The greater Houston metro area envelops nine counties and is home to more than 7 million people, making it the 5th most populated metro area in the country. On top of that, Interstate-10 runs through the heart of Houston, making it a hub for travelers and commuters alike. Local law enforcement agencies deal with their fair share of both violent and non-violent crimes each year, but there are some calls that stay with responding officers. I don't doubt that there are some in law enforcement who still think about this case. I'd like to introduce you to a Jane from my area who was found almost 9 years ago. The name "Jane Doe" is purposefully generic and serves its purpose, but there are many Janes who have been given nicknames. Until we know who she was in life, many of us have chosen to call her Smurfette.
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012, was a typical day for most Houston-area residents. To us, it might have been a cool day with temperatures in the mid-60s to mid-70s, but our typical high humidity pushed hopes of fall weather aside. Commuters buzzed along highways as the workday ticked by. At some point in the day, an anonymous tip about a "foul smelling bag" led law enforcement to a field in North Houston. About 20-25 feet off of Walters Road, responding officers spotted the garbage bag that the anonymous caller had reported. The odor crept through the heavy air, indelible and foreboding.
For about a month, the garbage bags had waited to be discovered, hidden from view by weeds and brush. Some sources say that the field was being cleared of brush around that time, which may have resulted in someone finally spotting the bags. While finding the bags was undeniably important, understanding how they got there is paramount. Before something can be found, it must be lost or concealed. These bags would tell the story of a girl who was both lost and concealed, disposed of like household detritus.
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She was just a child, left to the elements, alone and hidden in plain sight.
What We KnowShe was found October 16, 2012
Location: 12500 block of Walters Rd in Houston, TX Thought to have died 3-6 weeks prior Likely 15-17 years old Between 4'7 - 5'3 She had a small build Long, wavy brown/dark brown hair Pronounced overbite, fillings in 3 molars in the past, but more recent significant decay of the teeth. She was born with 22 ribs (instead of 24), had growth arrest lines on her femurs, and an asymmetry in her skull that may have been apparent in her face. Wore a teal Smurfs shirt with an illustration of Smurfette flowers, and the saying "He Smurfs Me...He Smurfs Me Not" (size unknown), size 5 UnionBay tan cargo pants, a black bra (34C) and pink thong underwear. Dental records and DNA are available for comparison. Her remains were found inside two black garbage bags: one covering her lower half, the other covering her top half, with the two meeting in the middle. |
Several details about Smurfette can't be confirmed at this time, but there is reasonable evidence to suggest the details. Among those details are:
She was possibly of mixed ancestry (suggested African American and Caucasian) Stable Isotope Analysis suggests that she may have grown up or spent a reasonable amount of time in/around South Texas (San Antonio or Austin) The significant findings in her skeleton suggest that she may have experienced malnutrition or illness as a child, or may have suffered an illness or syndrome that caused the skeletal anomalies. |
Want to learn more about this Jane?
There are about 250 missing girls/women who have been ruled out as possible matches. With DNA available in the system, as well as dental imaging, we know so many people that Smurfette is not, but we're still searching for who she truly is. |