Riverside, California – Investigators have made progress in identifying the last victim of notorious serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, known as the “Happy Face” killer. The woman, tentatively referred to as “Claudia,” was killed in a heated argument with Jesperson at a rest stop in Southern California, and her body was found in the city of Blythe, Riverside County, in August 1992.
Relatives of the victim have been tracked down through DNA, but no biological match has been found. The Riverside County District Attorney’s office is urging anyone with information to come forward to help identify the woman and provide closure to her family.
“Claudia” was described as a frequent hitchhiker and was likely between 20 and 30 years old. She had medium build and shaggy blonde hair that she may have dyed brown. She was found wearing a shirt with a picture of a motorcycle and had a tattoo of two small dots on the left side of her right thumb.
Jesperson, now in his late 60s, is 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.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is hopeful that new tips will lead to the identification of “Claudia.” Anyone with information is asked to call the Cold Case Hotline at (951) 955-5567 or email coldcaseunit@rivcoda.org.