Investigators in Riverside County, California have made significant progress in identifying the last unknown victim of the notorious “Happy Face” serial killer. The victim, known only as “Claudia,” was linked to the serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, who confessed to murdering at least eight women in several states. The case of Claudia is one of the most intriguing cold cases in the region, with investigators making a breakthrough by establishing contact with her living relatives through DNA testing.
The victim, known as “Claudia,” met Jesperson in Victorville, California, and was last seen alive in Southern California in August 1992. After an argument at a rest stop, she was murdered and her body was found in the city of Blythe in eastern Riverside County. Despite efforts to identify her, her true identity remains unknown.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office released an updated sketch and description of Claudia, hoping to obtain new tips that could lead to her identification. The victim was believed to be in her 20s or 30s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed around 140–150 pounds. She had shaggy blonde hair, which she may have dyed brown, and a distinctive tattoo of two small dots on the left side of her right thumb.
Jesperson, also known as the “Happy Face” killer, is currently serving four life sentences without the possibility of parole in an Oregon prison. The case gained notoriety as he sent letters to the media detailing his crimes, all of which were committed across state lines as he worked as a long-haul trucker.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office continues to seek information and has encouraged anyone with information about “Claudia” to come forward to help bring closure to her family. Those with information can contact the Cold Case Hotline at (951) 955-5567 or email [email protected].
The unidentified victim’s case remains a haunting reminder of the “Happy Face” killer’s heinous crimes and the enduring efforts of law enforcement to solve cold cases and bring justice to the victims and their families.