Cheri Jo Bates was 18 when she was murdered in Riverside, California, on October 30, 1966. She had been at the Riverside City College library that evening; her father reported her missing after she did not return home and her body was found the next morning in an alley near the library. Investigators say her Volkswagen Beetle had been tampered with so the ignition wouldn’t start, and she apparently tried to restart the car several times before encountering her attacker.

An autopsy recorded extreme violence: 42 stab wounds to the chest and face and a nearly severed throat. Hair and skin fragments thought to be from the assailant were found under her fingernails. Unidentified fingerprints and a broken watch were recovered at the scene. Anonymous letters claiming responsibility and hinting at future killings were later sent to newspapers and police, prompting some to speculate about a link to the Zodiac killings; Riverside police say they have a different suspect but lacked enough evidence to charge anyone. The case remains an active cold homicide; DNA testing has been applied but no arrest has been announced.

If anyone knew Cheri Jo, saw her that night, or has information about the letters, the car tampering, or the unidentified prints, please come forward.