Rachel Cruise, 32, of Pittsburg, California, was found strangled in a ditch off California Avenue on December 15, 1998. She had last been seen on the evening of December 13. Her death occurred during a period when several other women were found murdered in the area, raising fears a serial killer might be operating in Pittsburg.

Rachel was known to associate with sex workers and had a history of drug use, details investigators noted while probing possible links between the cases. Police interviewed witnesses and analyzed crime scenes but did not announce any arrests or a definitive suspect. Investigators later said the murders may not all be connected and continued to treat each death as a separate investigation.

Anyone with information about Rachel, her movements in December 1998, or the wider string of Pittsburg killings is asked to come forward.