Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP29252) and 6 other sources
Nellie Margaret Tibbitts, a 26-year-old woman, disappeared on October 1, 1959, in Watsonville, California. She was last seen driving her green and white 1952 Plymouth, which was later found abandoned several weeks after her disappearance. Born in Illinois, Nellie had moved to California as a child. At the time of her disappearance, she was 5'4" tall, weighed around 135 pounds, and had brown hair and brown eyes. She also had distinctive physical characteristics, including deformed nails on two fingers. Despite searches, no trace of her has been found, and she has not been heard from since that day.

The lack of substantial leads has left her case cold for decades. Nellie’s vehicle was one of the few pieces of evidence recovered, but it offered no significant clues to her whereabouts. Little information is available about the circumstances leading up to her disappearance, and her case remains an enduring mystery. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office continues to handle her case, hoping for any new information that might emerge. Given the lengthy time since her disappearance, Nellie's case is classified as "endangered missing," reflecting the serious concerns surrounding her fate.
Last Seen: Oct 1, 1959

Possible Unidentified Matches (7)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

79%Possible
Jane Doe — Orinda, California - unidentified case UP12922
Jane Doe — Orinda, California
UP12922 • Found Aug 23, 1975
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–29 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 83%71 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"
Weight 74%166 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP129724
Jane Doe — San Jose, California
UP129724 • Found Jan 23, 2021
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%23 mi away, same state
TimingFound 61 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'4"
Weight 100%120–125 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP125213
Jane Doe — San Jose, California
UP125213 • Found Oct 27, 1985
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 84%5'2" vs 5'4"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Keyes, California
UP13028 • Found Apr 27, 1984
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%64 mi away, same state
TimingFound 25 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'4"
Weight 90%115 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Newark, California - unidentified case UP53306
Jane Doe — Newark, California
UP53306 • Found Oct 24, 1985
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%46 mi away, same state
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6"–5'8" vs 5'4"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP9160 • Found Apr 22, 2011
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Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%68 mi away, same state
TimingFound 52 years after last seen
Height 84%5'2" vs 5'4"
Weight 100%125 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5906 • Found Jan 7, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%70 mi away, same state
TimingFound 25 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"
Weight 83%110 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.