For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. |
A local was out walking their dog that Monday just north of Skull Valley when they stumbled upon the washed-away grave of a woman, only her bones and clothing remained. Somewhere there is a family that has spent the last 11-16 years wondering where their loved one has been all this time. After a week of attempting to identify this Jane, investigators called in a forensic anthropologist in hopes of learning more about her. Even with that new information, sadly, 10 years have gone by with no solid leads. All that we have to go by is a very general age estimate, a sketch, and limited other details. |
What We Know
White female
23-71 years old
5' 3"
Weight, hair & eye color unknown
Estimated range of death: 2004-2008
Cause of death: not released/unknown
Wearing only nightclothes
23-71 years old
5' 3"
Weight, hair & eye color unknown
Estimated range of death: 2004-2008
Cause of death: not released/unknown
Wearing only nightclothes
So who is Yavapai Jane?
I can't say that I know who she is with utmost certainty because I'm still waiting for DNA comparison, but I do have someone in mind that seems like a pretty good possible match. Again, nothing is confirmed, but investigators have been made aware of the suggestion and agree that there's enough similarity to warrant a comparison of Yavapai Jane and the missing woman.
Allow me to introduce you to June Goodman. A resident of Snowflake, AZ, mail carrier, widow, and beloved matriarch of her large family (including 18 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren!). She was 4 months away from retirement after 20 years spent with the U.S. Postal Service, and everyone knew how much she was looking forward to it. On March 28, 2003, Mrs. Goodman had dinner with her sister, Pat, then went to the market and returned home later that evening, going about her nightly routine. Her ranch-style home sat at the end of a winding gravel driveway; a driveway that she traveled every day in her comings and goings. But on this cool, clear night, someone would drive down that road, toward Mrs. Goodman's home, writing the first chapter of this true crime mystery. |
Some time that evening, she was sitting in her recliner in the living room, watching television and unwinding after a busy workday. Something outside caught her attention, though investigators aren't sure what. She got up to investigate, turning on the outside lights and opening the sliding glass door slightly. What happened next was only the beginning of a long, frustrating case that haunts the small community of Snowflake even after 16 years. Commander Dunagan of the Navajo County Sheriff's Department was quoted as saying that Mrs. Goodman's case was the most frustrating case in his entire 34 years in law enforcement. He also said, "When Mrs. Goodman walked out that back door, it was like she disappeared into thin air".
And disappear she certainly did. She stepped out through the sliding glass door and never made it back inside the home. She was plucked from her rural Snowflake home and left authorities, family, and friends baffled. 16 years later, we are no closer to understanding what became of June that night or who may have been responsible for her disappearance. There was only one man who could have been considered an "enemy", as he was quite angry at her over postal service rules, and many have said that he threatened her life. Another suspicious person in her life was a TV repairman who had worked for Mrs. Goodman about a month before, returning it a week or so later, still not working properly. She told her sister that she was really uncomfortable and nervous around the repairman.
So, this leads me to the possible connection between Mrs. June Goodman and Yavapai Jane. Snowflake and Skull Valley are about a 4 hour drive apart by a long stretch of highway. Mrs. Goodman was reported to be 5' 3", 130lbs, with green eyes and brown hair. She could have been relaxing, watching TV in her nightclothes when she spotted a car coming down her driveway. Not recognizing the vehicle, she flipped on the outside lights and watched as the car parked near her house. As the stranger exited the vehicle and approached her door, she stepped out through the sliding glass doors. "Can I help you?" she might have asked. Unfortunately, this person was not coming to her for help, but for a much more sinister purpose. Mrs. Goodman vanished that night, her belongings and home wholly untouched, breaking the hearts of all who knew her. 5 years later, her family held a memorial service and had her declared legally dead.
If my theory is correct and Yavapai Jane is June Goodman, she likely died very soon after she was abducted, her body being taken to Skull Valley and buried, her killer believing that she would remain under the ground forever and the mystery would go unsolved. But nothing stays buried forever; not secrets, nor treasure, nor bodies. All will eventually be brought to light and made known to all.
And disappear she certainly did. She stepped out through the sliding glass door and never made it back inside the home. She was plucked from her rural Snowflake home and left authorities, family, and friends baffled. 16 years later, we are no closer to understanding what became of June that night or who may have been responsible for her disappearance. There was only one man who could have been considered an "enemy", as he was quite angry at her over postal service rules, and many have said that he threatened her life. Another suspicious person in her life was a TV repairman who had worked for Mrs. Goodman about a month before, returning it a week or so later, still not working properly. She told her sister that she was really uncomfortable and nervous around the repairman.
So, this leads me to the possible connection between Mrs. June Goodman and Yavapai Jane. Snowflake and Skull Valley are about a 4 hour drive apart by a long stretch of highway. Mrs. Goodman was reported to be 5' 3", 130lbs, with green eyes and brown hair. She could have been relaxing, watching TV in her nightclothes when she spotted a car coming down her driveway. Not recognizing the vehicle, she flipped on the outside lights and watched as the car parked near her house. As the stranger exited the vehicle and approached her door, she stepped out through the sliding glass doors. "Can I help you?" she might have asked. Unfortunately, this person was not coming to her for help, but for a much more sinister purpose. Mrs. Goodman vanished that night, her belongings and home wholly untouched, breaking the hearts of all who knew her. 5 years later, her family held a memorial service and had her declared legally dead.
If my theory is correct and Yavapai Jane is June Goodman, she likely died very soon after she was abducted, her body being taken to Skull Valley and buried, her killer believing that she would remain under the ground forever and the mystery would go unsolved. But nothing stays buried forever; not secrets, nor treasure, nor bodies. All will eventually be brought to light and made known to all.
Yavapai Jane has a DNA sample in the system for comparison, but Navajo County has not put a DNA sample for June (collected from her family) into the system as of now. Investigators at Yavapai County have notified Navajo County case contacts about the possible match. Now we wait somewhat patiently for what feels like ages.
Emily
True crime, cold case, long-term missing/unidentified, and all things mystery. I've always been interested, but now I'm involved in the search.
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Photos used under Creative Commons from Jinx!, Damian Gadal