Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders  - Overview

 

Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders

 

Overview

The purpose of this website is to present, through vintage, digitally

restored newspaper articles and documents, the accurate details of these crimes.

Between 1972 and 1973 Santa Rosa, California experienced the killings of seven young

women whose murders have never been solved.  An eighth probable victim disappeared and

her body has never been located.  All of the victims were known to hitchhike, a popular

mode of transportation during that time.  These murders became known as the

 

Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders

 

The so called Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders have been linked to

other crimes that occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s where the facts

have been distorted to meet the criteria of the particular murderer thought

to have committed them, most notably the Zodiac Killer and Ted Bundy.

 

These murders remain unsolved.

 

It is my desire to give these women the respect they deserve by presenting,

as accurately as possible, the circumstances of their deaths.

 

I welcome you to email any comments or additional information to me,

Deborah Silva

 

______________________________________

 

SCSO Victims Report

 

Area Map

 

July 7, 2011 SF Chronicle Article

 

July 29, 2011 Press Democrat Article 1

 

July 29, 2011 Press Democrat Article 2

 
 
Yvonne Weber

The first victims, Yvonne Weber and Maureen Sterling, were last seen on

Maureen Sterling

Yvonne Weber

February 4, 1972 getting into a vehicle in front of the Redwood Empire Ice Arena

Maureen Sterling

where one of their mother's had dropped them off for an evening of ice skating.

Their remains were not found for over 10 months.

Updated 7/9/11

   

__________

______________________________________

__________

 
Kim Allen

Kim Allen was last seen March 4, 1972 hitchhiking from her job in Larkspur in Marin

Kim Allen

 

County to her home in Santa Rosa.  Her body was found the next day in a remote

Updated 5/31/11

section of southeast Santa Rosa.

__________

______________________________________

__________

 

Jeanette Kamahele

Jeannette Kamahele was last seen April 25, 1972 in Cotati, where she lived with a

Jeannette Kamahele

roommate, hitchhiking north on Hwy. 101 to classes at Santa Rosa Junior College.

 

She has never been found.

 

__________

______________________________________

__________

 
Lori Lee Kursa

Lori Lee Kursa had been known to hitchhike by her family and friends.  She was

Lori Lee Kursa

 

an habitual runaway.  Her body was found on December 14, 1972.

 

Less is known about her last days than the others.

__________

______________________________________

__________

 

Carolyn Davis

Carolyn Davis was a runaway from Anderson in Shasta County.  She was last seen

Carolyn Davis

on July 15, 1973 hitchhiking south on Hwy. 101 from Garberville, where her grandmother

 

lived.  Carolyn's body was found in the same spot where the first two victims were found.

 

__________

______________________________________

__________

 
Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh was last seen Dec. 22, 1973 by friends in Zuma Beach, in southern

Therese Walsh

 

California, hitchhiking north on Hwy. 101 to Miranda, CA where her parents lived with her

 

young son.  Her body was found in Mark West Creek in Santa Rosa.

__________

______________________________________

__________

 
Jane Doe

On July 2, 1979 the skeletal remains of a Jane Doe were found near the spot where Lori

Jane Doe

Kursa was found 6½ years earlier.  Jane Doe was estimated to have been there for five to

 

seven years.  Jane Doe was originally determined not to have been the missing Jeanette

 

Kamahele. But as of October 2009 DNA testing was being done to make sure.

 

______________________________________

 

Suspects

 

Links

 

Site last updated August 4, 2011.

 

Copyright © 2009 - 2012 Deborah Silva and SantaRosaHitchhikerMurders.com

 

Website Designed and Maintained by H. James Nelson - 9-EdgeTM Web Design