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 (MP21696) and 5 other sources
Paula Ann Pope, 18 years old at the time, disappeared on September 3, 1972, while camping with her husband and friends at the Cripple Creek Campground in Fresh Pond, California. The day she vanished, Paula and her husband had an argument because she wanted to attend a rock concert in Carson City, Nevada, but her husband couldn’t accompany her due to parole restrictions. Frustrated, Paula left the camper, and although a friend initially followed her, she later returned to retrieve a coat. When the friend went back out, Paula had disappeared.

Paula is believed to have hitchhiked to the concert and then returned with two companions from Sacramento. Her companions last saw her speaking with "motorcycle types" near the campground. Paula has not been heard from since. Despite various theories, including possible connections to the Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders or an unidentified body found in Utah years later, Paula remains missing, and her case is still unsolved.

Authorities have continued to investigate leads over the decades, but no definitive answers have emerged regarding her fate. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office is the investigating agency, and anyone with information is encouraged to come forward.

Last Seen: Sep 3, 1972

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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 — California - unidentified case UP17572
Jane Doe — California
UP17572 • Found Oct 30, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–27 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 84%5'0"–5'5" vs 4'10"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Nevada City, California - unidentified case UP85674
Jane Doe — Nevada City, California
UP85674 • Found Jul 8, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%43 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 75%5'0"–5'8" vs 4'10"
Hair 50%Blond 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.