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

[yogasleuther]

I somewhat disagree, I'm inclined to think that the carnie life can be very "cultish." These people seem to watch out for one another, and are somewhat like a big family.

I guess those Lewis's if they're alive is the clue. Also... In looking at her post mortem pic, I remember somebody way back in the thread commenting that she looked a little Spanish or Mexican ... And when CarlK spoke of Gertrude saying Lewis has a "bayou" or Alabama accent...does anyone else feel like this is a fit? Cathy doesn't look Spanish or Mexican .

 

[carbuff]

I've always wondered if someone in her family either caused her death, or didn't report her missing because they were glad she was gone. And her "who cares" might have meant she was glad to be gone, too.

But that's just one of many things I've wondered.

Another is what happened to the guy who dropped her off, and if he knows anything. I kind of think he continued on his way, living his own life, and doesn't even know that the girl he gave a ride to was a murder victim.

 

[Owutatangledweb]

I came across the following thread and wondered if it could have anything to do with the unidentified Kathy talked about in this thread at times.

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/s...sible-name-Cathy-Mar-81&highlight=Cowboy+boot

 

[Ibiz]

I've always wondered if someone in her family either caused her death, or didn't report her missing because they were glad she was gone. And her "who cares" might have meant she was glad to be gone, too.

But that's just one of many things I've wondered.

Another is what happened to the guy who dropped her off, and if he knows anything. I kind of think he continued on his way, living his own life, and doesn't even know that the girl he gave a ride to was a murder victim.

Being a 14-year-old-girl, I don't see how her whole family would be glad she was gone. She would had to be the rottenest little girl in the world.

 

[carbuff]

Being a 14-year-old-girl, I don't see how her whole family would be glad she was gone. She would had to be the rottenest little girl in the world.

Well of course it wouldn't be because of her personality. I'm thinking of situations like a second wife jealous of the first wife's daughter, or an abusive situation where one spouse no longer had to worry about what the other was doing, or something along those lines. And more likely not actively glad, just too busy with life and other kids and whatnot.

 

[Ibiz]

Well of course it wouldn't be because of her personality. I'm thinking of situations like a second wife jealous of the first wife's daughter, or an abusive situation where one spouse no longer had to worry about what the other was doing, or something along those lines. And more likely not actively glad, just too busy with life and other kids and whatnot.

Oh I gotcha, that actually happened to my grandma when she was about 14 or 15. Her stepmother chased her out the door smacking her with a hair brush. She said she left and never went back.

 

[carbuff]

Oh I gotcha, that actually happened to my grandma when she was about 14 or 15. Her stepmother chased her out the door smacking her with a hair brush. She said she left and never went back.

Yeah, exactly, it happened to a girl I went to high school with, too. It's shockingly common.

 

[Roselvr]

Being a 14-year-old-girl, I don't see how her whole family would be glad she was gone. She would had to be the rottenest little girl in the world.

Not necessarily. Her family could be the rotten ones. Let's face it, she wasn't a bad looking girl. Could have been jealous or not like her for many reasons. She could have also been adopted.

Hopefully one day she'll be identified.

 

[Bit of hope]

Biting my tongue off here, because I don't want to be caught up in a conversation about why and/or/how this sweet child was a runaway or a push-away. An interesting question is: who was the person that dropped her off. It's a pity he/she never came forward to tell if he knew her or where he picked her up.

 

[carbuff]

Biting my tongue off here, because I don't want to be caught up in a conversation about why and/or/how this sweet child was a runaway or a push-away. An interesting question is: who was the person that dropped her off. It's a pity he/she never came forward to tell if he knew her or where he picked her up.

Yeah, it's not directly relevant. Only that her background might yield a hint about another direction to look for where she came from.

I suspect that the guy she got a ride with probably went on with his trip and never heard about the murder, or if he did, didn't connect it to his rider.

 

[leilarose68]

I really feel that WCJD's parents just didn't care much about her, didn't treat her well and thus weren't surprised when she disappeared... they probably think she started a new life somewhere & are letting her be. That's my guess.

 

[Alleykins]

She could have been an orphan, or in a girls' home.
Patricia Taylor was in a girls' home in OK, a ward of the state when she went missing in 1981. She told some of her coworkers she was running away, and had done so before, but always came back. As far as I can tell by what her family has posted, OK DHHS didn't even report her missing, just closed out her case when she aged out of the system two years later. They didn't even tell her family back then she was gone. How lousy is that? If her family hadn't gone to them to find out what happened to her, her MP case would never have come to the light of day.
This could be a similar situation.

 

[Bit of hope]

Yeah, it's not directly relevant. Only that her background might yield a hint about another direction to look for where she came from.

I suspect that the guy she got a ride with probably went on with his trip and never heard about the murder, or if he did, didn't connect it to his rider.

I know what you mean....I keep my eyes and mind open....

 

[Jdart14]

Welcome to WS, and thanks for joining the discussion.

My own opinion is that WCJD's killer was a truck driver. That would certainly include Rhodes, but not Shore.

Shore was only 18 at the time of WCJD's murder, and his M.O. was apparently to stalk his victims within his own neighborhood.

WCJD was last seen walking out the door of the restaurant at the Hitchin Post Truck Stop (which is adjacent to the northbound onramp of I-45), and was then found dead the following morning 3 1/2 miles north of there.

There was no place between those locations where the killer would have been able to park a vehicle so that he could commit the assault, torture, rape, and murder without risking been seen by a passing motorist. The assault against her would have been difficult to pull off on the side of a highway, and the evidence suggested that her body was thrown into the position in which she was found. (probably from a vehicle that was high above the ground)

The killer would have needed privacy in an enclosed area to perform the act. A truck's sleeper compartment would have provided that privacy. An ordinary vehicle would not have afforded that level of privacy.
IMO, the Hitchin Post parking lot was the only place between the HP and the dump site where the murder could have occurred. And there was plenty of space for a trucker to park his vehicle in a far corner of the lot, away from the other trucks.

All of that would make Shore an unlikely suspect, because even if he had a vehicle, he didn't have the type of vehicle that would have enabled him to commit the crime without notice.

Did they get rhodes truck when he was apprehended. Any way to know what kind evidence was collected from there or his residence I haven't seen that kind of information made public? Where there attempts to match any other potential suspects dental records to her bite imprints left?

 

[Armchair-reader]

Yes they have or had it. I tried to post a link but it didn't work. If you Google it, you will find it.

 

[Jdart14]

Yes they have or had it. I tried to post a link but it didn't work. If you Google it, you will find it.

Got it thanks.

 

[Jdart14]

Not sure if any of you follow "who was walker county Jane doe" on FB. But thought I would share this unconfirmed development in case it Sparks some discussion or reaches someone who can help.

I recently received a series of comments on the last promoted post, from a long-term resident of Aransas Pass named Theresa. I spoke with Theresa on the phone this morning, and I will summarize the info she provided in the comments of the thread, and during the telephone conversation.

I offer no opinion of the credibility of this information. I am putting it out and am asking the residents of Aransas Pass/Rockport if the following information might remind them of anyone they might have known.

I did forward this information to Detective Bean of the Walker County Sheriff Department.

_____________________

Theresa started the comments by saying that a male friend of hers knew the girl. He says her last name is Louis, but he didn’t know her first name. In the subsequent telephone conversation, she said the surname might have been spelled Lewis, and as she recalls, her first name might have been Elaine, or something like that.

The girl's father worked for Theresa's aunt, whose name was Gertrude Kelly. Ms. Kelly owned a concession associated with the Wagner’s Carnival company in Aransas Pass, and passed away some time in the 1980's. Wagner's would run carnivals that operated in the Eastern Texas area surrounding Corpus Christi. There were many drifter types who would travel in and out of the area to work the carnivals and on the shrimp boats. Many of those persons had criminal records.

Mr. Louis/Lewis had an arrest record, she believes for drug related offenses. His job was to set up and take down the carnival rides. He was of medium height & weight, had sandy colored hair and blue eyes, and spoke with a "Louisiana Bayou" or Cajun accent. But he lived in the Rockport area. Theresa said everyone addressed each other by their last names, so she didn’t know his first name

The girl's mother might have been named Sonya (but Theresa wasn't sure). Sonya lived in Rockport and frequented the bars in the area.

Theresa remembers the girl, because she was concerned that the girl was hanging out with the older men who were working the carnival. She asked Mr. Louis about the girl out of concern for her well being, since many of these men were of dubious character. Mr. Louis told Theresa that it was no problem, that she was his daughter.

 

[Hstevenson86]

Not sure if any of you follow "who was walker county Jane doe" on FB. But thought I would share this unconfirmed development in case it Sparks some discussion or reaches someone who can help.

I recently received a series of comments on the last promoted post, from a long-term resident of Aransas Pass named Theresa. I spoke with Theresa on the phone this morning, and I will summarize the info she provided in the comments of the thread, and during the telephone conversation.

I offer no opinion of the credibility of this information. I am putting it out and am asking the residents of Aransas Pass/Rockport if the following information might remind them of anyone they might have known.

I did forward this information to Detective Bean of the Walker County Sheriff Department.

_____________________

Theresa started the comments by saying that a male friend of hers knew the girl. He says her last name is Louis, but he didn’t know her first name. In the subsequent telephone conversation, she said the surname might have been spelled Lewis, and as she recalls, her first name might have been Elaine, or something like that.

The girl's father worked for Theresa's aunt, whose name was Gertrude Kelly. Ms. Kelly owned a concession associated with the Wagner’s Carnival company in Aransas Pass, and passed away some time in the 1980's. Wagner's would run carnivals that operated in the Eastern Texas area surrounding Corpus Christi. There were many drifter types who would travel in and out of the area to work the carnivals and on the shrimp boats. Many of those persons had criminal records.

Mr. Louis/Lewis had an arrest record, she believes for drug related offenses. His job was to set up and take down the carnival rides. He was of medium height & weight, had sandy colored hair and blue eyes, and spoke with a "Louisiana Bayou" or Cajun accent. But he lived in the Rockport area. Theresa said everyone addressed each other by their last names, so she didn’t know his first name

The girl's mother might have been named Sonya (but Theresa wasn't sure). Sonya lived in Rockport and frequented the bars in the area.

Theresa remembers the girl, because she was concerned that the girl was hanging out with the older men who were working the carnival. She asked Mr. Louis about the girl out of concern for her well being, since many of these men were of dubious character. Mr. Louis told Theresa that it was no problem, that she was his daughter.

Wow! That is definitely intriguing! Off I go to dig


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[Jdart14]

Fyi the "girl" in question is the girl "Kathy or Kathleen". Brought forward in the 2015 development.

 

[sunnynz]

Not sure if any of you follow "who was walker county Jane doe" on FB. But thought I would share this unconfirmed development in case it Sparks some discussion or reaches someone who can help.

I recently received a series of comments on the last promoted post, from a long-term resident of Aransas Pass named Theresa. I spoke with Theresa on the phone this morning, and I will summarize the info she provided in the comments of the thread, and during the telephone conversation.

I offer no opinion of the credibility of this information. I am putting it out and am asking the residents of Aransas Pass/Rockport if the following information might remind them of anyone they might have known.

I did forward this information to Detective Bean of the Walker County Sheriff Department.

_____________________

Theresa started the comments by saying that a male friend of hers knew the girl. He says her last name is Louis, but he didn’t know her first name. In the subsequent telephone conversation, she said the surname might have been spelled Lewis, and as she recalls, her first name might have been Elaine, or something like that.

The girl's father worked for Theresa's aunt, whose name was Gertrude Kelly. Ms. Kelly owned a concession associated with the Wagner’s Carnival company in Aransas Pass, and passed away some time in the 1980's. Wagner's would run carnivals that operated in the Eastern Texas area surrounding Corpus Christi. There were many drifter types who would travel in and out of the area to work the carnivals and on the shrimp boats. Many of those persons had criminal records.

Mr. Louis/Lewis had an arrest record, she believes for drug related offenses. His job was to set up and take down the carnival rides. He was of medium height & weight, had sandy colored hair and blue eyes, and spoke with a "Louisiana Bayou" or Cajun accent. But he lived in the Rockport area. Theresa said everyone addressed each other by their last names, so she didn’t know his first name

The girl's mother might have been named Sonya (but Theresa wasn't sure). Sonya lived in Rockport and frequented the bars in the area.

Theresa remembers the girl, because she was concerned that the girl was hanging out with the older men who were working the carnival. She asked Mr. Louis about the girl out of concern for her well being, since many of these men were of dubious character. Mr. Louis told Theresa that it was no problem, that she was his daughter.

Welcome to websleuths!

Yes CarlK shared this already and we have discussed at some length (have a read back through the last couple of pages of the thread). I understand that CarlK is the admin of that Facebook group and is the one who has had the conversations directly with Theresa.

If you're interested in this case it's worth reading back through this whole thread - or at least skim reading - a lot of interesting info and discussion.