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 (MP6849) and 8 other sources
Cindy Lee Mellin, a 19-year-old sales clerk, was last seen on the night of January 20, 1970, in the parking lot of the Buenaventura Shopping Center in Ventura, California, after finishing her shift at the Broadway Department Store. She was observed standing next to her car, a 1960 Rambler sedan, with an unidentified man who appeared to be assisting her with a flat tire. Witnesses described the man as being between 30 and 40 years old, tall and thin, with light-colored hair. This was the last time Cindy was seen.

The following morning, Cindy's father went to the parking lot after she failed to return home and found her car still up on a jack with the flat tire attached. The spare tire was nearby, but there was no sign of Cindy. Investigators later determined that the tire had been deliberately punctured. Despite multiple leads, including reports of similar incidents in the area and a possible sighting in Oregon, none resulted in Cindy being found. The case remains unsolved to this day, and she is presumed to have disappeared under suspicious circumstances.

Over the years, there were various false leads, including claims by psychics and criminals, but none led to any definitive answers. Cindy's parents, who both passed away without knowing her fate, offered rewards for information, believing someone in the community knew what happened to their daughter. Her case is still classified as endangered missing, and investigators continue to seek any information that could provide answers.

Last Seen: Jan 20, 1970

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

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 — Calabasas Highlands, California
UP4424 • Found Sep 3, 1978
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%39 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%100 lb vs 105 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Jane Doe — Granada Hills, California
UP8868 • Found May 22, 1971
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 14–22 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%45 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Valencia, California - unidentified case UP4389
Jane Doe — Valencia, California
UP4389 • Found Jan 26, 1980
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 17–24 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%43 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%115–130 lb vs 105 lb
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — California
UP4456 • Found Dec 21, 1975
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%111 lb vs 105 lb
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP80466
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP80466 • Found Apr 26, 2021
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 51 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%115–130 lb vs 105 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
79%Possible
Jane Doe — California
UP10281 • Found Mar 22, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 99%94 lb vs 105 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP4332
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP4332 • Found Aug 21, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1"–5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%104 lb vs 105 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Newhall, California - unidentified case UP4370
Jane Doe — Newhall, California
UP4370 • Found Aug 26, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 15–20 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%44 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Acton, California
UP4449 • Found Aug 1, 1976
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%64 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'10" vs 5'6"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP4452
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP4452 • Found Apr 11, 1976
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–25 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%53 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 72%130–150 lb vs 105 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue

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.