Missing Juanita Jean Nelson Juanita, approximately 1998 Date reported missing : 12/14/1998 Missing location (approx) : Boulder Creek, California Missing classification : Endangered Missing Gender : Female Ethnicity : White DOB : 06/27/1981 (40) Age at the time of disappearance: 17 years old Height / Weight : 5'3 - 5'4, 120 pounds Description, clothing, jewerly and more : A white quilted jacket, green pants and a navel ring. Medical conditions : Juanita was pregnant at the time she disappeared. Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos : Caucasian female. Light brown hair, brown eyes. Juanita has a tattoo of a flower on the inside of her left ankle. Her navel and one of her nipples are pierced. Her nicknames are Nina, Nita and Lamb. Juanita is left-handed. Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Juanita was last seen in the 14800 block of west Park Avenue in Boulder Creek, California on December 14, 1998. She was walking to school at the time. She never arrived there and has never been heard from again. Police originally believed she had left of her own accord, but now they suspect foul play was involved in her disappearance. Informants have told authorities that Juanita was murdered, and police think they have identified her killer. The individual, who has never been publicly named, is a former friend of Juanita's who is now in prison for an unrelated crime. He reportedly confessed the murder to two of his friends. Police searched in the Santa Cruz Mountains off Bear Creek road for Juanita's body, but could not find it, and without it they do not have enough evidence to make a case against the suspect. However, they have issued a death certificate, and a memorial service for Juanita was held in March 2003. Juanita was a senior at San Lorenzo Valley High School at the time she disappeared. She enjoys reading. She played baseball and took tap and ballet lessons in December 1998, and has also acted in several plays. Juanita is described as a very social person with many friends. Her case remains unsolved. Other information and links : ncy Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department 831-454-2242 September 2021 updates and sources The Santa Cruz Sentinel California Attorney General's Office Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Facebook pageheader for Juanita Nelson Updated 5 times since October 12, 2004. January 31, 2019; picture added. |