The unexpected power of social media has opened up a long, resolved cold cases. A Facebook group dedicated to identifying missing people helped identify skeletal remains of a woman whose bodies were found in 1983 in Lake Forest, California.
The victim, initially known only as “Jane Doe,” is identified as Maritza Green Grimmett, the last Panama woman she was seen in her family in the late 1970s.
In the midst of a surprising incident, a Florida woman contacted investigators in late 2023 and suspected the body belonged to her mother. A DNA test conducted by authorities in March 2024 confirmed her identity.
The breakthrough opens new doors in the investigation, and the detective is now focusing on the interests of Maritza’s ex-husband Howard Grimmett and his current wife, Isabel “Terry” Cruz Grimmett.
While Maritza’s murder investigation gained new momentum after her identity verification, many questions remain. In particular, investigators want to know more about how Maritza arrived in California and how many years it took place leading up to her death.
Former military service members stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Base in the early 1980s are being asked to move forward with whether there is useful information.
Maritza, who married Howard Grimmett of the US Marine Corps in 1978 and moved with him to various states, gave birth to a daughter in late 1979 before separation. It was reported to be missing.
Her body was discovered in a dark vert in Lake Forest in Orange County in April 1983, but her identity remained mysterious for over 40 years.
Despite thorough efforts, including forensic rendering and the use of media campaigns, it was not until 2023 that distant genetic relatives helped to connect cases to Maritza through Facebook groups.
This ID revitalized hopes of solving her murder and bringing justice to her family.
Investigators are currently seeking the public for additional information that could help resolve the case. Anyone with tips is encouraged to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Cold Case Murder Team.
Anyone with information about this case will be asked to email the cold case murder team at 714-647-7055 or coldcase@ocsheriff.gov. Anonymous tips can be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org. For more information about Maritza’s story, please visit the OC Sheriff’s Cold Case website.
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