Thursday, July 17, 2025

The Backpack of Barstow

WARNING: This post details content relating to mutilation and murder. Viewer discretion advised!

(P.S. This post contains a picture of the victim's teeth.)

If it wasn't obvious from my previous true crime posts, my favorite cases include unidentified decadents. The last cases I discussed thankfully had their identity discovered, but this one remains unsolved. 

Today we will talk about the disturbing case of Barstow Jane Doe (2010).

Latest recon for Barstow Jane Doe by NCMEC

Beheaded in a Backpack?!

On February 10th, 2010, a man was looking for cans along Lenwood Road, Barstow, California. While he was doing so, he came across a black backpack, which appeared to have white plastic bags in it.

Upon further examination, he discovered something gruesome-...the severed head of a female.

Backpack where victim was found

He alerted authorities, who confirmed the head's presence. It was wrapped in two plastic bags- one from Walgreens, the other from Fiesta Foods. Not much evidence was found at the crime scene. It appeared to have been there for a few days.

Now, unfortunately, with only a head to work with, we can't determine how she died- strangulation, drowning, stabbing- completely unknown. It wasn't even proven she died via murder. Of course though, considering a decapitated head was found disposed in a backpack, I think it's fair to say her death was definitely homicide.

Aside from being beheaded, the victim of the face was in very poor condition, as it had been brutally mutilated in a presumable attempt to avoid identification. It isn't known how bad this maiming is, but law enforcement said that reconstructions of the victim may not even be that reliable because her face was "destroyed". She may have fallen victim to a serial killer.

Original NCMEC reconstructions

A few things were still available; for one thing, the victim appeared to be a teenager around the ages of 14 to 19, which is absolutely horrific to think about. She was only high school aged and yet such a destructive thing happened to her.

The victim also appeared to be of White and Hispanic ancestry. Other characteristics included her hair, which was dark brown, wavy, and may have had light red highlights. She had brown eyes and pierced ears. Lastly, her dentals proved she had various treatments and fillings.
Dentals

Current Case Status

Barstow Jane Doe has been unidentified for 15 years, and as of 2025, she has 39 rule-outs, but I have a feeling in the near future she may be identified via genetic genealogy.

In 2021, the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office announced they were working with genetic genealogist Barbara Rae-Venter in order to identify Barstow Jane Doe. Barbara is well-known for assisting in the identifications of offenders like Joseph James DeAngelo.

Barbara Rae-Venter

Recent DNA testing has confirmed she has distant relatives in Mexico. If these relatives could be located, it could cause a break in the case. With a case developing like this, I can only hope for the best.

What happened to this girl is horrible. How cruel can you be to actively decapitate and maim a teenage girl, chuck her in a backpack, and move on with your life? Her killer is likely out there, somewhere... 

I hope one day soon this victim of such a horrendous case can get her name back. Somewhere out there knows who she is. If you have any possible leads on the identity of Barstow Jane Doe or her killer, please contact authorities.

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING


- ninesevenpotatoes, 2025

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The Backpack of Barstow

WARNING: This post details content relating to mutilation and murder. Viewer discretion advised! (P.S. This post contains a picture of the v...