The Case Of "Valentine Sally"

Estimated Age: 16-23 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'4" to 5'6"
Weight: 120-130 lbs.
Hair Color: Blonde, straight and about 9.5 inches in length.
Eye Color: Blue
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Rough, well-healed scars on the top of the left foot. A 2-inch diagonal scar on the back of her right thigh. Three moles above her right breast and 1 mole on her upper left leg. Left ear or possibly both ears pierced (right ear missing due to animal activity). She had recently undergone preparation for a root canal.
Dentals: Available. Tooth #19 (lower molar) had been drilled in preparation for a root canal approximately one week prior to her death. Teeth # 1, 16, 17 and 32 not erupted.
Fingerprints: Not available.

DNA: mtDNA and nucDNA available.

The Case of "Valentine Sally"

The face-down body of a white female, aged seventeen to twenty-four was discovered under a tree in Williams, Coconino County, Arizona, on February 14, 1982.

Death had occurred on or around February 1. Because the remains were located on Valentine's Day, the victim was nicknamed "Valentine Sally." The victim was approximately five feet five inches tall and weighed 120 pounds and had strawberry blond hair, which was straight and around ten inches long, and blue eyes. The victim, who was killed by either suffocation or strangulation, wore Seasons brand jeans with a handkerchief and an earring in her left ear. It is unknown if her right was pierced, as the right ear was not recovered. A distinct white sweater with thin red stripes and a bra were found near the remains, which may have belonged to the victim.

It is possible that the victim was seen at a truck stop in Ash Fork, Arizona in early February of the same year. Valentine Sally appeared to have an incomplete root canal on one of her molars, which may have caused an infection that she suffered from. Distinct marks on the body were a scar on her right thigh and on her left foot. In 1984, the girl was misidentified as a runaway, who was later located alive in 1986. Because of decomposition and scavenging animals, her fingerprints could not be obtained, although her DNA and dental charts were.

Clothing: Red and white horizontal striped pullover sweater, designer Seasons blue jeans (size 9), and a bra (size 36C).
Jewelry: Unknown

Additional Personal Items: White handkerchief.

Investigating Agency(s)

If you have any information about this case please contact;
Agency Name: Cococino County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: Detective Chuck Jones
Agency Phone Number: 928-226-5033
Agency Name: Cococino County Medical Examiner's Office
Agency Contact Person: Amy Kelly
Agency Phone Number: 928-679-8775
Agency Case Number: 
LE: 82-11000;
ME: 82-022;
NCMEC: 1184503
NCIC Case Number: U214162293
NamUs Case Number: UP #9864