Melinda L. Mercer was 24 when her body was found in a vacant lot among blackberry bushes in Tacoma, Washington, on December 7, 1997. She had last been seen the night before leaving a tavern in Seattle and had been struggling with a heroin addiction; she had recently turned to prostitution and planned to work on Aurora Avenue the night she disappeared.

The autopsy reported that Melinda had been shot three times in the back of the head with a .25 caliber firearm. Her head was found encased in four plastic grocery bags; investigators noted she had chewed through the inner two bags, indicating she was still alive when they were placed over her and that oxygen deprivation hastened her death. Her blouse had bloodstains consistent with being clothed and upright when shot. Some clothing had been thrown over the body, and her green purse and several rings were missing.

Authorities later identified a suspect who was under scrutiny for a string of other killings; that investigation linked Melinda’s death to a pattern involving shooting victims and leaving plastic bags over their heads. If anyone knew Melinda, saw her on December 6 or 7, 1997, or has information about her movements or belongings that night, please come forward.