NM NM - Newkirk, WhtFem, 20's, UP138109, strangled and beaten, found hanging from tree, gave birth shorly before death, March'75

[heartanium]

NAMUS UP138109
*PM WARNING AT LINK*
Unidentified Female
Location Found: Newkirk, Guadalupe County, New Mexico
Date Found: March 25, 1975

Race: White/Caucasian
PMI: Unknown
Estimated year of Death: Unknown
Estimated Age: Adult (Namus), 20's (newspapers)
Height: 5' 4"(64 inches) , Measured
Weight: 135 lbs, Measured
Hair: Blond/Strawberry
Eye Color: Blue
Clothing: Levi Denim Jacket, White T-shirt with lettering that says "Super Jobs in the Air Force". The writing is on a blue and white cloud-like outline, Levi pants that are men's style.
Shoes: Brown Loafer style Shoes.
Circumstances: Found on a ranch by a rancher.

Condition of Remains: Recognizable face
Inventory of Remains: Unknown

Agency Info:
ME/C Case Number: 1975-01565

Guadalupe County Sheriff's Department - (575) 472-3711
Agency Case Number: Unknown

0 Exclusions

Case Media:

"Woman Apparently Strangled," Clovis News-Journal, March 26, 1975, pg 1.

Found Tuesday near N.M Road 129 about two miles north of Newkirk around 3-3:30 p.m.. She was in her 20s and was hanging from a Pinon tree, bound to the tree by her wrists with a nylon-type rope. Cause of death appeared to be strangulation.

She had numerous contusions and abrasions on her head...it didn't appear as if there were any wounds, only bruises.

"Identity Sought In Strangulation," Clovis News-Journal, March 27, 1975, pg 1.

Fingerprints were available at the time. She was discovered by a ranch worker about 50 feet off New Mexico 129, two miles north Newkirk. She had blond hair, was wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt and a faded denim jacket.

Signs indicated a car had driven up to the locked ranch gate and the she’d been pulled under the 18 inch high gate.

"State and Locally" Las Cruces Sun-News, March 28, 1975, pg 1.

"Police Hunting Slain Woman's Companion," Albuquerque Journal, March 30, 1975, pg 52.

"Hunt on for Nancy's killer," The Santa Fe New Mexican, March 30, 1975, pg 2.

"Strangled Woman Gave Birth To Child Before Her Death," Albuquerque Journal, April 1, 1975, pg 8.

Autopsy showed she gave birth a week or so before her death.

"Tentative identity reported," Las Vegas Optic, April 2, 1975, pg 1.

Autopsy revealed she had given birth at least two weeks prior to her death.

"ID on Body was Wrong," Albuquerque Journal, April 4, 1975, pg 2.

She was mistakenly identified as Nancy Stroud, 22, of Galveston, Texas. A warrant for the arrest of Michael Mosley for questioning in connection with the death was canceled.

"Body of Infant Unidentified," Albuquerque Journal, April 18, 1975, pg 49.

Tucumcari Police would perform an autopsy on the body of a full-term, recently born baby boy’s body found floating in an irrigation ditch. He appeared to be in the water anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

It was unknown if the newborn belonged to the Jane Doe.

 

[HmmMysterious]

This definitely sounds like a job for @CarlK90245

Was the infant proven to be this Jane Doe's child? Her NamUs doesn't mention that

 

[ChatteringBirds]

How did they realize she was misidentified? What a tragic case.

 

[heartanium]

This definitely sounds like a job for @CarlK90245

Was the infant proven to be this Jane Doe's child? Her NamUs doesn't mention that

I'm not sure, I looked in newspapers and couldn't find any mention of the infant being identified. No case that matches it on Namus either. It may be a case that hasn't been entered yet if the infant is still unidentified.

 

[heartanium]

How did they realize she was misidentified? What a tragic case.

Nancy Shroud was found safe in University City, Missouri and called her parents after the identification was announced. She had been mistakenly identified as this Doe by her brother in law from Texas.

 

[lightofmine99]

I don't see where the baby has a NamUs.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Super Jobs In The Air Force Vintage Screenline Ballpoint Pen • $2.99

SUPER JOBS IN The Air Force Vintage Screenline Ballpoint Pen - $2.99. FOR SALE! Super Jobs In The Air Force Vintage Screenline Ballpoint Pen Does Not Write Display Only ball point ink advertising writing instrument biro ball pen 305700613859

picclick.com

I believe this was her shirt.

 

[kdsmith21]

Bizarre. I wonder if she was killed so her baby could be taken? maybe been raised all these years by someone else

 

[Owutatangledweb]

Geographic area, timing and fact she just had a baby in 1975 make me think of Terry Rassmussen and the middle child. That is, if the baby boy they found doesn't match this person's DNA!

 

[heartanium]

Case modified Feb 24, 2025 but can't see any public changes.

 

[doublestop]

The hair in the post-mortem photo sure looks dark for them to describe it as strawberry blonde.

 

[LucyOso]

Geographic area, timing and fact she just had a baby in 1975 make me think of Terry Rassmussen and the middle child. That is, if the baby boy they found doesn't match this person's DNA!

I totally thought of that as well. Wondering if Terry would have been able to manage a week old infant. We know he used the single father persona to lure in women...

 

[FromGermany1]

Nancy Shroud was found safe in University City, Missouri and called her parents after the identification was announced. She had been mistakenly identified as this Doe by her brother in law from Texas.

Do we know Nancy's story and do we know, why her b-i-l thought, it was her? Was she ever missing at all before the time of finding the strangled victim? At the moment it doesn't make sense to me.

 

[LucyOso]

I see several potentials. Couple of thoughts, this UID could have been missing/runaway for some time. Family might not be looking for someone who recently gave birth. Family might not have known they were pregnant. Those missing closer to when UID was found might not have disclosed a pregnancy. Younger vulnerable girls could easily end up in situations with older men that end with DV. Especially if she showed up on a doorstep with a new baby....

The other thought is no-one knows she is missing because her partner/perp told family that she died maybe from child birth complications. She might have a death notice out there or obituary.

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/mp-main.html?id=5032dfwv

Mary Patricia Fiano​

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Catherine Ann Rubar


Aleca Renee Manning

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Nancy Marie O’Sullivan​

Nancy Marie O’Sullivan – The Charley Project

Lisa Joy White​

Lisa Joy White – The Charley Project

 

[LucyOso]

Do we know Nancy's story and do we know, why her b-i-l thought, it was her? Was she ever missing at all before the time of finding the strangled victim? At the moment it doesn't make sense to me.

UP138109 - 8

Clipping found in Albuquerque Journal published in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 4/4/1975. UP138109 - 8

www.newspapers.com

This article reports Nancy was traveling around with a companion. She must have been "missing" or family felt she was due to limited to no contact. Because the victim was beaten, this can distort facial features, and brother-in-law made an honest mistake...

 

[LucyOso]

I posted above about a young woman showing up with an infant on a door step, possible affair situation and the potential father reacting poorly.

Found something very interesting...the geographical location and timelines are very interesting.


April 18th-News Paper Clipping-Tucumcari-Body of Infant Unidentified.

UP138109 - 9

Clipping found in Albuquerque Journal published in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 4/18/1975. UP138109 - 9

www.newspapers.com

April 21st publication- Summary-Logan, NM On April 19th, Robert McFarland, prominent member of the community, kills wife and 4 children. No motive established.

Kathy Lee Kelley McFarland Clovis News 4/21/1975

Clipping found in Clovis News-Journal published in Clovis, New Mexico on 4/21/1975. Kathy Lee Kelley McFarland Clovis News 4/21/1975

www.newspapers.com

page 2

Clipping found in Clovis News-Journal published in Clovis, New Mexico on 4/21/1975. page 2

www.newspapers.com

Newkirk-Tucumcari-Logan

 

[heartanium]

Do we know Nancy's story and do we know, why her b-i-l thought, it was her? Was she ever missing at all before the time of finding the strangled victim? At the moment it doesn't make sense to me.

UP138109 - 8

Clipping found in Albuquerque Journal published in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 4/4/1975. UP138109 - 8

www.newspapers.com

This article reports Nancy was traveling around with a companion. She must have been "missing" or family felt she was due to limited to no contact. Because the victim was beaten, this can distort facial features, and brother-in-law made an honest mistake...

I second what Lucy said here - I do want to add that in the articles I've read it sounded like the Nancy and her comapnion were traveling around to several states before this Doe was found (California, New Mexico, Texas, Georgia) so her family may have not known her exact whareabouts. She did have contact with her family about a week before this body was found when she requested money from her family while in Santa Rosa, NM. She apparently closley fit the physical description to this Doe.

Sometime after this body was found her traveling companion seperated from Nancy and he was spotted alone in Texas, hence why I believe they thought she was missing.

 

[heartanium]

I was curious about her shirt, it looks like it was part of a campaign promoting jobs in the airforce. The campaign started in 1973, but the shirts itself were produced around February 1975.

The Bridgeport Post, February 9, 1975, pg 30.

The campaign was nationwide and was aimed at new graduates (this specific ad mentions from ages 17-27.)

The Clarke County Tribune, September 26, 1975, pg 14.

 

[LucyOso]

I was curious about her shirt, it looks like it was part of a campaign promoting jobs in the airforce. The campaign started in 1973, but the shirts itself were produced around February 1975.

The Bridgeport Post, February 9, 1975, pg 30.

The campaign was nationwide and was aimed at new graduates (this specific ad mentions from ages 17-27.)

The Clarke County Tribune, September 26, 1975, pg 14.

The first article is great! It literally has the locations where recruiting effort (with possible t-shirts) took place. That can narrow things down. Young woman gets pregnant, needs a job, career, sign-up. Wonder if there are records that list of young woman signing up but never completing the process?




I could totally see this young woman showing up on the doorstep of someone's house with an affair baby and saying they got a job. Someone maybe still "in love with" the man. This could be a total threat to a prominent family. I do think the McFarland murder-suicide is possibly related.


Before 1975, being pregnant while in the military was not allowed. As a result, pregnant women were involuntarily separated. However, a new policy in 1975 allowed women to continue to serve while pregnant and after giving birth. I am not sure how that worked if say, she was unmarried or no child was on the birth certificate?

 

[Rush4087]

A long shot, but does anybody know if any evidence is still available, or if there might be DNA?