Identified! TX - Huntsville, 'Walker County Jane Doe', WhtFem 14-16, 91UFTX, 1 November 1980 - id'd November 2021 - Sherri Ann Jarvis (14)

[Alleykins]

In my experience the yearbooks from younger ages were not individual pictures but class pictures and if you missed that day, you were not in the yearbook.

My Junior High yearbook was set up like that, with group pictures, where my son's has individual photos.

 

[Alleykins]

In 1980 it was quite unusual to have a yearbook for schools below high school. None of the younger Carbuffs had them (schools in NY, NH, MA). My cousin in Montana did, though. So while it's possible (and probably worth poking some more if you're inclined that way), I wouldn't be surprised to find nothing.

We had them in Maine. 78-81

 

[carbuff]

We had them in Maine. 78-81

Yeah, I don't think it's regional or anything. Just hit or miss.

 

[folieadeuxnola]

Went to a few different schools all had yearbooks back to my 1st grade year that I can recall ... that would date back to 76-77 but who's counting years FOREVER 31!

I do recall some friends whom went to small mainly private christian schools that did not have a yearbook thou. This may also apply to smaller schools in rural areas, reaching back in the time machine I do remember a friend showing me a single sheet of all the students in individual photos just like a yearbook page. It was just a single sheet of her class and that was it that was all they got no yearbook.

 

[FireOwl9]

Difficult but not impossible? They went down there to the schools and questioned people even went so far as to check yearbooks. I am curious how old they thought she was initially. Did they also check middle schools? Do we know which schools they went to?

I have also been thinking about that one sketch that was done. It looks nothing like the others. It also makes her look older (closer to 17 or 18) and hair longer and more reddish.

Was it the sketch by Karen Taylor? That sketch made me think that WCJD looked like a woman in her early-mid twenties. That sketch also made WCJD look more like Orange Socks IMO.

 

[Paul B.]

Carl's original rendition of Michelle Garvey made her look late teens/early twenties instead of her actual 15.

 

[daisy6441]

Carl's original rendition of Michelle Garvey made her look late teens/early twenties instead of her actual 15.

Was it the sketch by Karen Taylor? That sketch made me think that WCJD looked like a woman in her early-mid twenties. That sketch also made WCJD look more like Orange Socks IMO.

I am talking about the one with the Walker County badge and signed G. Bean. Her hair is much longer and she looks more like a 20 something. Is that their official sketch?

 

[Nancy Drew RN]

Carl's original rendition of Michelle Garvey made her look late teens/early twenties instead of her actual 15.

I think it's hard when all you have to go by is a morgue photo with a washed face and wet hair, especially if the person was living a bit rough prior to their death.

As a more general comment, there's definitely challenges making matches from NamUs photos to sketches and reconstructions. A lot of times the comparison photo is much younger, or for an occasion (school pictures, etc.) where one might want to look more pulled together, with styled hair and makeup. I find that for most women, for early twenties or younger, makeup makes the wearer look older, while past about 35, it tends to make someone look younger or at least more refreshed. It's also true for teenagers in general that some are going to be further along in puberty than others and look more like a kid or more like an adult at the same age.

 

[carbuff]

And most reconstructions aren't meant to make an identification from, at least not the way we do it. They're meant to jog the memory of people who knew the person to say, "Hey, that's my cousin," and call LE about it.

 

[sunnynz]

I disagree with any theory that she wasn’t intending to go to the prison but rather visit somebody “near” the prison. Every prison I’ve seen, and a Google Maps image of the Ellis Unit is no exception, is situated in a place where there are no houses/neighborhoods around it, just farm fields and desolation.

Which makes sense. It’s a matter of public safety. I mean, would you buy a house near a prison?

I still find it hard to fathom she was intending on visiting an inmate - the last two sightings of her when she was asking directions were at 6.30pm and later at night at that time of year when it's dark. Surely she didn't think she'd be able to get to visit an inmate at night. IMO if she were going to visit an inmate she'd be more likely asking around to find a bed for the night than directions to the prison. That's what makes me think it was someone who worked there who she thought would be either finishing a shift or able to give her access to where they worked, or that she was looking for a residence right by the prison.

I know teenagers aren't always logical but it just seems too weird to me.

 

[Gardener1850]

I still find it hard to fathom she was intending on visiting an inmate - the last two sightings of her when she was asking directions were at 6.30pm and later at night at that time of year when it's dark. Surely she didn't think she'd be able to get to visit an inmate at night. IMO if she were going to visit an inmate she'd be more likely asking around to find a bed for the night than directions to the prison. That's what makes me think it was someone who worked there who she thought would be either finishing a shift or able to give her access to where they worked, or that she was looking for a residence right by the prison.

I know teenagers aren't always logical but it just seems too weird to me.

I have always felt like the prison may be a red herring in this case. It's Halloween night, it's getting dark outside and a teen girl is trying to get to a prison? She later ends up murdered and left by the side of the road. It is like something out of a horror movie. At the same time, I remember being a teen and doing things to try to scare or shock adults on Halloween-- like asking for directions to the nearest cemetery so we could look for ghosts. It was often a desire for attention (although I didn't realize it at the time) and out of boredom because we were too old for treat or treating. I almost wonder if she was hoping someone would show concern for her trying to get to the prison and offer her a safe place to stay that night. Why didn't the adults who questioned how old she was also tell her that the prison wouldn't be open for visitors at night? I'm not blaming them, of course, they had no way of know what was about to happen to her. But it makes me feel like her request for directions might not have been taken seriously. Perhaps she wasn't actually trying to get to the prison at all. IDK. Every time I look at WCJD's case I think of new things.

 

[carbuff]

That's a very good thought.

I sometimes wonder about a Halloween party.

 

[bringherhome]

Hello all,
Wanted to give everyone a heads up I made a video for our Jane Doe, please check it out and share.This video was personal and special for me,I composed the music so this is her very own song.Every melody....emotion....I tried to put myself in her shoes,what was she thinking....feeling?A stranger in a strange land.....I hope I got it right.
Anyway please share,let’s get the word out.

Thanks
Moises

 

[sunnynz]

Hello all,
Wanted to give everyone a heads up I made a video for our Jane Doe, please check it out and share.This video was personal and special for me,I composed the music so this is her very own song.Every melody....emotion....I tried to put myself in her shoes,what was she thinking....feeling?A stranger in a strange land.....I hope I got it right.
Anyway please share,let’s get the word out.

Thanks
Moises

That's a great summary of the case. Thanks for sharing with us.

 

[AmonAmarther]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before... Has somebody talked to her agency about the DDP? If so, do you know if they're contacting DNA Doe Project anytime soon?

 

[Mrs. Badcrumble]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before... Has somebody talked to her agency about the DDP? If so, do you know if they're contacting DNA Doe Project anytime soon?

TX - Huntsville, 'Walker County Jane Doe' WhtFem 91UFTX, 14-16, Nov'80 *GRAPHIC*

 

[italianbella]

They should do an Isotope testing then it will give a general idea of the location she was from which might bring new leads. I truly think she was someone in the foster system because I think if she ran away from her family, she would have possibly been ID'ED by now.

 

[Paul B.]

that assumes that her family *wanted* to look for her or cared what happened to her.

I've named WCJD "Ruth Ellen" as my own personal name for her

 

[Adrian_Almost_Sleuth]

Could she have been apart of some group home for teens or girls? That at least would explain her good condition if there weren't any family looking for her. It's just baffling that she hasn't been identified yet, considering she's probably one of the most well known UID's.

 

[Paul B.]

Could she have been apart of some group home for teens or girls? That at least would explain her good condition if there weren't any family looking for her. It's just baffling that she hasn't been identified yet, considering she's probably one of the most well known UID's.

That suggests that people that know who she is are not looking for her or don't want to identify her.