Resolved CA - Los Angeles, WhtFem UP2993, 20-30, Short Blonde Hair @Mansfield Motel, Aug'68 - n/a

[sunnynz]

So how do we hold Law Enforcement accountable when they refuse to release the name?

I would give LE a chance first to go through whatever process they’re going through. For example, if they believe the murderer was someone close to the victim then by announcing the victims name that could alert the killer that they’ll soon be tracking them down. The killer may flee or commit suicide (thinking of the killer from the Reyna Marroquin case.

our curiosity doesn’t trump that in my opinion. If we haven’t heard anything in another six months then perhaps it might be worth prompting law enforcement and pushing it though.

 

[Murder Inc]

I would give LE a chance first to go through whatever process they’re going through. For example, if they believe the murderer was someone close to the victim then by announcing the victims name that could alert the killer that they’ll soon be tracking them down. The killer may flee or commit suicide (thinking of the killer from the Reyna Marroquin case.

our curiosity doesn’t trump that in my opinion. If we haven’t heard anything in another six months then perhaps it might be worth prompting law enforcement and pushing it though.

When does releasing the name of a homicide victim not alert the killer that police could "soon be tracking them down"?

 

[taramarie]

I’m not sure if there’s a law that requires the identity of a murder victim be released. Here are a few examples of homicide case Doe victims who have been identified and never publicly announced:

Identified! - NM - Bernalillo Co., WhtFem 696UFNM, 14-17, Oct'95 - Name withheld

Identified! - LA - Tallulah, WhtFem Skeletal 163UFLA, 19-23, Dec'94 - Name not found

No idea why the names weren’t released in those cases, but point is, if the name of this victim isn’t released, it wouldn’t be the first time.

 

[Murder Inc]

I’m not sure if there’s law that requires the identity of a murder victim be released. Here are a few examples of homicide case Doe victims who have been identified and never publicly announced:

Identified! - NM - Bernalillo Co., WhtFem 696UFNM, 14-17, Oct'95 - Name withheld

Identified! - LA - Tallulah, WhtFem Skeletal 163UFLA, 19-23, Dec'94 - Name not found

No idea why the names weren’t released in those cases, but point is, if the name of this victim isn’t released, it wouldn’t be the first time.
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...fem-696ufnm-14-17-oct95-name-withheld.109643/

Thanks for posting this. My understanding is Law Enforcement has no obligation to announce the victim's identities publicly, however the names of deceased are not exempt from disclosure upon request under the Freedom of Information Act.

 

[Onfortuneswheel]

I'm a little confused. Does it matter if we find out her name? LA has never hesitated to make a big PR push when they identify particularly old Doe cases - letting the public know that they never stop looking. Since that hasn't happened, shouldn't we assume that there is either an ongoing investigation or the family doesn't want the publicity? In which case, why push the matter?

 

[Murder Inc]

I'm a little confused. Does it matter if we find out her name? LA has never hesitated to make a big PR push when they identify particularly old Doe cases - letting the public know that they never stop looking. Since that hasn't happened, shouldn't we assume that there is either an ongoing investigation or the family doesn't want the publicity? In which case, why push the matter?

You're free to assume what you like, but we have laws that protect the freedom of information and the freedom of the press. Once someone is deceased, that becomes a matter of public record, and the expectation of privacy does not extend to cover the deceased individual's name.

 

[Grungster]

I couldn't care less if the identity's released or not. It's her sister's decision, and we don't know a lot about the investigation itself, but I bet it's similar to the Taylor Teaford case.

 

[Grungster]

The killer could already be in jail, I mean, who knows. If the homicide case isn't open and if an ID is made, then the family wouldn't need to publicly ID her.

 

[Bit of hope]

I'm so happy she has her name back, and family found her, that's what counts for me...such an old case.... I don't need to know her identity, we are not entitled to IMO. Yes, I'm curious, but for me it's OK if we never know her name. I hope justice can be served and her killer can be identified. Probably he? already left this world.

 

[Sillybilly]

ADMIN NOTE:

We aren't here to demand our curiosity be satisfied or to argue why LE has made the decision.

Presumably LE has valid reason for not releasing the name of this victim. As this was a murder and the sister identified the deceased, it could be there is a suspect and withholding the victim's identity is to protect the family member.

Please move on from the discussion as to why the name has not been released.

Thank you.

 

[Grungster]

A relative posted a photo of her...she left behind two kids and apparently a husband

I'm not sure if I should post it here even though the relative seemed comfortable doing so. She said that her family is grateful that we cared. If anyone wants to see the photo, it's on the Unidentified Project post on Facebook, but her post mortem photo is still up I believe.

 

[Moonwalker9]

Thank you. I believe her name was witheld to the public but the photo looks exactly like here so it's definitely her as a living person. Bittersweet when we don't get a real closure.

 

[Grungster]

Thank you. I believe her name was witheld to the public but the photo looks exactly like here so it's definitely her as a living person. Bittersweet when we don't get a real closure.

Well, “we”, don’t need closure. The family waited over 50 years to get closure knowing their loved one never left them. I’m sure it’s bittersweet for them as I’m sure they would have wanted to be given good news. I just hope they find out or already know the killer.