CA UP53209 Jane Doe, La Jolla CA (Jan 2018)

[Lwieckowicz]

On January 26th, 2018 a deceased woman was found lying in a riverbed in a ravine off of Via Alicante and Gilman Drive in La Jolla, California. At the time of the discovery there was around 8-12 in of water in the riverbed.

She was described as a white female, 5’6 in tall, around 130-170 lbs and between the ages 30 and 55. A few identifying characteristics including a healing left femur fracture and the left leg amputated below the knee. Jane doe also had tattoos including a flower on the top of her right foot and palm trees and butterflies on the back of her right lower leg. Personal items found with the body were articles of clothing including a black t-shirt, jean shorts, a tan bra, one gray athletic shoe, a blue and white beaded necklace, a white and orange beaded necklace and an earring. Her estimated year of death is listed as between 2017 and 2018.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

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

www.namus.gov

Distinctive flower tattoo on foot


T-shirt found on the body




Jewelry found on the body

 

[Lwieckowicz]

Coordinates where the body was located


Street view of location

 

[Lwieckowicz]

I just noticed the skeleton’s toes on the shirt appear to say “never sleep” does anybody recognize this brand??

 

[Lwieckowicz]

View attachment 404410
I just noticed the skeleton’s toes on the shirt appear to say “never sleep” does anybody recognize this brand??

I reached out to a brand called Never Sleep out of Lancaster CA that had some skeleton designs as well but the artist confirmed it is not their stuff.

 

[annemc2]

I wish they'd show the rest of the t-shirt. It's weird how the necklaces are so clean. They usually don't wash jewelry for the photos -it just seems like they'd be muddy like everything else. How many young-ish tattooed amputees are unaccounted for? It would be interesting to know the shoe brand, as well. She might have bought it from a place that sells single shoes.

I wonder what stage of healing the stump was in, as the femur fracture wasn't completely healed. It takes awhile to get the limb ready to attempt prosthesis fittings. Indicates that the leg injuries were likely traumatic. I wonder if there were any other visible healing injuries, especially to the left side (ribs, pelvis, etc)?

 

[Lwieckowicz]

I wish they'd show the rest of the t-shirt. It's weird how the necklaces are so clean. They usually don't wash jewelry for the photos -it just seems like they'd be muddy like everything else. How many young-ish tattooed amputees are unaccounted for? It would be interesting to know the shoe brand, as well. She might have bought it from a place that sells single shoes.

I wonder what stage of healing the stump was in, as the femur fracture wasn't completely healed. It takes awhile to get the limb ready to attempt prosthesis fittings. Indicates that the leg injuries were likely traumatic. I wonder if there were any other visible healing injuries, especially to the left side (ribs, pelvis, etc)?

Yeah the part of the shirt it does show looks like it’s got more letters possibly “pun”? Very hard to say from the one partial shot of it. I hadn’t thought about the necklaces looking clean. From what it sounded like the femur was still healing so maybe she hadn’t had the leg amputated for very long. MOO

 

[HopeRains]

Just poking around on the internet, the fracture to her femur could have occurred After the amputation and not been a part of the original injury requiring the amputation. While apparently rare, it does occur. (see info below). I also read that average time for healing of a femur fracture is approximately 4-6 months. It's difficult to imagine that she would have ventured far from medical services if she was be treated for the fracture (which apparently also includes physical therapy, etc). Many medical facilities in that area, to include the naval hospital and facilities given close proximity to navy base in San Diego.

La Jolla is a beautiful area and definitely touristy - I've been there. Outside of San Diego. It's where everyone goes to see the sea lions - lots of cool restaurants, shops, etc. I noted on the map provided that her location was also < 1/2 mile from I-5 and within only a couple of miles of the ocean/beach.

I think the word at the bottom of the T-shirt might be "Run".

NIH National Library of Medicine

 

[Lwieckowicz]

Just poking around on the internet, the fracture to her femur could have occurred After the amputation and not been a part of the original injury requiring the amputation. While apparently rare, it does occur. (see info below). I also read that average time for healing of a femur fracture is approximately 4-6 months. It's difficult to imagine that she would have ventured far from medical services if she was be treated for the fracture (which apparently also includes physical therapy, etc). Many medical facilities in that area, to include the naval hospital and facilities given close proximity to navy base in San Diego.

La Jolla is a beautiful area and definitely touristy - I've been there. Outside of San Diego. It's where everyone goes to see the sea lions - lots of cool restaurants, shops, etc. I noted on the map provided that her location was also < 1/2 mile from I-5 and within only a couple of miles of the ocean/beach.

I think the word at the bottom of the T-shirt might be "Run".

NIH National Library of Medicine
View attachment 404581

Thats good information to know the time frame in which she could have been healing after the injury

 

[Caring1]

Bump

 

[pamster]

View attachment 404410
I just noticed the skeleton’s toes on the shirt appear to say “never sleep” does anybody recognize this brand??

I also looked for this design, but haven't found any leads. I saw some old medical illustration books with similarly shaped (but much more detailed) looking drawings, but that's about it. I may post some of those images/info later.

 

[pamster]

On January 26th, 2018 a deceased woman was found lying in a riverbed in a ravine off of Via Alicante and Gilman Drive in La Jolla, California. At the time of the discovery there was around 8-12 in of water in the riverbed.

She was described as a white female, 5’6 in tall, around 130-170 lbs and between the ages 30 and 55. A few identifying characteristics including a healing left femur fracture and the left leg amputated below the knee. Jane doe also had tattoos including a flower on the top of her right foot and palm trees and butterflies on the back of her right lower leg. Personal items found with the body were articles of clothing including a black t-shirt, jean shorts, a tan bra, one gray athletic shoe, a blue and white beaded necklace, a white and orange beaded necklace and an earring. Her estimated year of death is listed as between 2017 and 2018.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

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

www.namus.gov

View attachment 404398
Distinctive flower tattoo on foot

View attachment 404403
T-shirt found on the body

View attachment 404404
View attachment 404405
View attachment 404406
Jewelry found on the body

Connection with Native American culture? Four Corners Area? Or just a fashion choice?

I have found several Kokopelli pendants identical to hers on eBay and ShopGoodwill. In the attached screenshot, I combined 3 different photos, each from a different source, so you can compare. A half dozen or more exist online, and some of them have different bails (the part that attaches the pendant to the chain).

In the attached image, Jane Doe's pendant is shown in the center with the Medical Examiner's card to the right.

The top pendant sold on ShopGoodwill in Sept. 2025, and the bottom pendant is (at the time of this writing) selling on eBay.

I am not a jewelry expert. However, when I lived in the Four Corners area (where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet), many tourist towns and roadside stands would sell Native American or southwestern themed jewelry and trinkets. My guess is that this pendant design is one of those items, and may have been produced elsewhere, not by local artisans. A similar-style pendant is listed on eBay and is signed/engraved by MASHA, but the Jane Doe pendants do not seem to have any signature or other attribution. Jane Doe's pendant might even be a copycat of MASHA's. Again, I'm not a jewelry expert, so that's just my hunch.

I also am not an anthropologist or expert in other cultures, but due to my age and the places I've lived, I associate Kokopelli with that geographic area.

According to this article, "Today, [Kokopelli's] image has been used to sell everything from beer to t-shirts to outdoor gear, but some sources claim Kokopelli has appeared on pottery and cave walls since at least 750 C.E." Kokopelli and The Flute Player are Native American deities/spirits.

My initial thought was that this person might be connected somehow to the Four Corners region due to the pendant and the beaded necklaces. It would be nice if we could get a better/clearer picture of the chunky rectangular bead or clasp on those beaded necklaces. I haven't seen anything like that before, and Google Images can't quite make it out.

Below are a couple of links to eBay "Masha" designs. Note the difference in the deity's hair:

Navajo Masha 925 Sterling Kokopelli Figure Pendant on Silver Tone Chain Necklace | eBay

There is a bit of tarnish noted on the pendant. The pendant is signed Masha and 925, it is untested but does not stick to a magnet. The clasp on the chain is marked sterling and is untested, however it does stick to a magnet so is likely not sterling.

www.ebay.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

Pardon Our Interruption...

One seller describes her MASHA-signed pendant as "From my aging Mother's travels to the Southwestern U.S. in the 1970s" but it doesn't match the previous 3, and I can't see the signature: Kokopelli Masha Signed Large Sterling Charm Southwestern US Travel Vintage 1970s | eBay

Is this type of information useful? I don't know. Maybe it will lead to something useful. Fingers crossed.

 

[pamster]

Connection with Native American culture? Four Corners Area? Or just a fashion choice?

I have found several Kokopelli pendants identical to hers on eBay and ShopGoodwill. In the attached screenshot, I combined 3 different photos, each from a different source, so you can compare. A half dozen or more exist online, and some of them have different bails (the part that attaches the pendant to the chain).

In the attached image, Jane Doe's pendant is shown in the center with the Medical Examiner's card to the right.

The top pendant sold on ShopGoodwill in Sept. 2025, and the bottom pendant is (at the time of this writing) selling on eBay.

I am not a jewelry expert. However, when I lived in the Four Corners area (where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet), many tourist towns and roadside stands would sell Native American or southwestern themed jewelry and trinkets. My guess is that this pendant design is one of those items, and may have been produced elsewhere, not by local artisans. A similar-style pendant is listed on eBay and is signed/engraved by MASHA, but the Jane Doe pendants do not seem to have any signature or other attribution. Jane Doe's pendant might even be a copycat of MASHA's. Again, I'm not a jewelry expert, so that's just my hunch.

I also am not an anthropologist or expert in other cultures, but due to my age and the places I've lived, I associate Kokopelli with that geographic area.

According to this article, "Today, [Kokopelli's] image has been used to sell everything from beer to t-shirts to outdoor gear, but some sources claim Kokopelli has appeared on pottery and cave walls since at least 750 C.E." Kokopelli and The Flute Player are Native American deities/spirits.

My initial thought was that this person might be connected somehow to the Four Corners region due to the pendant and the beaded necklaces. It would be nice if we could get a better/clearer picture of the chunky rectangular bead or clasp on those beaded necklaces. I haven't seen anything like that before, and Google Images can't quite make it out.

Below are a couple of links to eBay "Masha" designs. Note the difference in the deity's hair:

Navajo Masha 925 Sterling Kokopelli Figure Pendant on Silver Tone Chain Necklace | eBay

There is a bit of tarnish noted on the pendant. The pendant is signed Masha and 925, it is untested but does not stick to a magnet. The clasp on the chain is marked sterling and is untested, however it does stick to a magnet so is likely not sterling.

www.ebay.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

Pardon Our Interruption...

One seller describes her MASHA-signed pendant as "From my aging Mother's travels to the Southwestern U.S. in the 1970s" but it doesn't match the previous 3, and I can't see the signature: Kokopelli Masha Signed Large Sterling Charm Southwestern US Travel Vintage 1970s | eBay

Is this type of information useful? I don't know. Maybe it will lead to something useful. Fingers crossed.

This is a big stretch due to the discrepancies between cases, but, if there is a connection to the SW, I want to point out that Brittany Gladden MP 61999 went missing June 12, 2017 out of New Mexico, and this Unidentified Jane Doe (53209) was found 1.5 years later on Jan 26, 2018.

The height, estimated weight, estimated age range matches. Unidentified Person 53209's eye color and hair color are unknown. Due to the state of decomposition, it's possible that a shoulder tattoo wasn't recognizable. Gladden isn't described as having any leg tattoos and also not described as an amputee. But, could she have lost a leg within that year and a half? The medical examiner might know, but I haven't got a clue.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

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

www.namus.gov

Time permitting, I will do more research on Brittany, and if my suggestion is completely ridiculous, I will remove or update this post.

 

[pamster]

Connection with Native American culture? Four Corners Area? Or just a fashion choice?

...

Below are a couple of links to eBay "Masha" designs. Note the difference in the deity's hair:

Navajo Masha 925 Sterling Kokopelli Figure Pendant on Silver Tone Chain Necklace | eBay

There is a bit of tarnish noted on the pendant. The pendant is signed Masha and 925, it is untested but does not stick to a magnet. The clasp on the chain is marked sterling and is untested, however it does stick to a magnet so is likely not sterling.

www.ebay.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

Pardon Our Interruption...

One seller describes her MASHA-signed pendant as "From my aging Mother's travels to the Southwestern U.S. in the 1970s" but it doesn't match the previous 3, and I can't see the signature: Kokopelli Masha Signed Large Sterling Charm Southwestern US Travel Vintage 1970s | eBay

Is this type of information useful? I don't know. Maybe it will lead to something useful. Fingers crossed.

A little more research:

"Masha" is an Albuquerque New Mexico jewelry maker that began in the 1970s.

The Masha Story

Our Company Welcome to Masha USA Nestled in the vibrant heart of Nob Hill, along the storied expanse of Route 66, Masha USA has been an esteemed sanctuary of artisanal craftsmanship since 1978. We warmly invite you to discover our collection of unique gold and silver jewelry, each piece a...

mashausa.com

I will send an email and ask for more info about Masha's design vs. the unsigned Kokopelli design found on Unidentified Jane Doe.

Excerpt from the website:
"Masha and Sabiha Quraishi are the visionary founders of Masha Inc., a cornerstone of artistry and tradition located in the heart of Nob Hill on historic Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Mashallah Quraishi, affectionately known as Masha, graduated from New Mexico State University and ventured into the southwestern jewelry scene in 1978. With a deep-seated passion for Tribal Indian Jewelry, Masha initially traded Native Indian handmade pieces crafted by the Navajo and Hopi tribes.

Alongside his brother, Masha traveled to Hopi, Santo Domingo, Zuni and Navajo reservations, sourcing unique crafts to sell at Albuquerque flea markets. ...

Masha’s journey evolved as he delved into jewelry manufacturing techniques, exploring new design possibilities. He eventually launched his own line of Southwestern jewelry, further cementing his status as a dedicated jeweler and designer. His innovative work includes the revival and standardization of many Mogollon Motifs, which continue to influence the industry.

... Today, Sabiha's leadership has steered Masha USA to become one of the fewest women-owned businesses in the industry that collaborates directly with Native American artists and craftspeople."

You can see Masha's Kokopelli design in the two attachments. A similarly designed set of earrings is being sold by Masha. The earrings are not stamped by Masha but the product description says, "all of our Jewelry is Authentic Artisan Handcrafted Sterling Silver. It is Designed, Manufactured, Finished, Polished and Assembled in the USA by Local Native American Artists". I've included a screen shot of that too.

Seems likely that these people would know who created Jane Doe's unsigned design since it's so similar to their own.

 

[pamster]

I also looked for this design, but haven't found any leads. I saw some old medical illustration books with similarly shaped (but much more detailed) looking drawings, but that's about it. I may post some of those images/info later.

Haven't found an exact match for the design on the t-shirt yet.

Could the t-shirt design be an X-RAY?

So far, the closest illustration I've seen is a 2023 medical illustration from Cleveland Clinic here. (Unidentified person was found prior to that date.) The illustrations don't match, but they share some notable similarities, such as the aspect/angle of view and the fact that they both show only 3 tarsals (the 3 cuneiforms) instead of 4 tarsals. The lateral tarsal (the cuboid) is either missing or barely visible. I attempted to overlay a semi-transparent Cleveland Clinic design on top of the t-shirt design using google docs. I also distorted the Cleveland Clinic design a little bit here and there to see if it could be stretched to fit, but it did not fit exactly. My attempt was pretty amateur. Maybe someone with more skill or better tools would have a different result.

I also notice on the t-shirt design that the 4 "smaller" toes are longer than the "big toe", and that the heel bone (calcaneus) is missing from the t-shirt illustration. Unsure if either of those points are relevant.

A few days ago, I found a different illustration and overlaid a transparent version of it on the t-shirt design using the same imprecise method, but now I forget when/where I found it. I may edit my post if/when I find the source. It also did not match.

 

[Bobban]

Looks like this tshirt: Nike Dri-Fit Sleep Less Run More T-Shirt XL Black Swoosh Training Jog Gym Run | eBay

 

[pamster]

Haven't found an exact match for the design on the t-shirt yet. So far, the closest illustration I've seen is a 2023 medical illustration from Cleveland Clinic here. (Unidentified person was found prior to that date.) The illustrations don't match, but they share some notable similarities, such as the aspect/angle of view and the fact that they both show only 3 tarsals (the 3 cuneiforms) instead of 4 tarsals. The lateral tarsal (the cuboid) is either missing or barely visible. I attempted to overlay a semi-transparent Cleveland Clinic design on top of the t-shirt design using google docs. I also distorted the Cleveland Clinic design a little bit here and there to see if it could be stretched to fit, but it did not fit exactly. My attempt was pretty amateur. Maybe someone with more skill or better tools would have a different result.

I also notice on the t-shirt design that the 4 "smaller" toes are longer than the "big toe", and that the heel bone (calcaneus) is missing from the t-shirt illustration. Unsure if either of those points are relevant.

A few days ago, I found a different illustration and overlaid a transparent version of it on the t-shirt design using the same imprecise method, but now I forget when/where I found it. I may edit my post if/when I find the source. It also did not match.

I wonder if the t-shirt design is supposed to be an XRAY (X-RAY).

Looks like this tshirt: Nike Dri-Fit Sleep Less Run More T-Shirt XL Black Swoosh Training Jog Gym Run | eBay

Well done! Thank you for posting.

 

[pamster]

Thats good information to know the time frame in which she could have been healing after the injury

If the decedent was an athlete, maybe she knew some of the people involved with the Challenged Athlete Foundation (CAF) or some of the other organizations/medical providers? There are annual Challenged Athlete events in San Diego/La Jolla, such as running and swimming clinics and competitions.

Enter keywords -- La Jolla challenged athletes 2017 -- in your favorite search engine and you'll get plenty of results. A few samples below.

She was found January 26, 2018

From Oct. 2017:

From Oct. 2017: Flickr has many albums from CAF

Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)

Explore Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)’s 57,206 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

2017 SDTC Ossur Run Clinic

Explore this photo album by Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com

From Oct. 2018 (She was found 9-10 months earlier in January 2018):

La Jolla Running Clinic Hosted for Challenged Athletes

The Challenged Athletes Foundation hosted a running clinic for those with physical challenges. NBC 7’s Ramon Galindo has more.

www.nbcsandiego.com

From 2016:

Get the vaccine, says meningitis survivor Kyla Winters

Strangers occasionally stop Kyla Winters on the street and thank her for her military service when they see she’s walking on two prosthetic legs. Sometimes, prayer circles surround her withou…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

From 2014:

Prosthetics wizard meets local amputees

ESCONDIDO — If the amputee community had a wizard, it would be Kevin Carroll, a world-renowned prosthetist who spent all day Tuesday at an Escondido clinic trying to grant his patie…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

From 2011:
Bob Gailey (who is mentioned in the 2016 article) name appears in this annual report for the Amputee Coalition.

From Nov. 2025:

‘Changing people’s lives’: Challenged Athletes Foundation events return to La Jolla, raising $3.5M

Athletes with physical disabilities participate in an array of activities, with funds raised helping to provide equipment, training and mentorship

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

 

[pamster]

RE: her beaded necklaces
Top 10 bead stores near La Jolla from Yelp.

 

[Bobban]

I thought that bigger square thing on the necklace was the locking mechanism but looking closer it is just a square bead that says 25 or 2.5 right?

 

[Oiseaux]

I thought that bigger square thing on the necklace was the locking mechanism but looking closer it is just a square bead that says 25 or 2.5 right?

On the blue necklace? I'm not seeing the numbers...