Investigators Identify Final Victim of 'Happy Face Killer' More than 30 Years After Her Death
A DNA match from her sister ended a decadeslong search and confirmed the remains belonged to the final unidentified victim of Keith Hunter Jesperson.
- On Friday, Riverside County officials identified Lydia McWhorter as the final unidentified victim of serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, known as the 'Happy Face Killer,' resolving a three-decade mystery.
- Jesperson, currently incarcerated at the Oregon State Penitentiary, confessed to murdering eight women between 1990 and 1995, referring to this victim only as 'Claudia' while working as a truck driver.
- After decades of wondering, Brenda Burks provided a DNA sample, saying she knew the test "would prove whether or not the lady that they found was actually my little bitty sister that" was missing.
- Investigators credited genealogy research and public tips for generating leads that ultimately cracked the case; Riverside County is now assisting the family in arranging Lydia's final arrangements.
- Lydia's remains were discovered along U.S. Route 95 near Blythe in August 1995; this identification follows the 2022 confirmation of another Jesperson victim, Patricia Skiple, by the Santa Clara County Sheriff.
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California authorities identify final unknown victim of ‘Happy Face Killer’ Keith Jesperson after 34 years
'Happy Face Killer' Keith Hunter Jesperson's final unknown victim has been identified via DNA as Lydia Jane Wade McWhorter, whose body was found along a California highway in 1992.
Authorities identify Happy Face Killer victim found in California more than 30 years ago
Investigators have identified the final victim of a serial killer known as the Happy Face Killer, almost 34 years after the discovery of her body in Southern California. The Happy Face Killer, identified as Keith Hunter Jesperson, has eight confirmed murder victims killed across multiple U.S. states between 1990 and 1995. He reportedly mailed many [...]
Final victim of the 'Happy Face Killer' identified 34 years later
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) - Investigators have identified the final unidentified victim of serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, known as the “Happy Face Killer,” 34 years after the discovery of her body near Blythe. The woman, previously referred to by investigators as “Claudia,” was officially identified on Thursday as Lydia Jane Wade McWhorter, a 26-year-old from The post Final victim of the ‘Happy Face Killer’ identified 34 years later appear…
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