Found Deceased NV - Melinda Beardsley, 30, Reno, December 16, 1976 *remains found December 1977 - id'd March 2026*

[victoriarobinson642]

Added to the Doe Network today (09/18/25), not in NAMUS

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/mp-main.html?id=5330DFNV

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Name: Melinda Beardsley
Case Classification: Missing
Missing Since: December 16, 1976
Location Last Seen: Reno, Washoe County, Nevada

Physical Description​

Date of Birth: October 10, 1946
Age: 30 years old
Race: White / Caucasian
Gender: Female
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 170 lbs
Hair Color: Dark brown, thick, and coarse
Eye Color: Dark brown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Crooked left incisor

Circumstances of Disappearance​

Melinda was last known to be living in Carson City, Nevada. In December of 1976, she was arrested for driving under the influence in Reno. A newspaper article about the incident listed her address in Carson City, providing the last confirmed record of her whereabouts. Originally from Michigan, Melinda also lived in California and Nevada during her life. She was a mother and described as being very close to her family, remaining in regular contact with them until the mid-1970s. The DUI arrest record from 1976 is the final proof of life her family has been able to locate.
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[HopeRains]

The arrest was reported in the Dec 16th Reno Gazette paper (kind of "fast", if you will, if it occurred same day given print deadlines, etc). I wonder if she was actually arrested prior to Dec 16.

Article clipped from Reno Gazette-Journal

Clipping found in Reno Gazette-Journal published in Reno, Nevada on 12/16/1976.

www.newspapers.com

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Melinda got married in 1964, at age 17, to KGC, 23. Their son was born a few months later.

 

[The4TierBridge]

She was added to NamUs today as #MP152455, case number 25-23182 and report date November 18, 2025 (today); The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

"Chosen Name/Nickname/Alias: "Pip" (nickname); Melinda Clausen; Melinda Dominque"

"Circumstances of Disappearance: Melinda was last known to be in the Reno / Carson City area on 12/16/1976. She also has prior ties to California and Michigan."

 

[translator]

TheDoeNetwork mentions Melinda “possibly had her teeth removed and replaced”.

And if I’m reading things correctly, it seems she hadn’t been in much contact with her family even prior to the arrest record date?

In terms of geography, the closest match would seem to be UP6296 who was found in Emigrant Gap, California in December 1977. 25-35yo, 5’8”, 140lbs (Melinda was 170lbs but Doe had stretch marks believed to be associated with recent weight loss), brown eyes, dark brown hair. The Doe had a removable partial dental plate replacing upper four incisors, however, so it would be interesting to know more about Melinda possibly having had her “teeth removed and replaced”.

Picture of UP

 

[eoyste]

TheDoeNetwork mentions Melinda “possibly had her teeth removed and replaced”.

And if I’m reading things correctly, it seems she hadn’t been in much contact with her family even prior to the arrest record date?

In terms of geography, the closest match would seem to be UP6296 who was found in Emigrant Gap, California in December 1977. 25-35yo, 5’8”, 140lbs (Melinda was 170lbs but Doe had stretch marks believed to be associated with recent weight loss), brown eyes, dark brown hair. The Doe had a removable partial dental plate replacing upper four incisors, however, so it would be interesting to know more about Melinda possibly having had her “teeth removed and replaced”.

Picture of UP

It appears that they both likely have DNA available to compare so hopefully that is what's happening now that Melinda has been added to NamUs!

 

[Pennysmom1]

 

[Pennysmom1]

update 11/19/25 (not sure what was added or changed)

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/mp-main.html?id=5330DFNV

Nickname/Alias: Melinda Clausen, Melinda Dominque, and Melinda Leblanna. She also went by the nickname Pip.

Date of Birth: October 10, 1946

Identifiers​

Dentals: Unknown
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown

 

[iulia]

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Hmmm.....

 

[The4TierBridge]

Hmmm.....

What kind of "hmmm...."?

I think there's one somewhat obvious conclusion to this case and we just need to wait on an announcement.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

What kind of "hmmm...."?

I think there's one somewhat obvious conclusion to this case and we just need to wait on an announcement.

It's interesting to see that the Doe Network took her page down before Moxxy did.

 

[iulia]

Her NamUs page has been removed.

 

[Aegon_the_Conqueror]

TheDoeNetwork mentions Melinda “possibly had her teeth removed and replaced”.

And if I’m reading things correctly, it seems she hadn’t been in much contact with her family even prior to the arrest record date?

In terms of geography, the closest match would seem to be UP6296 who was found in Emigrant Gap, California in December 1977. 25-35yo, 5’8”, 140lbs (Melinda was 170lbs but Doe had stretch marks believed to be associated with recent weight loss), brown eyes, dark brown hair. The Doe had a removable partial dental plate replacing upper four incisors, however, so it would be interesting to know more about Melinda possibly having had her “teeth removed and replaced”.

Picture of UP

Her NamUs page has been removed.

Both of these have now been taken down. Coincidence?

 

[iulia]

Both of these have now been taken down. Coincidence?

We’re awaiting official confirmation.

 

[Aegon_the_Conqueror]

We’re awaiting official confirmation.

According to the Wayback Machine, both of their NamUs profiles were last edited yesterday, 8 min 43 sec apart.

 

[dotr]

March 18, 2026

Nevada woman missing since 1970s identified in decades-old California cold case

After nearly five decades of mystery, a woman found dead in the Sierra Nevada snow has finally been identified.The Placer County Sheriff’s Office says the woman

news3lv.com

'After nearly five decades of mystery, a woman found dead in the Sierra Nevada snow has finally been identified.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office says the woman long known as the “Emigrant Gap Jane Doe” is Melinda “Pip” Beardsley, a mother who had been missing since the mid-1970s. The identification comes after years of investigative work, advances in DNA technology, and collaboration between multiple agencies and nonprofit organizations.'

'While the identification brings long-awaited answers to her family, the case is far from over. Investigators say the homicide remains active, and they are continuing to work to find whoever is responsible for her death.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Placer County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Tip Line at (530) 889-7830.'

• https://www.doenetwork.org/closed2026.phpMelinda Beardsley​

  
  
  'Melinda Beardsley (5330DFNV) missing since December 16, 1976 from Carson City, Nevada. Her case has been closed per Moxxy Forensic Investigations. No further information is available.'

• ​

 

[Rikissa]

Her thread on WS as Unidentified:

Resolved Thread 'CA - Emigrant Gap, WhtFem 640UFCA, 25-35, near I-80 in snowbank, 17 December 1977 *id'd March 2026 - Melinda “Pip” Beardsley*'

Jun 24, 2010

The Doe Network:
Case File 640UFCA
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/640ufca.html

Reconstruction of Victim

Unidentified White Female

* The victim was discovered on December 17, 1977 in Placer County, California
* Estimated Date of Death: 2-6 days prior

Vital Statistics

* Estimated age: 25-35 years old
* Approximate Height and Weight: 5'8"; 145 lbs.
* Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown eyes...

• CarlK90245
• Replies: 50
• Forum: Identified!

•