Authorities seek public's help in OC's oldest 'Jane Doe' cold case

(FOX 11) - The Orange County Cold Case Homicide Task Force is asking for the public's help in identifying the body of a woman found on a roadside nearly half a century ago.

The woman was found in Huntington Beach in March of 1968.

"When her body was found and discovered she had been beaten severely. Her throat had been cut. She was violently sexually assaulted, " said Huntington Beach Police Chief Rob Handy.

Investigators believe she was a white or Hispanic woman, approximately 20 to 30 years old. Although there was DNA evidence from the suspect found at the scene, authorities never found a match.

They are also looking closely at the victim's ring and her clothing for more clues.

"We believe some of that clothing was available in NYC at the time," said Handy. "Back in 1968, there wasn't the Internet. You couldn't purchase things like that and there wasn't a lot of movement of these types of products across states."

Detectives are also releasing autopsy photos in the hopes that someone may recognize her. Investigators have three working theories, including a stranger abduction or that she may have known somebody who was her assailant and that she may have known them or accepted a ride.

They are also looking into the possibility that she may have been a migrant worker.

Detectives say although her friends and relatives would now be in their 70's or 80's, they aren't giving up hope.

"The case is 48 years old but we still believe there is a chance that someone can give us a piece of info, that we can identify her," Handy added.

Jane Doe is the oldest cold case in the data base of about 1,000 unsolved homicides in the OC.

Anyone with information about this case can call the task force at (866) 673-2574. More information about the case can be found here (warning: graphic images).

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