39 Years Later, A Killer Confesses But Big Mystery Remains

In her pink pantsuit, black boots and shorty fake fur coat, the young woman was dressed for 1974, when homicide detectives say she was found murdered on the sands of Long Beach. All these years later, her alleged killer has been found, but not her name.

Long Beach Police Department asked Tuesday for help in identifying the long-haired brown-eyed brunette, who was raped and strangled and left on Alamitos Beach on May 28, 1974. Detectives were unable to locate any missing persons report fitting her description: 5-feet-2, 135 pounds, in her teens or early 20s, wearing a solitaire diamond ring. She had a vivid scar atop her left hand (see the photo).

It was through old-school detective work that homicide investigators solved the murder case; such cold cases are often resolved via technology and DNA, and that was how the cold case investigators, funded by a grant, originally found the case. But there wasn't enough evidence for DNA screening, thus to justify cold case detectives to continue under the grant, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

But investigators were bothered by the young woman, possibly still a teen, going unidentified for decades, with no apparent report of her going missing.

Richard Nixon was President when the woman became Jane Doe #40, her official ID to this day. Long Beach PD decided to press on with it.

"Homicide Detectives Todd Johnson and Malcolm Evans’ investigation led to the identification and interview of a possible suspect/witness residing in Texas," the department wrote in its announcement. "This subject admitted to homicide detectives that he assisted the main suspect in the murder of Jane Doe #40 by helping to dispose of her body on Alamitos Beach."

That man was not named. More possible leads "led homicide detectives to a 61-year old male, living in California.  The suspect confessed to killing Jane Doe #40 after raping and strangling her, then disposing of her body on the beach," the department stated.

Neither suspect knew the victim's name for sure, police said, but thought it might be Anna. Detectives believe Stamp and the accessory met the young woman in a downtown Long Beach bar or outside on the street. 

Information regarding the identity of Jane Doe #40 can be given to Homicide Detectives Todd Johnson or Malcolm Evans at (562) 570-7244. You can offer information on other unsolved murders by calling the LBPD Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244. "Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may call Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit LACrimeStoppers.org." For information about the National Institute of Justice, visit Nij.gov.