Accident – death – Obituary News :

Authorities Release Sketch of Unidentified Victim of Serial Killer Keith Hunter Jesperson

(NewsNation) – The authorities have recently unveiled a sketch of the final unidentified victim of notorious serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, infamously known as the “Happy Face Killer.” This revelation aims to gather new leads and potentially bring closure to the victim’s family and loved ones.

The unfortunate incident occurred back in 1992, and Jesperson, who was convicted of the brutal murder fourteen years ago, had referred to the victim as “Claudia.” However, it remains uncertain whether Claudia was her real name or an alias used by the killer.

Jesperson confessed to crossing paths with Claudia at a brake check area close to Victorville, California, where she was hitchhiking at the time. Following an argument, he admitted to strangling her. According to Jesperson’s description, Claudia had shaggy blond hair and was approximately between 20 and 30 years old in 1992. She stood at around 5’6″ and had a medium build. Notably, Claudia possessed a unique tattoo consisting of two dots on the left side of her right thumb.

Authorities suspect that Claudia had connections to various regions in California, including Los Angeles, San Bernadino, and Riverside County, as well as Las Vegas. By utilizing familial DNA, investigators have traced her lineage to a deceased father from Texas. Unfortunately, despite having several half-siblings, none have been able to provide any information regarding Claudia’s true identity.

Keith Hunter Jesperson earned the moniker of the “Happy Face Killer” due to the smiley faces he left in notes addressed to the media and law enforcement agencies. While Jesperson claimed responsibility for up to 160 homicides during his time as a trucker, only eight victims have been officially linked to him.

Although Jesperson carried out his heinous crimes in the 1990s, it is only recently that some of his victims have been identified. One such victim, referred to as “Carla” or “Cindy,” was killed in 1993 and was identified as Patricia Skiple in 2022. Another woman, known solely as “Suzanne,” was murdered in 1994 and was identified as Suzanne L. Kjellenberg in 2023.

The authorities are appealing to the public for any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, in hopes of solving this cold case. If you have any relevant details, please contact the Cold Case Hotline at (951) 955-5567 or send an email to coldcaseunit@rivcoda.org.

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