American; Jeannette is Native Hawaiian, though is erroneously listed as Asian on some sites. Jeannette had a dental bridge, though it is not listed where; one of JD's teeth was only root. JD died 1963-1973, though likely sometime 1971-1972. Jeannette went missing 11 months before JD was found

I received this response from Doe Network yesterday evening:
"Thank you for the suggested match. I don't show any comparison of these having been done so I will have our panel look at it. If [it] is proven to be a positive match, I will contact you further."

It's a decent suggestion, I think. The direction of travel doesn't match as Jeanette was picked up as a hitchhiker heading north of Colati. But that's not a reason to rule out. Hopefully, this brings some closure. Good find!

 

[FlyOfDragons]

It's a decent suggestion, I think. The direction of travel doesn't match as Jeanette was picked up as a hitchhiker heading north of Colati. But that's not a reason to rule out. Hopefully, this brings some closure. Good find!

Thank you! I agree, direction of travel doesn't match, but weirder things have happened. It's always possible that whoever picked her up from Cotati started driving north, then lied to her and looped around to drive south.

I started considering this match primarily because there aren't too many non-white and non-Black JDs in CA (though of course she could be in a different state) from that time period. In fact, there are no JDs found in any of the western states who are estimated to have died around the time Jeannette disappeared who have been estimated to be Pacific Islander. Because of that, I think that unless her body hasn't been found yet (or, even less plausible imo, she's still alive), then her remains have probably been mistakenly identified as Asian or Native American. After that, possibly (non-white) Hispanic, then after that possibly even white. While there are some Pacific Islander groups that I could see being mistaken for Black, considering the photos we have of Jeannette, I personally find it unlikely. Though of course, the race of her remains, if already found, could simply be listed as "Uncertain" on NamUs.

The dental bridge vs JD's semi-missing tooth also stuck out to me. It's not too uncommon for things like race to be estimated incorrectly, but the dental bridge vs missing tooth seems very solid in my opinion. I wish we knew where exactly Jeannette had her dental bridge though

 

[UncoolNegated]

Thank you! I agree, direction of travel doesn't match, but weirder things have happened. It's always possible that whoever picked her up from Cotati started driving north, then lied to her and looped around to drive south.

I started considering this match primarily because there aren't too many non-white and non-Black JDs in CA (though of course she could be in a different state) from that time period. In fact, there are no JDs found in any of the western states who are estimated to have died around the time Jeannette disappeared who have been estimated to be Pacific Islander. Because of that, I think that unless her body hasn't been found yet (or, even less plausible imo, she's still alive), then her remains have probably been mistakenly identified as Asian or Native American. After that, possibly (non-white) Hispanic, then after that possibly even white. While there are some Pacific Islander groups that I could see being mistaken for Black, considering the photos we have of Jeannette, I personally find it unlikely. Though of course, the race of her remains, if already found, could simply be listed as "Uncertain" on NamUs.

The dental bridge vs JD's semi-missing tooth also stuck out to me. It's not too uncommon for things like race to be estimated incorrectly, but the dental bridge vs missing tooth seems very solid in my opinion. I wish we knew where exactly Jeannette had her dental bridge though

and the dental bridge isn't even in her NamUs profile.

 

[theshadow45]

Today is Jeannette’s birthday.

 

[jackornaught]

Happy Birthday, Jeanette.

 

[theshadow45]

Jeannette has been missing for 53 years today.

 

[FlyOfDragons]

I submitted Jeannette Kamahele and Phelan Jane Doe 1973 to the Doe Network as a possible match back in February. In June I was told by Mary Bell of DN that the match had been submitted to law enforcement. Jeannette's NamUs page was last updated on July 8, 2025, though I didn't see it until now: Jeannette Kamahele is not Phelan Jane Doe. Jeannette now has eight exclusions total