Murder of Sharon Lee Gallegos
Not to be confused with the Murder of Karen Price
Little Miss Nobody was the name given posthumously to an unknown American child murder victim whose body was found in Congress, Yavapai County, Arizona on July 31, 1960.[1][2]
Discovery and investigation
The body of a Caucasian female child between the ages of 5 and 7 was found in Sand Wash Creek Bed on Old Alamo Road, partially buried, on July 31, 1960.[3] A family reported the find, stating the remains were located while they were "searching for rocks." [1] The forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy reported that she had been deceased 1-2 weeks and had a full set of baby teeth.[2] The girl's body was in an advanced state of decomposition and was unrecognizable for visual identification.[1] However, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System states the body was "recognizable."[3]
The victim's toes and fingernails had been painted a "bright red" color; her brown hair had been dyed a reddish brown color.[3] The autopsy did not reveal any traces of previous bone breaks or fractures. Near the body, a pocket knife was found. The female was approximately three feet six inches to four feet five inches tall and weighed fifty to sixty pounds upon her death.[1][3]
Yavapai County sheriff's deputies along with the media and private citizens worked to discover her identity. County Sheriff Cramer and other law enforcement traveled hundreds of miles by air and by land following leads. Suspects in other crimes involving small children were questioned. The sheriff's office received dozens of letters, telephone calls and telegrams asking information on the little girl. On August 8, 1961, the sheriff led a party of law enforcement officers and a camera crew to film the location where the child was found. Later in the afternoon, the sheriff and Yavapai County attorney George Ireland brought out evidence found that included adult sized rubber "flip-flops" which had been cut down to fit the child.[1] The film was shown on local television in the hope that someone recognized what he called "fragmentary mementos of crime" to provide a clues that would lead to solving the case. Cramer stated, "Somewhere there is someone who has the answer that we have been looking for; maybe this will be the thing that will bring that person forward".[2]
Burial
A campaign for funds to provide an appropriate burial was spearheaded by radio announcer Dave Palladin, of Prescott radio station KYCA. Palladin, who referred to the unknown child as "Little Miss Nobody", said he "couldn't stand to see the little girl buried in a 'Boot Hill'", also known as a paupers grave. As a result of his efforts, the child's circumstances were embraced by locals who paid for and attended her funeral. A card on her child-size casket bore the inscription "God's little child, date of birth unknown, date of death unknown".[2]
A local florist, the cemetery's caretakers, and a local mortuary provided services associated with the burial. The funeral was held on August 10, 1960 with Dr. Charles Franklin Parker of Prescott's Congregational Church conducting the rites. During the eulogy, Dr. Parker told the attendees, "Somewhere, someone is watching to learn what happened to a little girl left on the desert. If there has been a misdeed, probably a disquieted conscience will go on and on." The funeral was attended by over 70 mourners.[2]
External links
Template:Unidentified decedent
References
- ^ a b c d e "Case File: 1202UFAZ". doenetwork.org. The Doe Network. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Shake, Ken (November 4, 1960). "Clue To Little 'Miss Nobody Still' Sought". Prescott Evening Courier.
- ^ a b c d "NamUs UP # 10741". identifyus.org. National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2015.