1969 Jane Doe No. 59 Murder Victim Identified After 46 Years NR16140rh

September 8, 2016

Update on 1969 Jane Doe No. 59

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide detectives continue to seek information regarding the 1969 murder investigation of Reet Jurvetson, also known as Jane Doe #59. Detectives have obtained further leads in the case and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two persons of interest.

On July 7, 2016, detectives interviewed a witness in Montreal, Canada regarding the person of interest named “John” or “Jean (possibly French Canadian).” The witness remembers meeting Reet Jurvetson and “John/ Jean” in Montreal, Canada, and provided a sketch of “John/Jean” as he appeared in 1969. An additional sketch of an associate was provided, which may help any potential witnesses recall seeing them together. The second male, who was shorter in stature and sported a short “Beatles” type hairstyle. The associate has not been positively identified, but could be named “Jean” as well

On August 20, 2016, detectives received information that Reet Jurvetson’s sister, Anne Jurvetson, discovered a postcard written by Reet to their parents, who are now deceased. The postcard was dated October 31, 1969, approximately sixteen days before Reet’s body was discovered on Mulholland Drive. The postcard had Reet’s return address as 5311 Melrose Avenue, Apt 306, Hollywood, California 90038. The building was once called the Paramount Hotel. However, it was demolished in 1989 and a new building has since been erected since then.

The family translated the postcard, which was written in the Estonian language, as follows:

Dear Mother and Father,

The weather is nice and the people are kind. I have a nice little apartment. I go frequently to the beach. Please write to me.

Hugs,

Reet

This is the last known communication written by Reet Jurvetson to her family.

The family also updated the April 2016 website address here

The investigation is on-going and anyone with information is urged to contact Robbery Homicide Division, Cold Case Unit, Detectives Luis Rivera and Veronica Conrado at (213) 486-6810. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit ww.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Los Angeles: On November 16, 1969, the unidentified victim’s body, Jane Doe No. 59, was discovered in the brush off of Mulholland Drive near Bowmont Drive. She had been stabbed numerous times in the upper torso and neck area. At the time, LAPD detectives attempted to identify her utilizing department resources and prepared a bulletin having negative results.

In December 2003, a detective from the Robbery Homicide Division, Cold Case Homicide Unit (RHD/CCHU) submitted a piece of biological evidence which was uploaded into the NamUs. NamUs is the national database for all unidentified missing and deceased victims. Jane Doe No. 59 remained unidentified.

In June 2015, a friend of the family living in Canada was looking through the NamUs website. She viewed a photograph of Jane Doe No. 59 who closely resembled the missing family member, Reet Jurvetson.

Reet Jurvetson had lost contact with her family shortly after arriving in California in 1969. The friend notified the family, who contacted NamUs. As a result of this inquiry, the CCHU was contacted and reopened the investigation. During the investigation a DNA test was compared to Jurvetson family members and it was revealed Jane Doe No. 59 was identified as Reet S. Jurvetson.

During the course of the investigation, CCHU detectives felt it was necessary to investigate any potential connection to any other crimes during that time period. Due to the location and the time period where Reet Jurvetson was found, and the violent manner of her death, investigators wanted to rule out any possible connection to the notorious “Manson Murders” that occurred during the summer of 1969. Investigators made arrangements to interview Charles Manson to see if he was able to provide any further details or information related to the death of Miss Jurvetson. Their encounter with Manson did not produce anything fruitful and the investigation remains open and ongoing.

Detectives are seeking information from the public in identifying a person of interest named “John” or French name “Jean.” Jean was a friend of Reet Jurvetson who she met in Montreal, Canada and also traveled and lived in the United States in 1969.

The Jurvetson family has prepared a statement (click on link).

The investigation is on-going anyone with information is urged to contact Robbery Homicide Division, Cold Case Unit, Detectives Luis Rivera and Veronica Conrado at 213-486-6818. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.