Investigators in Portland, Oregon are endeavoring to identify the final unknown victim of convicted serial killer Keith Jesperson, also known as the “Happy Face Killer.” Jesperson was arrested in 1995 after being linked to eight confirmed murders. Despite being incarcerated, Jesperson confessed to also killing an unidentified woman near Indio, California in 1992, whom he referred to as “Claudia.”
On the anniversary of Jesperson’s conviction, Riverside County investigators announced a renewed effort to identify the woman. They are hopeful that someone may remember something that could help reunite the victim with her family, who have been searching for her for over three decades. Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin expressed the goal of providing closure to the victim’s family, wherever they may be.
According to Jesperson, the unidentified woman had shaggy, wild blonde hair, was about 20 to 30 years old, roughly 5′6″ to 5′7,” and had a medium build of around 140 to 150 pounds. She was found wearing a t-shirt printed with a motorcycle and had a tattoo of two small dots on the left side of her right thumb. Forensic and DNA advancements have helped determine familial relatives, including the biological father, who has since passed away.
Investigators have discovered that the victim’s father hailed from Cameron County, Texas, but had traveled across the country, including Washington, Oregon, and California. While half-siblings have been identified, no living relatives are biological matches to the victim’s mother. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is asking for any tips to be reported to the Cold Case Hotline at (951) 955-5567, or by emailing coldcaseunit@rivcoda.org.
Jesperson is currently serving life in prison without parole at the Oregon State Penitentiary for his confirmed murders. The investigators and authorities are urging anyone with potential information to come forward, in the hopes of finally identifying the last victim and bringing closure to her family.