Unidentified Girl - late teens (1995) - New Mexico

From the America's Most Wanted website (story aired Saturday July 17th 2010)

In a secluded part of the New Mexico desert, she was abandoned in a
shallow grave. It seemed that whoever chose the final resting spot for
the small-framed child had hoped she would be forgotten -- and indeed
she was. Over time, the sun, rain and wind diminished her body to
nothing more than a frail set of bones. That was until Bill Peters came
along -- one of the Southwest's most relentless cold case detectives.
"I don't care how old the case is. If you've got a dead body out
there, somebody ought to still care about it," said Peters, who works
for the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Squad.
Peters hopes that with America's Most Wanted help, he can find the
young murder victim's identity and then perhaps nab the girl's killer.
After all, Peters is no stranger to America's Most Wanted. In 2008, an
AMW tipster helped Peters solve one of his toughest cases by assisting
in identifying a Jane Doe and in turn, enabling the detective to hunt
down the woman's alleged killer.
While Peters realizes he may not get as lucky with this case, he says it's worth a shot.
"This little girl belonged to somebody. I guess for now, she belongs to me," he said.
"I don't care how old the case is. If you've got a dead body out there,
somebody ought to still care about it."

Archer Uncovers Murdered Girls' Remains


View Larger
Investigators found a small locket with the remains.


The cold case goes all the way back to 1995 when an archer who was doing target practice lost
one of his arrows. He went searching for his it but found something
else: a human skeleton. Investigators at the crime scene tried to
identify the remains but couldn't. Cops say the skull was missing, which
made identification especially difficult. They did, however, find eight
tiny teeth and a cameo locket.
But after few leads came in on the case, the trail went cold. And
that's how it landed on Bill Peter's desk. He's best known for warming
up even the coldest of cases.
With the help of some friends and experts, the great detective
managed to round up a few more clues.

Experts Weigh-In To Provide Clues
First, Peters asked for help from forensic anthropologist Wendy Potter, who works with the New Mexico
Office of the Medical Investigator. Potter determined that the girl was
likely no more than 17 years old when she died. The examiner also noted
that the girl had cut marks on her spine and ribs, indicating that she
was likely stabbed to death. Another important clue is that while still
alive, the girl likely suffered a fracture to her lower left leg --
based on a small bump found on her bone.
Peter's also turned to his longtime friend in crime-fighting, Dr.
Peter Loomis, also with the office of the medical investigator. Loomis
is a forensic odontologist and has helped solve many crimes by studying
the dental work of murder victims. In this case, Peter learned several
things by studying the girl's teeth as well as part of the girls' lower
jaw, which was actually discovered a few years before the rest of her skeleton.
Loomis confirmed that the girl was likely in her teens when she died.
He also noted that she had several fillings. The fact that she had
dental work done is a tremendous clue because, as Loomis explains,
fillings are as unique as fingerprints. Not only that, but it means the
girl saw a dentist at one point and therefore, her name must be on a
file in a doctor's office somewhere.
Finally, Peters gathered up another clue with the help of Albuquerque
jeweler Ron Beauchamp. At the crime scene, investigators uncovered a
small cameo locket. Beauchamp assessed the locket and made the following
conclusions: The piece of jewelry is not expensive and was likely
purchased at a five-and-dime type shop. He also believes the cameo would
have been worn around the girl's neck, as opposed to a bracelet.
Unfortunately, he did not find any photographs or initials inside the locket.
Now Peters is turning to AMW viewers in hopes that they might help
him solve this sad murder mystery. He says he knows someone out there
holds the key to this case, and he'd like nothing more than to give this
little girl a name, and then, give her justice.

Unknown "Bones" Killer

Detective Needs Your Help To ID Girl's Bones

In a secluded part of the New Mexico desert, she was abandoned in a shallow grave. It seemed that whomever chose the final resting spot for the small-framed child had hoped she would be forgotten. And for awhile, she was. What the girl's killer didn't plan for was the fact that one day, the case would land on the desk of one of the Southwest's best cold case investigators -- Bill Peters.

Other Possible Locations:
Colorado
Arizona
, TX
Albuquerque , NM

Last updated July 12, 2010

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=73578

Scroll down for photos of bones and locket.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=73578