Mendocino Cold Case Heats Up: Bodies of Two Young Girls Found in 1979 Are Identified

Thirty-six and a half years ago, the bodies of two teenagers were found off Hwy 20. From that day in July 1979 until just recently, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has been struggling to identify them

Today, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office put on a press conference to reveal new developments in this, one of their most well-known, cold cases.  The two bodies, initially identified as a male and a female, are now known to be two teenage girls–Kerry Graham and Francine Trimble. The two were best friends and last seen December of 1978 in Forestville on their way to the Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa.

Capture

Left to right: Kerry Graham and Francine Trimble 

On July 8, 1979 two tourists stopped alongside Hwy 20. The man went for a walk and discovered the remains of the two teenagers. Law enforcement came to the area and recovered what were mostly bones at this time.

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Law enforcement in 1979 near the scene of where Kerry and Francine’s bodies were dumped.

A single bird earring belonged to Kerry Graham was found at the scene.

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Forensic work was done and for some reason the body of Francine Trimble was identified as that of a male. An artist rendered drawings of the two teenagers below with Francine drawn as a male.

Capture

Forensic artist’s face composite of Kerry Graham and Francine Trimble.

More recently, investigative work with DNA and other techniques revealed the identities of the two girls. However, the cause of their death has not yet been discovered. And law enforcement is asking for the public’s assistance. If you have any information about what happened to the two girls, the tip line is (707) 234-2100.

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clearlake fool
Guest
clearlake fool
8 years ago

i remember that case ,was working in ukiah at the time and happened just before i moved here to clearlake
parents need closure

tugboat
Guest
8 years ago

That is close to where the man, Richard Allan Davis, killed that young girl who gave birth to Megan’s Law, the time period fits , could be the same.

humbilly
Guest
humbilly
8 years ago
Reply to  tugboat

Agreed, Mendo should examine Davis file for any link to this heinous crime…only other would be the NYC creep Durst, too early for him?

Libby
Guest
Libby
8 years ago
Reply to  humbilly

Megan’s Law was named for Megan Kanka in New Jersey. A pedophile neighbor took her, assaulted her, and killed her.

Libby
Guest
Libby
8 years ago
Reply to  humbilly

Megans Law started in New Jersey after a pedophile neighbor of Megan Kanka abducted and killed her.

cassy collins
Guest
cassy collins
8 years ago
Reply to  humbilly

There are many more. Let’s keep throwing out the names. The right people may be reading this site. The right people may be of this generation and not know some of these historical names. Keep putting them out there.

nines
Guest
8 years ago
Reply to  tugboat

No. Richard Allen Davis was the one who abducted and killed Polly Klaas. Her body was dug up just off Hwy 101 on the south end of Cloverdale, and it gave rise to the Three Strikes law… and it was quite a bit later… though, still, could have been Davis earlier in his career, I guess… if he wasn’t in jail back then, that is.

clearlake fool
Guest
clearlake fool
8 years ago
Reply to  nines

that is correct nines
when they found polly i was working in sonoma county at that time and were rebuilding telephone lines and poles all around cloverdale new freeway bypass .

Stephanie Meegan
Guest
Stephanie Meegan
8 years ago
Reply to  tugboat

Megan Kanka was murdered in 1994 in New Jersey. Her parents advocated for the creation of a sex offenders’ registry … Megan’s Law became the informal name for the legislation initiatives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Megan_Kanka

Pat
Guest
Pat
8 years ago
Reply to  tugboat

Megan’s law was named after Megan Kanka, from Hamilton Township, NJ. That’s where she was killed, not in California.

Candigirl
Guest
Candigirl
8 years ago
Reply to  tugboat

I hope they listen to you. Any lead is good.

Jerrod W
Guest
Jerrod W
8 years ago
Reply to  tugboat

You’re wrong on all three counts, tugboat.

cassy collins
Guest
cassy collins
8 years ago
Reply to  tugboat

Richard Allen Davis-Polly Klaas

k Smith
Guest
k Smith
8 years ago
Reply to  tugboat

Megan’s Law was named for Megan Kanka. She was from Mercer Co NJ. A man named Jessie. Timmendaquas(maybe misspelled) Killed her.

Bob
Guest
Bob
8 years ago

What about Robert Durst as a suspect? This is similar to the missing persons case of Karen Mitchell in Eureka, Ca. http://www.charleyproject.org/images/m/mitchell_karen3.jpg

Liz
Guest
Liz
8 years ago
Reply to  Bob

The link only shows a photo of Karen.

Robert
Guest
Robert
8 years ago
Reply to  Liz
NikkiB
Guest
NikkiB
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Also..That Rodney Alcala was active during that time and so was The Original Nightstalker ( not speaking of Richard Ramirez). The Original Nightstalker has never been identified. Just a thought.

SmartyPantys
Guest
SmartyPantys
1 year ago
Reply to  NikkiB

Joseph DeAngelo is the “original night stalker/Goldenstate Killer” he was arrested in 2021

Christi
Guest
Christi
8 years ago

I was rhinking Ward Weaver Jr. On death row in claifornia

Crescent city
Guest
Crescent city
8 years ago
Reply to  Christi

Wayne Ford.

judi
Guest
judi
8 years ago

i’ve compared the artist rendered drawings of the two girls and the actual photo’s and i’m amazed by those drawings. that was some great forensic work.

i wonder how the loved ones of Kerry and Francine did not see familiarity, or why law enforcement did not see that the missing girls were Kerry and Francine.

so glad it’s all come together.
peace to the loved ones.

Liz
Guest
Liz
8 years ago
Reply to  judi

I, too, am impressed with the forensic drawings. I think the family was thrown off by believing one of them was a male. It wasn’t until DNA showed both were females. It is good news the families now have them to bring home.

triniboldticino
Guest
triniboldticino
8 years ago
Reply to  judi

Did you miss the part about the HUGE forensic error? (I know you didn’t, being facetious). Female skeletal features are different than male, and any “forensic scientist” will tell you they can tell the difference easily, ESPECIALLY when they’re on the witness stand. The forensics here completely blew it by hypothesizing a boy and girl ran away together (it appears). What does that tell you about forensic testimony in Court? Over 30 years to correct the error? How about convictions based on that kind of testimony?

cassy collins
Guest
cassy collins
8 years ago
Reply to  judi

Even back then, examination of pelvic bones etc. should have suggested female. Teletypes should have connected agencies enough to suggest a phone call be made from one to another. Lack of communication in this area has lead to successful careers for serial killers and rapists for years. California has definitely had its share of both. With the Earring and I imagine, clothing remnants, I don’t see why a connection was not made. I hate to Monday morning QB, but I just don’t see it.

gail scozzafava pierce
Guest
gail scozzafava pierce
7 years ago
Reply to  cassy collins

my thoughts, exactly, cassy collins…this story deserves monday morning quarter backing…communication was lacking, for sure…i personally knew francine’s mom, she was my cousin’s girlfriend and she died not knowing what had happened to her daughter…so sad and seemingly unnecessary

drdoogief
Guest
drdoogief
8 years ago

Davis was active during this timeframe. He was committing crimes in the early 1970’s.

greenghost
Guest
greenghost
8 years ago

Seven months after they disappeared, their bodies were found in the next county, and just now identified? Somebody dropped the ball.

The sketches came amazingly close to their images in photos. That advance and other new technology SHOULD help prevent such a sad, long wait from happening again. But what went wrong? Why would the Mendocino authorities not consider the girls who went missing 7 months earlier in the next county? Hopefully it was not just they were fixated on the bodies being a “boy” and a girl. You would think they would consider the girl to possibly be one of those from the next county. So sorry their families and friends had to wait so very long for this news.

lauracooskey
Guest
lauracooskey
8 years ago
Reply to  greenghost

I’m guessing it was indeed the fact that one was supposed to be a boy. One of the downfalls of that rigid identification people were so attached to… people were one and only one of two genders… i think folks just thought, A boy and a girl. NOT the girl and girl we’re looking for. Not even considered. Next!
With hindsight, of course, we wonder how the heck they could have been so blind.

cassy collins
Guest
cassy collins
8 years ago
Reply to  greenghost

Totally agree. This makes me mad.

Penelope
Guest
Penelope
8 years ago

I wonder if they showed a picture of the earring back then? I am sure her parents would have recognized it. Were their bodies found close to where they went missing? How awful to have been waiting so many years for any kind of answer.

moonbeam
Guest
moonbeam
8 years ago

What about this guy:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_Alcala
He photographed many girls that have gone missing. Here is a link to some of the photos. Timeline fits.
http://www.vice.com/read/the-haunting-photography-of-a-serial-killer
I hope there is closure for their loved ones. They have and will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Who
Guest
Who
8 years ago
Reply to  moonbeam

I’ve heard stories about the Hells Angels very active in Mendocino County during that period as well.

Michael
Guest
Michael
8 years ago
Reply to  Who

They still are. And WHEN have you ever heard of Hells Angels hurting or killing children. Ever?

Watson
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Watson
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael

Ditto.

Daryl
Guest
Daryl
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael

much more likely that the angels would protect a child then harm one. Believe me I know of one time that a pedo was messing with young boys an the police wee unable to make the case, They took care of it for good i have no idea whee thei final esting place is but i would bet the desert and done

Seamus
Guest
Seamus
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael

Hahaha, yeah the Angels are notoriously a bunch of do-gooding softies. Hero worship much there guys?

Chris
Guest
Chris
8 years ago
Reply to  Who

My mother was 11 when she ran off with the Hells Angels with a friend… was fun at first then turned ugly.. they locked both my mother and her friend in a small room taking their clothes so if they got loose they wouldn’t get very far… they got out and ran one night to the nearest home they could find… all over the papers in 1966…. in San Bernardino County, CA. Just because your patched doesn’t make Men good.. Times have changed and they do discipline their own, and we certainly would not of heard about that now would we.

Who
Guest
Who
8 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Very true not to mention the type of drugs they were doing then and now individual members could have gone crazy as sometimes they do.

Robert
Guest
Robert
8 years ago
Reply to  Who
NikkiB
Guest
NikkiB
7 years ago
Reply to  moonbeam

I totally agree. I seen that he was active at that time as was The Original Nightstalker (not Richard Ramirez.) Apparently, this one has never been caught and he committed a lot of rapes and murders in Northern California but it also stated he traveled to Southern California. So sad.

For Real
Guest
For Real
8 years ago

I’m baffled. The article says ” From that day in July 1979 until just recently, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has been struggling to identify them.” But they were from just over the county line in Sonoma! And the drawing looks very much like the photograph of the missing girl! And the earring was found with the body! What’s up? I’d like an explanation of why it took this very long time for identification. This boggles the mind.

jennifer
Guest
jennifer
8 years ago

Perhaps the parents had something to do with their disappearance…or maybe they were just in denial..

For Real
Guest
For Real
8 years ago
Reply to  jennifer

jennifer- ouch! No need to go get dark like that. I’d like to accept Kym’s response but I’m still blown away. They did have the telephone and paper and pens and files. And the mail to transmit information. I’d love a decent explanation from somebody in law enforcement. This seems like …well, major failure and/or incompetence. But perhaps there’s something I don’t know that could explain it. To let children’s bodies go unidentified for this long while a murderer possibly roams free? I would expect this kind of crime to be a priority for the sheriff! So I believe we are all due an explanation.

Pamela Firestone
Guest
Pamela Firestone
8 years ago
Reply to  For Real

Back in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s , Sheriff depts, State Police and local police did not share information with other counties or states. Back then no one ever thought that people would travel outside of their comfort zones to commit crimes. Only if family member mentioned it to other areas was it shared. It was just the way it was done.

NumberCruncher
Guest
NumberCruncher
8 years ago

Of course they did. It wasn’t as convenient as it is today, but they did. I have many sources of documentation via police departments that show this. Mine are primarily the 60’s, but I have some from the 40’s and 50’s as well. They actually used typewriters and the U.S. mail.

cassy collins
Guest
cassy collins
8 years ago

NCIC teletypes 1967. Even if civilians didn’t know, law enforcement knew. They at least knew SERIAL killers travelled. The sixties and seventies were rife with these murders. Hitchhikers and those walking along roadways were the easiest targets. I can’t agree with the excuses.

James Tibbetts
Guest
James Tibbetts
3 years ago
Reply to  cassy collins

The term serial killer wasn’t used until the 70’s hitchhiker murders Santa Rosa

Crescent city
Guest
Crescent city
8 years ago
Reply to  jennifer

Oh yeah, I’m sure two sets of parents got together and killed the kids. Are you kidding me? Jennifer

Askalice
Guest
Askalice
8 years ago

This is why we now have http://namus.gov/ which is the national missing persons database. Now we just need to require medical examiners and law enforcement to use it. It consists of 2 databases, actually 3 but the third is identified unclaimed bodies, the other two are unidentified persons and the other is for missing persons. Anyone can use it. Many cases are being solved because of it. Jurisdictional pettiness has caused much heartache and will eventually be stopped by proper reporting to the public.

River runs through it
Guest
River runs through it
8 years ago
Reply to  Askalice

I meant to mention this happened in Novato in Marin..

Donna Whitlock
Guest
Donna Whitlock
8 years ago

First off law enforcement didn’t have the capabilities then that they do now. It’s very very common from the 80’s and back, to have someone be missing and then in another town or county just over alone the bodies are found. People didn’t look for similarities like they do now, with all the media exposure. The sketches came very close even the male pic , the face is still very similar to hers. The easiest way to tell a male from a female are the bones in the pelvis, without those and no DNA testing the mistake could be made. Now we have DNA testing that’s right on the money. Even now though a lot of law enforcement don’t have NamUs, and that hinders the search . Every police , investigators, FBI should be on this site and apart of this sight

G-ma
Guest
G-ma
8 years ago

Robert Durst maybe,he just plead guilty to murdering his friend today,Richard Allen Possibly may never know for sure,so glad they found out who they are for the family’s .May you rest in peace

Who
Guest
Who
8 years ago
Reply to  G-ma

Robert is definitely a possible suspect he is in the news again today MSN has a story on him for a 2000 murder of his neighbor I don’t know if he owned a home in Trinidad then.

River runs through it
Guest
River runs through it
8 years ago

http://articles.latimes.com/1989-04-20/news/mn-2291_1_police-sergeant-groundskeeper-jennifer-moore

This is a link to an article about Jennifer Moore who was murdered in 89 in my town. I went to her memorial when I was 12. He was caught but he could have been doing this for years, so many girls went missing in that decade all around the same age. So sad. God bless

cassy collins
Guest
cassy collins
8 years ago

I HOPE law enforcement does EVERYTHING in their power now to try and make connections. With a little luck, it will be someone already in custody. Keep working it. Make use of todays sharing sites. Make the connections. Lets make up for lost time.

Cherry
Guest
8 years ago

That’s more than selnebsi! That’s a great post!

Sally
Guest
Sally
8 years ago

Robert Durst did not do this kind of serial killing. He wasn’t a sexual predator; he killed persons who annoyed or angered him. Two different kinds of pathology.

burblestein
Guest
4 years ago

Jackie Ray Hovarter is imprisoned for the murder of Danna Walsh in 1984. He kidnapped her in his semi, strangled her, and threw her away, much as Kerry and Francine had been discarded. Danna’s murder is almost a duplicate of that of Kerry and Francine. MCSO has been informed of this suspicion.

James
Guest
James
3 years ago

FBI stated 14 of the 37 unsolved murders 1972-1978 beginning with Maureen Sterling and Yvonne Weber both from Santa Rosa are all linked to the same serial killer or pair working together. Most of the girls were raped, strangled and found with one earring. Maureen and Yvonne were only 12 years old and classmates of mine. Beautiful girls always happy and smiling. Rest in Peace.