Featured Cases

On August 27, 1978, a pair of hunters discovered a skeleton in the woods near Elgin, Oregon. The remains belonged to a female estimated to be 17–25 years old, with sandy brown or blonde hair, approximately

5’1”–5’3” tall, weighing around 115–125 lbs, and possibly pregnant. She was found on a hillside across the creek that runs parallel to Ruckle Road.

Items recovered with the remains included:

• White halter or bra-style top

• Red Catalina pants (size 15/16) with possible length alteration

• Ankle-high lace-up shoes or boots

• Remnants of red and white cloth, including white cloths with small red hearts, and zippers

• Pieces of nylon cord

• A knotted length of what appeared to be radio antenna cable, about three feet long, documented by Criminalist John Spilker as two lengths tied together
   

The grave measured approximately 4 feet long, 20 inches wide, and 29 inches deep. Evidence suggests an animal may have disturbed the grave, uncovering the skull and several bones subsequently found by the hunters.
 

Unfortunately, the case’s physical evidence was largely destroyed when it was closed in June 1990, including the Jane Doe and possible fetal remains, which were cremated. The Finley Creek Jane Doe Task Force has since located some unidentified cremains at the coroner’s office in the county where they were cremated. Efforts are ongoing to have these remains processed by experts to attempt DNA extraction for identification.
 

Available Records:

• Written dental descriptions and handwritten dental charts (no x-rays)

• Oblique photos of the skull and teeth for comparison purposes
   

Current Rule-Outs Include:

• Melanie Flynn – Fayette, KY

• Laura Flink – Grays Harbor, WA

• Rita Jolly – Clackamas, OR

• Laurie Partridge – Spokane, WA

• Teresa Fittin – Broward, FL

• Suzanne Hagedorn – Brighton, CO

• Sherry Jean Pickle – Borrego Springs, CA

• Desiree Haas, AKA Jenkins – Placerville, CA

• Robyn Ann Pettinato – Whitefish, MT

• Jamie Rochelle Grissim – Vancouver, WA

• Benita Gay Chamberlin – Eugene, OR

• Patricia Otto – Lewiston, ID
   

Although Patricia Otto is officially listed as ruled out, discrepancies exist in the dental comparisons with Finley Creek Jane Doe, leaving the possibility unresolved.
 

In 2021, Suzanne Timms, daughter of Patricia Otto, came across a sketch of the Finley Creek Jane Doe on social media and believed it resembled her mother. Her research led her to suspect that her mother, Patricia Otto, may in fact be the Finley Creek Jane Doe. Unfortunately, the body is no longer available, as most of the remains were cremated, with some parts including hands, an arm, and a pelvic bone which were never recovered.
 

If you have any information regarding the Finley Creek Jane Doe, please contact the Finley Creek Jane Doe Task Force at 541-805-2274.
 

For more information about the Finley Creek Jane Doe, click here.