Jane Doe #5 was buried December 9, 1980.∼Kern Co Jane Doe is an unidentified female of uncertain race who was found on July 14, 1980 in an almond orchard in Kern County between McFarland and Bakersfield, California. Having been sexually assaulted and stabbed, the manner of her death is considered homicide. She had shoulder length brown hair, brown eyes, and was 5′ 4″ tall and weighed 115 lbs. She had tattoos professionally "inked". She may have been picked up at the now closed bar in Lemoore, CA called Ruby's, about 75 miles from where she was found.
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Shirley Ann Soosay was born and raised on the Samson Cree Nation reserve in Alberta, Canada. She had seven siblings and remained close to other family members, including her niece. At age 14, her father died, causing difficulties with the family's ability to maintain the ranch he owned. This triggered financial strain, and additional opportunities for work were scarce in the area. She later chose to leave the reservation in search of a job, intending to relocate to the nearby city of Edmonton.
She eventually came to reside in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she got married and gave birth to two boys. The troubled relationship with her husband failed; the children were placed in foster care. Soosay was unable to regain custody of her children and became homeless. The emotional toll triggered her to use drugs and alcohol.
Periodically, Soosay returned to the reservation to visit family members, who observed a change in her personality. She was last seen by relatives in 1977 for the funeral of her brother, where she expressed her desire not to return to Alberta when asked. After mentioning the possibility of visiting a friend in Seattle, Washington, her mother voiced concern that "no one would know" her daughter if she were to leave. It was suggested to Soosay that she should consider getting identifying tattoos, which she said could be possible in the future.
After her departure, she maintained contact with loved ones by sending letters, which ceased in 1980. Family members searched the Vancouver community for a decade, remaining hopeful that Soosay would be alive and well. Eventually, they resorted to visiting cemeteries, believing Soosay had died.
Soosay was found deceased in an almond orchard in McFarland, California, having been sexually assaulted and stabbed to death. A maintenance crew made the discovery; she was left in a fetal position while lying on her side.
She had died shortly before, having been recognizable enough for visual identification. She had not been disrobed, and liquor bottles were at the scene, which were collected for potential evidence.
Contributor: MCY12 (48884504)
View Memorial
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After 43 years, Shirley Ann Soosay was identified. Although she was originally buried in California as a Jane Doe, her family in Canada made arrangements to bring her back home to Samson Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada for her final rest at her family's resting place at Riverside Cemetery in 2022.
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Shirley Ann Soosay was born and raised on the Samson Cree Nation reserve in Alberta, Canada. She had seven siblings and remained close to other family members, including her niece. At age 14, her father died, causing difficulties with the family's ability to maintain the ranch he owned. This triggered financial strain, and additional opportunities for work were scarce in the area. She later chose to leave the reservation in search of a job, intending to relocate to the nearby city of Edmonton.
She eventually came to reside in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she got married and gave birth to two boys. The troubled relationship with her husband failed; the children were placed in foster care. Soosay was unable to regain custody of her children and became homeless. The emotional toll triggered her to use drugs and alcohol.
Periodically, Soosay returned to the reservation to visit family members, who observed a change in her personality. She was last seen by relatives in 1977 for the funeral of her brother, where she expressed her desire not to return to Alberta when asked. After mentioning the possibility of visiting a friend in Seattle, Washington, her mother voiced concern that "no one would know" her daughter if she were to leave. It was suggested to Soosay that she should consider getting identifying tattoos, which she said could be possible in the future.
After her departure, she maintained contact with loved ones by sending letters, which ceased in 1980. Family members searched the Vancouver community for a decade, remaining hopeful that Soosay would be alive and well. Eventually, they resorted to visiting cemeteries, believing Soosay had died.
Soosay was found deceased in an almond orchard in McFarland, California, having been sexually assaulted and stabbed to death. A maintenance crew made the discovery; she was left in a fetal position while lying on her side.
She had died shortly before, having been recognizable enough for visual identification. She had not been disrobed, and liquor bottles were at the scene, which were collected for potential evidence.
Contributor: MCY12 (48884504)
View Memorial
------------------------
After 43 years, Shirley Ann Soosay was identified. Although she was originally buried in California as a Jane Doe, her family in Canada made arrangements to bring her back home to Samson Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada for her final rest at her family's resting place at Riverside Cemetery in 2022.
Jane Doe #5 was buried December 9, 1980.∼Kern Co Jane Doe is an unidentified female of uncertain race who was found on July 14, 1980 in an almond orchard in Kern County between McFarland and Bakersfield, California. Having been sexually assaulted and stabbed, the manner of her death is considered homicide. She had shoulder length brown hair, brown eyes, and was 5′ 4″ tall and weighed 115 lbs. She had tattoos professionally "inked". She may have been picked up at the now closed bar in Lemoore, CA called Ruby's, about 75 miles from where she was found.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Shirley Ann Soosay was born and raised on the Samson Cree Nation reserve in Alberta, Canada. She had seven siblings and remained close to other family members, including her niece. At age 14, her father died, causing difficulties with the family's ability to maintain the ranch he owned. This triggered financial strain, and additional opportunities for work were scarce in the area. She later chose to leave the reservation in search of a job, intending to relocate to the nearby city of Edmonton.
She eventually came to reside in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she got married and gave birth to two boys. The troubled relationship with her husband failed; the children were placed in foster care. Soosay was unable to regain custody of her children and became homeless. The emotional toll triggered her to use drugs and alcohol.
Periodically, Soosay returned to the reservation to visit family members, who observed a change in her personality. She was last seen by relatives in 1977 for the funeral of her brother, where she expressed her desire not to return to Alberta when asked. After mentioning the possibility of visiting a friend in Seattle, Washington, her mother voiced concern that "no one would know" her daughter if she were to leave. It was suggested to Soosay that she should consider getting identifying tattoos, which she said could be possible in the future.
After her departure, she maintained contact with loved ones by sending letters, which ceased in 1980. Family members searched the Vancouver community for a decade, remaining hopeful that Soosay would be alive and well. Eventually, they resorted to visiting cemeteries, believing Soosay had died.
Soosay was found deceased in an almond orchard in McFarland, California, having been sexually assaulted and stabbed to death. A maintenance crew made the discovery; she was left in a fetal position while lying on her side.
She had died shortly before, having been recognizable enough for visual identification. She had not been disrobed, and liquor bottles were at the scene, which were collected for potential evidence.
Contributor: MCY12 (48884504)
View Memorial
------------------------
After 43 years, Shirley Ann Soosay was identified. Although she was originally buried in California as a Jane Doe, her family in Canada made arrangements to bring her back home to Samson Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada for her final rest at her family's resting place at Riverside Cemetery in 2022.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Shirley Ann Soosay was born and raised on the Samson Cree Nation reserve in Alberta, Canada. She had seven siblings and remained close to other family members, including her niece. At age 14, her father died, causing difficulties with the family's ability to maintain the ranch he owned. This triggered financial strain, and additional opportunities for work were scarce in the area. She later chose to leave the reservation in search of a job, intending to relocate to the nearby city of Edmonton.
She eventually came to reside in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she got married and gave birth to two boys. The troubled relationship with her husband failed; the children were placed in foster care. Soosay was unable to regain custody of her children and became homeless. The emotional toll triggered her to use drugs and alcohol.
Periodically, Soosay returned to the reservation to visit family members, who observed a change in her personality. She was last seen by relatives in 1977 for the funeral of her brother, where she expressed her desire not to return to Alberta when asked. After mentioning the possibility of visiting a friend in Seattle, Washington, her mother voiced concern that "no one would know" her daughter if she were to leave. It was suggested to Soosay that she should consider getting identifying tattoos, which she said could be possible in the future.
After her departure, she maintained contact with loved ones by sending letters, which ceased in 1980. Family members searched the Vancouver community for a decade, remaining hopeful that Soosay would be alive and well. Eventually, they resorted to visiting cemeteries, believing Soosay had died.
Soosay was found deceased in an almond orchard in McFarland, California, having been sexually assaulted and stabbed to death. A maintenance crew made the discovery; she was left in a fetal position while lying on her side.
She had died shortly before, having been recognizable enough for visual identification. She had not been disrobed, and liquor bottles were at the scene, which were collected for potential evidence.
Contributor: MCY12 (48884504)
View Memorial
------------------------
After 43 years, Shirley Ann Soosay was identified. Although she was originally buried in California as a Jane Doe, her family in Canada made arrangements to bring her back home to Samson Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada for her final rest at her family's resting place at Riverside Cemetery in 2022.
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