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Sheryl Porter Missing Person Case

Last seen in San Francisco, California on Nov 16, 1984

Victim Details

Jun 20, 2023

Jun 28, 2023

Sheryl

Porter

66

25

61 inches

125 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Nov 16, 1984

San Francisco

California

San Francisco County

No

125956

Calaveras County Sheriff's Office

San Andreas

California

Calaveras County

95249

Tim Sturm

Lieutenant

1045 Jeff Tuttle Drive, California

2097546500

County

Law Enforcement

http://sheriff.calaverasgov.us/

85-003253 & 21-001493

Calaveras County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 9, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP104730) and 1 other source
Sheryl Lynn Porter, also known as Sheryl Okoro, was a 25-year-old woman last seen on November 16, 1984, in San Francisco, California. Foul play is suspected in her disappearance, which was later linked to the infamous serial killers Leonard Lake and Charles Ng. Sheryl had reportedly met Lake through an offer of work at a "pot farm" and vanished shortly after. Authorities believe she was held captive, tortured, and murdered by Lake and Ng in a remote bunker they had constructed in the Sierra Nevada foothills. This bunker became infamous for the horrors it contained, where Lake and Ng reportedly tortured and killed multiple victims as part of their so-called "Miranda Project."

Evidence of Sheryl’s fate was discovered during a search of the property, including photographs, personal belongings, and a journal she had written. Despite these discoveries, her remains were never fully recovered, although investigators found extensive bone fragments and other remains that suggested numerous victims had been dismembered and burned.

Sheryl's tragic story gained more public attention when her daughter, who had been adopted at a young age, learned of her biological mother’s fate years later. Her daughter has since sought justice and closure by sharing her mother's story and raising awareness of the crimes committed by Lake and Ng. This case remains one of the darkest in California's history.
Last Seen: Nov 16, 1984

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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  • Site Updates - Doe Network

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (8)

    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.

    83%Moderate
    Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP125213
    Jane Doe — San Jose, California
    UP125213 • Found Oct 27, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 25
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%42 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5958 • Found Jun 19, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%4 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 5'1"
    Weight 94%109 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    79%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 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%49 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 36 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'1"
    Weight 100%120–125 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP5932
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5932 • Found Apr 5, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
    Weight 80%100 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5906 • Found Jan 7, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 25
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound 7 weeks after last seen
    Height 52%5'5" vs 5'1"
    Weight 96%110 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP9160 • Found Apr 22, 2011
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%2 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 26 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
    Weight 100%125 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Martinez, California
    UP12473 • Found Aug 5, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 17–30 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Hair 50%Red vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP7323 • Found Dec 23, 2009
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 50–75 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%2 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 25 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'3" vs 5'1"
    Weight 80%100 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 70%Gray 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.

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    Forum Posts (3)

    I’ve been diving deep into the case of Sheryl Lynn Porter, and one thing that puzzles me is how she... ...Read More
    09/11/2024
    Has anyone else looked into how Sheryl Porter’s disappearance highlights the risks surrounding those... ...Read More
    11/06/2023
    Has anyone else been following the missing person's case of Sheryl Lynn Porter, who also went by... ...Read More
    06/15/2023

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