Chapter Twenty-Five
Detective Contreras pouredcoffee in the mug his seven-year-old had painted for him the previous Christmas, then grabbed a glazed donut and sat down at his desk. The report from the forensic anthropologist on the Jane and John Doe found in Mesa County laid on top. After taking a swig of coffee and a bite of his donut, he opened the report.
First Skull:Female, Caucasian, slight stature, age from twenty-five to thirty-three years old. No soft tissue present on bones. Bones found indicate animal scavengers chewed on some of them. Other bones discovered were rib bones. Fractures to bones of the face and ribs show they were in various stages of healing, which may suggest a history of violence in the domestic setting. The immature molars and premolars were intact. Incisors and canines were absent but located in the soil underneath the remains. From the shape of the teeth, absence of fillings, and possibility of braces, it is presumed that Jane Doe might have worn braces, thus suggesting she came from a family of some means.
Skull showed bone breakage patterns without any sign of healing, which indicates that the injury occurred at or near the time of death. Since the bone was still fresh when the trauma occurred, the fracture edges were sharp and clean. The blunt force skull injury to fresh bone left identifying marks of the weapon used to inflict the trauma—a blunt, oval-shaped club.
Taking into account the surrounding environment, the climate, and the existence of insects and feeding animals, the determination is that the victim has been there for twelve years.
Due to the injury, the determination is that foul play caused the death.
Second Skull:Male, Caucasian, medium build, age around thirty to forty years old. Hand and feet bones indicate animal scavengers chewed on them. Premolars were intact; however, the rest of the teeth are missing and have not been located.
Skull shows two holes, one in the back of the head and one in the left temple, without any sign of healing, which indicates that the injury occurred at or near the time of death. Since the bone was still fresh when the trauma occurred, the fracture edges are sharp and clean. The holes indicate that a firearm caused the injury.
Taking into account the surrounding environment, the climate, and the existence of insects and feeding animals, the determination is that the person has been there for twelve years.
Due to the injury, the determination is that foul play caused the death.
Contreras read the report a couple more times and then placed the information he gleaned from it in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons Systems to see if any hits came up. Several images appeared and he shook his head, surprised that so many people were listed as missing.
“What you got there?” Detective Onofrio asked.
“Just reading the report that came in on the Jane and John Doe in Mesa County. I’ll send a copy to Wexler. Haven’t found anything in the database so far. I think we should put it in the papers and television in the area. There was that locket that was found buried in the dirt. Probably fell off the female after decomposition set in. Maybe someone will recognize it.”
“Sounds like a good idea. If they’re not in the national database maybe they weren’t reported as missing.”
“That’s what I’m thinking. Anyway, I’ll get a picture of the locket from forensics. You never know.”
“How long did forensics say the two victims have been in their shallow graves?”
Contreras laced his fingers behind his head. “About twelve years, give or take a year.”
Onofrio whistled under his breath. “Damn. There’s definitely people missing them.”
“Yeah. Jane Doe was someone’s daughter or sister or mother, and John Doe was someone’s son, brother, or father. Their families deserve to know what happened to their loved ones. They’ve been wondering after all these years. I hope we can identify them.” Contreras knew that in some cases an identity was never made. He hoped that wasn’t going to be the case with the recently discovered victims.
“You going to Mirabella’s dance recital?” Onofrio said.
“Yep. I have to cut out of here in a couple hours. I’m going to send this off to Wexler, then check the database another time. Then I have to interview the old lady who says she saw something suspicious in the parking lot when Rachel Dunleavy was murdered. I’m still betting it’s her ex-husband who did her in. Some people just can’t let go.” Contreras sighed and went over to the copy machine, placing the forensic anthropologist’s report in the feeder. As he watched the papers move, he wished they could solve this case and finally let these two victims have the peace and closure they deserved.
