The Death of Gilroy Jane Doe, February 1980

Early in the evening of Saturday, February 9, 1980, trappers were "setting lines in the brushy growth" along the banks of the Pajaro River when they discovered a human skeleton on the north bank. The body was found near the confluence of the Pajaro and San Benito Rivers, just west — and/or "2000 yards southwest" — of the US Highway 101 crossing.

The trappers called authorities to report the body. Detectives from San Benito County were the first on the scene, which was along the county line; they soon, however, turned the case over to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, as it was in their jurisdiction, about four miles south of Gilroy, Santa Clara County, CA.

The remains were not recognizable, as they consisted of a complete or near-complete skeleton. They were determined to be that of a female. The body had been in the water and/or riverbed for at least a month, i.e., since at least early January 1980; an updated or more specific PMI is not available. Authorities believed that the remains may have washed downstream to the location where they were found due to heavy rains. An early newspaper article reported that there were no signs of foul play, and that some had speculated that, "the woman may have jumped or fallen into the river when it was swollen with rainwater."

Newspapers from the time of discovery reported that Jane Doe was believed to be a white woman in her 60s who was 5'6 and about 130 to 150 lbs. These estimates have since been revised: while a more specific age range is not provided, NamUs lists her age group as "Adult - Pre 30." According to the same source, Jane Doe was measured to be 5'0, while her weight could not be estimated due to the condition of her remains. Her race is also uncertain.

While Jane Doe's eye color is unknown, due to her remains being skeletal by the time of discovery, it is known that her hair was brown in color. No information is entered on NamUs regarding her clothing and accessories; contemporary newspapers indicated that her clothes had disintegrated.

Jane Doe reportedly had "very expensive dental work": she had a permanent upper front dental bridge with white gold. It is unknown if her dental records, as well as her DNA, are still available for comparison. Her fingerprints are seemingly unavailable, due to the condition of the remains. She does not have any MP exclusions on NamUs.

Jane Doe's NamUs case, #UP111041, was created on November 2, 2023. It was last updated on May 22, 2025.

Anyone with information regarding Jane Doe is urged to contact the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner at (408) 793-1900. The agency case number is C80-0344. Informants may also contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff at (408) 808-4400 or so.website@sheriff.sccgov.org, agency case number 80-2300. Any little piece of information counts.

Sources

NamUs

WebSleuths

Hollister Free Lance 2/11/80

The Californian 2/12/80