Francine Marie Trimble, a 14-year-old American girl, disappeared on December 16, 1978, alongside her 15-year-old friend Kerry Ann Graham. The two were inseparable friends and neighbors in Forestville, California. On the day of their disappearance, they had reportedly planned to visit the Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa. However, neither of them was ever heard from again.
Trimble's mother filed a missing person report within 24 hours, while Graham's disappearance was reported on Christmas Eve of the same year.
Their remains were discovered on July 8, 1979, approximately 80 miles north of Forestville, in a remote woodland area near Highway 20, close to Willits, California. The bodies were concealed within duct-taped garbage bags and buried within an embankment. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, the specific cause of death for both victims could not be determined, though their deaths were classified as homicides. Initially, Graham's body was mistakenly identified as that of a male until genetic testing later confirmed her identity.
For decades, the identities of the victims remained unknown. It was not until November 2015 that DNA profiling confirmed the remains belonged to Kerry Graham and Francine Trimble. Despite this breakthrough, the case remains one of the oldest cold cases in Mendocino County. Investigators have long suspected foul play, possibly involving someone the girls knew, as there were no signs of a struggle at their homes. Additionally, neither girl had taken personal belongings with them, suggesting they had not planned to run away.
No arrests have been made in connection with their deaths, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The case remains unsolved, with law enforcement continuing to seek leads. The circumstances surrounding their disappearance and murder remain a mystery, leaving their families without closure.
