[UPDATE] Ode to Doe: Angel McAllister Identified as "Yuma County Jane Doe"

Update: This Jane Doe has been identified as Angel McAllister. Her sister Chastity was contacted on May 25, 2017, with news of her sister who had been killed over 17 years earlier. The eldest of four girls, Angel had been her sister's role model, "the glue that held [the group] together" until the girls were sent to different foster homes in their teens. Angel had been staying at a home in Southern California until she turned 18. She immediately left in search of her sisters, but her life would end only 2 months later. It is still unclear what Angel was doing in Arizona since it is in the opposite direction of Oregon, where her sisters were staying. Blood tests conducted on Chastity, her younger sister Celestetina, and their mother, confirmed beyond a doubt who 'Angel Baby Doe" really was. Despite her positive identification, she still rests in a grave site simply marked 'Jane Doe'. Additionally, since her family has no ties to Arizona, Chastity has to travel nearly 1000 miles each way to visit her sister's final resting place. She has asked to have her sister moved back to Oregon, but detectives have advised against it. Chastity hoped to at least say proper goodbyes, unfortunately, her low income makes it difficult to plan a proper memorial. She set up a GoFundMe which raised almost $200. Enough "for the candle lighting cost" according to Chastity. However, this case is still NOT SOLVED. Angel McAllister's killer is still on the loose, yet to receive justice. For more information, please read on below.

Angel McAllister (far right) and her younger sisters as children. Credit: Find a Grave | Nadeline Sprague

Left: A grave stone placed for Jane Doe. | Right: A photo of Angel. Credit: Donna Lyle Alumbaugh | Valerie Young | Find a Grave

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A composite image of Jane Doe distributed by NCMEC. Credit: The Doe Network

Original: October 9, 1999, in Yuma, Arizona, was an abnormally warm day with a cloudless sky. However, at approximately three in the afternoon, the body of a white female was found lying along the bank of the Colorado River, lying lifeless in the ninety-degree weather, only hours after she had been fatally shot. The cause of death of the woman was immediately apparent. The young woman estimated to be between fifteen and twenty-two years old had been shot in the face, killing her instantly and leaving her unrecognizable. It was determined that her killer had used a shotgun, killing her and leaving the body at the scene of the crime. Her brown 17-inch long hair -which reached her waist- with subtle red highlights was worn in two long, thick braids.

Artist's depiction of Jane Doe's possible appearance. Credit: The Doe Network

The young woman, who according to some evidence, may be originally from Mexico was approximately 5'5" at the time of her death and 106 lbs. The victim had fillings, all of which consisted of silver amalgam, and her two front right teeth (9 and 10) overlap. A 4-inch surgical scar was found on her right side, already well healed. It was determined that the victim's appendix had not been removed. Medical examiners speculate that the scar may be the result of surgery to extract her right ovary, as it was the only thing missing from the body. As well a mole was spotted on the victim's back. Possibly the most unique, Jane Doe also had a tattoo near the outside of her her right ankle. The first word "Angel" had been completely finished while the second word "Baby" was lighter, only stenciled. Police speculate that the tattoo does not look professionally done and may have been "homemade", so to speak.

Evidence photos including jewelery from the scene and a tattoo found on the victims ankle. Credit: The Doe Network

The victim was discovered wearing a white shirt, a pullover shirt with two butterflies in the left-hand corner, green sweatpants, and black lace-up shoes. She also wore two stud earrings in each ear and a black cloth band around her upper left arm. Two necklace pendants were found on her body. One appears to be worn copper or similar metal reading "Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Pray For Us," whereas the other is blue and gold with a half-moon design. Fingerprints and DNA have been taken and are available, however, have yet to bring in any leads. She currently resides in Yuma Pioneer Cemetery, her headstone still nameless. Any person with tips or information that could help identify this decade-old Jane Doe, or find her killer, please contact the Yuma County Sheriff's Office at  928-329-2379 and reference case number 99-16967. Or as always, call 1-800-THE-LOST to help put a name to a girl who has gone nameless for so long.

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