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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 (MP12157) and 1 other source
Bettye Whitaker, age 64, went missing on March 4, 1981, from Novato, California. At the time, she was a patient at Novato Community Hospital. Against the advice of medical staff, she left the hospital and has not been seen since. Bettye was wearing a gold bracelet and a rosary when she disappeared. She stood 5'2", weighed 160 pounds, and had gray or partially gray hair and blue eyes. Notably, she had IV scars, adding to the few distinguishing characteristics available in her case.

Despite extensive efforts, investigators have been unable to locate any family members or obtain DNA, dental records, or even photographs of Bettye. This has made her case particularly challenging to solve. Bettye also went by the alias "Lana Lee." Her vehicle was not found, and there has been no further information regarding her whereabouts since her disappearance. Her case remains unsolved, and any information that could lead to her discovery is highly sought after by authorities.
Last Seen: Mar 4, 1981

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

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.

82%Moderate
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5870 • Found Jul 8, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 55–75 vs 64
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'2"
Weight 35%100 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Mountain View, California - unidentified case UP77595
Jane Doe — Mountain View, California
UP77595 • Found Mar 2, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 64
Race 100%White
Location 88%55 mi away, same state
TimingFound same day as last seen
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
77%Possible
Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP129724
Jane Doe — San Jose, California
UP129724 • Found Jan 23, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 64 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 83%73 mi away, same state
TimingFound 40 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'2"
Weight 76%120–125 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 70%Brown vs Gray
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
76%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5958 • Found Jun 19, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 72%Est. 40–60 vs 64 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%23 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1" vs 5'2"
Weight 51%109 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
75%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP7323 • Found Dec 23, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 50–75 vs 64 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%23 mi away, same state
TimingFound 29 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'2"
Weight 35%100 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray

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.