A Long-Solved Cold Case: Facebook Group Helps Identify 1983 Homicide Victim
Unsolved No More: The Power of Social Media
A long-unsolved cold case has been cracked wide open, thanks to the unexpected power of social media. A Facebook group dedicated to identifying missing persons helped identify the skeletal remains of a woman whose body was discovered in 1983 in what is now Lake Forest, California.
A Life of Mystery: The Story of Maritza Glean Grimmett
The victim, initially known only as “Jane Doe,” has now been confirmed as Maritza Glean Grimmett, a Panamanian woman who was last seen by her family in the late 1970s. Her remains were found in a culvert in Lake Forest, Orange County, in April 1983, but her identity remained a mystery for over 40 years.
A Breakthrough: DNA Testing Confirms Identity
In a remarkable turn of events, a Florida woman reached out to investigators in late 2023, suspecting that the remains belonged to her mother. DNA testing conducted by authorities in March 2024 confirmed her identity.
New Leads and New Hopes
The breakthrough has opened new doors in the investigation, with detectives now turning their focus to two persons of interest: Maritza’s ex-husband, Howard Grimmett, and his current wife, Isabel “Terry” Cruz-Grimmett. The investigation into Maritza’s homicide has gained new momentum, but many questions remain. In particular, investigators are eager to learn more about how Maritza arrived in California and what happened in the years leading up to her death.
A Call to Action: Former Military Personnel and the Public
Former military service members who were stationed at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in the early 1980s are being asked to come forward if they have any information that could help. Investigators are also calling on the public for any additional information that might help solve the case. Those with tips are encouraged to contact the cold case homicide team at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Conclusion
The identification of Maritza Glean Grimmett has reinvigorated hopes of solving her homicide and bringing justice to her family. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, hoping to finally bring closure to this decades-old case.
FAQs
* Who is Maritza Glean Grimmett? Maritza Glean Grimmett is the victim of a 1983 homicide whose remains were discovered in Lake Forest, California.
* Who is believed to be responsible for her murder? Investigators are currently focusing on two persons of interest: Maritza’s ex-husband, Howard Grimmett, and his current wife, Isabel “Terry” Cruz-Grimmett.
* How did Maritza arrive in California? The exact circumstances of Maritza’s arrival in California are still unknown, and investigators are eager to learn more about her life in the years leading up to her death.
* Who can I contact with information about the case? The cold case homicide team at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is accepting tips and information about the case.
