RIVERSIDE COUNTY, California – Investigators are making progress towards identifying the last unknown victim of the “Happy Face” serial killer. The victim, known only as “Claudia,” was murdered by Keith Hunter Jesperson, who confessed to killing at least eight women in multiple states. “Claudia” was picked up by Jesperson in Victorville, California, and was later found dumped on the side of the road in Blythe, California in August 1992.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s office has not been able to find any biological matches to “Claudia’s” living relatives through DNA. They have issued an updated sketch and description of the victim in hopes of receiving additional tips that could help identify her and provide closure to her family.
“Claudia” was likely in her 20s or 30s, around 5-feet, 6-inches to 5-feet, 7-inches tall, and weighed approximately 140–150 pounds. She had blonde hair, possibly dyed brown, and was described as a medium build. She was a frequent hitchhiker who often smoked cigarettes and was found wearing a shirt with a motorcycle print. She also had a tattoo of two small dots on her thumb.
Jesperson, now in his late 60s, is already serving four life sentences without the possibility of parole in an Oregon prison. He became known as the “Happy Face” killer for sending letters to the media detailing his crimes, with a smiley-face signature at the bottom of each note.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office has released a video on YouTube appealing for information about “Claudia.” They have asked anyone with information to call the Cold Case Hotline at (951) 955-5567 or email coldcaseunit@rivcoda.org. This effort is part of a series of ongoing attempts to identify the victims of the “Happy Face” serial killer.