Dorothy Mae Harrison, (March 16, 1968 - c. September 10, 1984) was a teenage girl found deceased in New Mexico in 1985. She was identified through DNA testing on August 8, 2022.
Case[]
Disappearance[]
Dorothy was last seen about 5 p.m on July 25, 1984 when she left her home in Wichita, Kansas. A sibling saw her get into a vehicle that was described as a big, tan, long car. Dorothy was picked up by a white female and a black female, both older than her.
Dorothy's family reported her missing shortly thereafter. They said that she would frequently leave and be gone weeks on end during the summer. Law enforcement officers would find Dorothy and bring her home, but she would always leave again. The family also said that Dorothy would always stay in Kansas.
Sometime in the beginning of August 1984, Dorothy called her family saying that she was in Los Angeles. During this time, the 1984 Olympic Games were taking place between July 6 - August 12, 1984. In late August or early September 1984, Dorothy called them again saying that she was in El Paso, Texas and that she was on her way home. It was the last time anyone heard from her.
Authorities believe Dorothy was killed between September 10, 1984 and January 10, 1985.
Discovery[]
The young woman's remains were found, on a road leading to Hatch, New Mexico by hunters, and were scattered underneath pieces of black plastic. The area where she was found was stated to be frequented by both "ranchers and hunters." Thirty-three women were ruled out as possible identities.
She was identified in 2022 as Dorothy Harrison of Wichita, Kansas. She had traveled to Los Angeles in the summer of 1984 and was last known to be in El Paso, Texas.
Characteristics[]
- Light brown hair.
- Green eyes (detail revealed when Dorothy was identified)
- Lopsided, uneven nostrils (detail revealed during identification)
- Small scar on the bow of her mouth (detail revealed during identification)
- She had painted at least two of her fingernails pink.
- Her weight is unknown but she likely had a slim build.
- She may have suffered an injury to the right side of her nose, which appeared to have healed.
Clothing[]
- Pink undergarments.
- A sweatshirt or a white sports jersey with 3/4 length sleeves and a large "W" ('Wilson' sporting goods brand).
Gallery[]
Sources[]
- KFOX TV
- Dorothy Harrison at the Doe Network
- KWCH
- Fox 4