Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) - After 41 Years “Jane Arroyo Grande Doe” Has Been Identified.
The City of Henderson Police Department’s Investigative Division has identified the victim of their 1980 cold case homicide as 17-year-old Tammy Terrell.
On October 5th, 1980, at approximately 9:00p.m., Tammy’s body was located by a passing motorist in the desert area near Arroyo Grande Boulevard and Lake Mead Parkway, on land that is now occupied by the 215 Southern Beltway.
Since the incident, Tammy had only been known as “Jane Arroyo Grande Doe”, as all attempts to identify her to this point had been unsuccessful. The Clark County Coroner’s Office had ruled her death a homicide.
On November 10, 2021, the City of Henderson Police Department’s Investigative Division received a positive identification confirmation, through the use of investigative genetic genealogy.
Investigative genetic genealogy is the use of DNA testing to determine relationships between individuals and identify possible relatives of the unidentified victim. Detectives then contact these potential relatives in an attempt to identify family members that have gone missing.
Tammy was last seen at a restaurant in Roswell, New Mexico on the evening of September 28th, 1980, with an unidentified white male adult and white female adult; possibly planning to leave New Mexico for an unknown destination in California.
The investigation into Terrell’s death remains open, and police are asking anyone with information in this case is urged to call the Henderson Police Department at 702-267-4750, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or visit Crime Stoppers website. Tips directly leading to a felony arrest, or an indictment processed through Crime Stoppers may result in a cash reward.