Featured Cases

Patricia Lee Otto was  last seen in Lewiston, Idaho on August 31, 1976. That night, around 11:00 pm, Patricia picked up her daughters from their grandparent’s house and headed back home.

Then, according to her husband, Ralph Otto, Patty “walked out,” taking nothing with her and leaving behind her car and her two little girls. But her daughter Suzanne recalls something very different: she remembers her father hitting her mother, then lifting her up with his hands around her neck before carrying her out of sight. That was the last time Suzanne ever saw her mom.
 

Patty was reported missing the next day by her sister, after Ralph dropped the children off at her home, claiming he was going to search for Patty.
 

Two years later, on August 27, 1978, hikers discovered skeletal remains near Finley Creek in Union County, Oregon. The unidentified woman, known as the Finley Creek Jane Doe, was wearing red polyester pants and a white blouse which was similar to what Patty had last been seen wearing. Despite these details, the case was labeled a homicide and closed in 1990 when investigators could not confirm cause of death or establish her identity. Tragically, the remains were then cremated and the clothing destroyed.
 

Years later, Suzanne came across a forensic sketch of Finley Creek Jane Doe created by Redgrave Research Forensic Services and was struck by the resemblance to her mother. Since then, she has worked with multiple agencies to pursue answers and finally determine if this Jane Doe could indeed be her mother.
 

If you have any information, please contact the Lewiston Police Department at 208-746-0171.