A forensic artist working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has completed a facial reconstruction of a teenaged girl found last fall in Graham County, and investigators hope the images will identify their Jane Doe and her killer.
In October 2020, a hunter found the body of a young female partially submerged in a livestock float box near the community of Artesia, about 10 miles south of Safford. NCMEC recently released images of what Jane Doe may have looked like before she died, and included information about the clothing found with her.
The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner determined the manner of the girl’s death was homicide, but the Graham County Sheriff’s Office is withholding details as to the cause of death and when the girl is believed to have died due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Initial estimates put her age as 13 to 22 but she is now believed to have been 13 to 17. An autopsy also revealed the girl was Caucasian, had light brown hair cut short, and was about 5’ 1” tall.
The clothing with her included a black-gray hooded sweater with a skull design, as well as a black gown or robe. There were also items with the body which investigators have described as “toys.”
Seven months after the grisly discovery, sheriff’s investigators have not located a missing person report matching Jane Doe’s description. Her body was have been concealed and taken to the area in plastic garbage bags, then dumped not too far from a low-traffic road, possibly by someone who previously lived in the area or who spent time hunting or off-roading in the vicinity.
Graham County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about the victim’s possible identity to call 928-428-3141 or text GRAHAMTIP to 79516. Tipsters have the option of remaining anonymous by relaying any information to Crime Stoppers at 928-428-2746.