The Girl Next Door

An Obsessed Cop And Amazing Forensics Help Solve A Haunting Mystery

(CBS)  This story was last broadcast on June 14, 2008.

Like any good homicide detective, Sgt. Scott Dudek can sometimes get a little obsessed with his cases. But as correspondent Harold Dow reports, the 2003 murder of an unidentified young girl troubled him more than any other.

A 22-year veteran of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office in northern California, Dudek has solved his share of gruesome crimes. But murders are rare in the suburban community of Castro Valley.

So what he saw the night of May 1, 2003 was especially shocking, even to a seasoned detective: the body of a young girl, murdered, stuffed into a trash bag, and discarded behind a restaurant.

Dudek says the girl had been dead for about ten days. And the way she died - with a rag in her throat - suggests someone may have wanted to silence her.

Usually, Dudek says, investigators know within the first 24 to 48 hours the identity of an unidentified murder victim, as missing persons' reports are reviewed or parents contact the authorities.

But sadly, no one seemed to be looking for this victim. Because her body was so badly decomposed, a local artist did the best she could to give her a face. They also gave her a name: "Jane Doe." Police had to rely on her autopsy for other clues.

"We had ten perfect prints that we got off of both her hands, which is a rarity," Dudek explains.

Investigators guessed she was in her early teens. She was in good health, with perfect teeth. This Jane had all the appearances of a typical teenage girl-next-door, from her painted nails to her choice of clothing.

Dudek released a sketch, hopeful it was good enough for someone to recognize this girl once it was splashed all over the local media and posted on Web sites dedicated to finding missing children. "With this sketch being released we probably had 150 possible clues or sightings of people that thought they knew who our Castro Valley Jane Doe was," he says.

One clue seemed so promising, that Dudek and his partner, Ed Chicoine, followed it all the way down to the Texas-Mexican border, where they collected DNA samples from several mothers of missing teenage girls, including a girl whose picture bore a remarkable resemblance to Jane.

But none of those leads panned out. There would be many more dead ends, but Dudek remained determined, even though his frustration was mounting.

Then, investigators got another clue that seemed almost too good to be true from a possible witness: "We thought it was a huge break. We got an anonymous letter in the mail," Dudek says.

The writer claimed to have seen someone get "something from the trunk" of a car and dump it into the very same bushes where the body was found.

Dudek says police asked the person to come forward, offering to keep him anonymous. This potential witness admitted in the letter that he was reluctant to come forward because he himself had been in that parking lot "waiting for a married girlfriend."

As weeks turned to months, the letter writer never came forward and no one claimed this young girl.

But her case touched the people of Castro Valley, and an unlikely hero emerged: Dave Woolworth, a landscaper. He had no way of knowing that what he was about to do would one day help solve this mystery.

"From day one she touched me, and to this day she still does," says Woolworth, who was best known around town for his signature tie-dyed T-shirts. "When I read the story, I started crying. And I looked at my wife and I told her, 'No one will come and claim her. It was eating at me.'"

Once the forensic investigation was completed, Jane was destined for cremation. But that was unacceptable to Woolworth, himself a father who had once been estranged from his own daughter.

Woolworth decided to take the lead in raising donations from the community, and so four months after her body was abandoned in a parking lot, Castro Valley's adopted daughter was given a funeral befitting a dignitary.

As several more months went by, this child was still nameless, and her killer faceless. The leads had slowed to a trickle.

So Sgt. Dudek made the agonizing decision to exhume the young girl's body and search again for the clues that could close this case.

[ewkendricks]

I cried as I thought about that lovely, sweet, girl whose American Dream came to an end so sadly. And, I cried because I have a daughter around that age. Stop being heartless! The U.S. should have extradition treaties with Mexico so they can bring back the likes of this human refuse who killed that poor, helpless child. How can anyone look beyond that precious human life to rationalize and politicize their agendas? Remember, the bast*** who did this is running free because he is in Mexico. Would you stand for this if it was your precious little girl he killed?

[ewkendricks]

well

[tiredofbs]

I am furious. Why are U.S. police obsessed with any case to begin with let alone yet all this coverage for yet another illegal???
She was not "the girl next door"! She put herself in this situation because she was yet one more smart Mexican thumbing their nose at the US government and tax-paying citizens. I hope the family is charged for all the hours logged for this case and the burial fees!

[noirviolette]

I'm curious about the note left on her grave,they didn't say much about it,would like to know if that was checked out.Seems worth it since it said someone named Jim was paying for what he did to her.

[monroeanoka]

THANKS TO THE POLICE, FORENSICS,THE WOMAN WHO SEARCHES LOST CHILD DATABASES TO FIND JANE DOES FAMILIES AND MOST ASSUREDLY THE GARDENER WHO CARED ENOUGH ABOUT A PERSON TO MAKE SURE THE FAMILY OF YASINIA WAS FOUND IN MEXICO. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR LIVES AND CONTINUE TO DO GOOD IN THE WORLD THROUGH YOU. YOU ARE ALL HEROS IN MY EYES.

[greedrwc]

This story made me sick to my stomach. Beside the fact an innocent young girl was killed. The question i had was is who paid for all this? Seeing how california is in finacial crisis, it was comforting to know that we spent 6 years of police resources to solve a crime of someone who isnt even a US citizen. Does anyone think that this girl or her family paid any taxes? And what about the mother sending her girl to the US at 14 years? Did she even try and contact the police in her country? Heres the real crime, we spend all this money and dont even catch the killer, mean while funding from education is pulled and taxes are raised cause the state is going broke.....geee i wonder why.

[shawn255]

y are u so worried about who paid for all of this.that should be the least of your worries. the fact that a young girl came to america to further her career but instead she ended up dead. if u would think about things before u say them then u would know that most mexicans let their kids go to the united states to get a better life for themselves. and if you knew someone that was a friend of the family u wouldnt have to think twice.. this little girl is dead and all u care about is where and who paid for the funeral. u should really be ashamed of yourself to have all that hate in your heart. if this was your little girl you would of wanted the same no matter where u are from......

[wyo-kid]

I hope they catch the scumbag that killed her.

[vivme]

People face the facts we are all so ignorant. We are all imigrants.
I pay taxes too and I don''t get to food stamps or help from the goverment.
This is a story about a girl who imigrated to USA to have a better life is to bad that stupid baster took advantage of her. I''m proud to day that I''m Mexican and I love my country even though I was not born in Mexico. You all are just full of hate.

[tiredofbs]

Do you mean immigrate--and immigrants? Well, she wasn't one of them--she did NOT immigrate--she sneaked into the U.S. (just like millions other clever Mexicans) and was here illegally, with the aid of her mother.
You are just full of ignorance.
By the way, all us other immigrants did it LEGALLY and have proper ID, can be located and identified, and are required to pay taxes.

I'm wondering: If so many Mexicans are so proud of their country then WHY are they all trying to get here?

[pallasa]

I am a regular watcher and I think we are lucky that the various committed people came together in a way that this case was solved.

I do not think this story is by any means an immigration issue, BUT I think that 48 hours missed an important and integral element within this case by not having the guts to mention it. When people (citizen or not) are engaged in illegal activity, it has an impact on their reluctance to come forward, and it has ripples throughout every aspect of the society - and it had a signigicant part in this mystery.

It was a serious lapse of journalistic integrity to NOT address the immigration issue as part of this story both here and abroad. Mothers need to be aware that this is NOT the land of opportunity for teenage girls without their parents. In this day, unprotected teens are not safe. These are major elements of this story that were not addressed because of the reluctance to honestly adress the elements introduced by the immigration issue.

(FYI - I am pro legal immigration. I am pro law inforcement for people born here, or people born elsewhere. The enforcement of laws and public standards is important. Everyone - rich, poor, black, white or green - should be held to the same standard of responsibility to uphold the law.)

[tiredofbs]

You hit it right on the nail about the lapse of integrity of journalist and the ripple effect. This crime would have likely been solved in days IF the mother was not hiding the fact that she was actually part of an illegal activity herself: these people send over their very own children to face who knows what. Oh well, win some, lose some I guess--isn't that the thinking? I just do not feel sorry for any member of the family. The mother and daughter willingly and knowingly engaged in a federal crime. The daughter lost, but oh so did the US tax-paying citizens (big time). Six years instead of days because this mother had the nerve to not report her activity to the police. She allow for her daughter to lay in a garbage bag with a rag stuffed in her mouth in a parking lot to rot and did nothing while other good people went to extraordinary lengths to id her and bury her. Charge the family: resource fees, burial, and a Fine.

[roscoezzz]

This story made me proud to be a human being. I am so glad this male stranger fought for "Jane Doe" to NOT BE CREMATED. He wanted this young girl''s Bones to be her truth, after her tragic death.
I am grateful that today''s technology can really help identify the MISSING. Plus, the fact that men who have daughters of their own, really have great compassion for all daughters.
I almost cried when the mother stood up during her daughter''s funeral and asked everyone to applaud the American authorities.
I don''t think Immigration Policies would''ve helped this girl or not. WHO KNOWS WHAT BRINGS A MAN TO MURDER? Remember, this guy who the girl lived with was a family friend. They trusted him.
I''m proud of this girl. She wanted a better life and was willing to work hard to have it where she could be free. It was a dream that many never seek in their impoverished countries. Go Bless that man who fought to save her Bones.

[gwtwboofy]

chitown639, I appreciate your support. You seem to be one of the few ''posters'' who has an intelligent and nonabusive view and who can address an issue without resorting to name calling and attacking other''s views.

juantexas, from your name I''m assuming you are of Mexican descent so of course you would disagree. For your info, I do watch TV and I know perfectly well that for each story aired on this, there are hundreds that aren''t. And the sad thing is if you are black, murdered and unidentified, your chances are slim to none that your story will be brought to the public''s attention by the media. AND NO, I am not black, I''m white in an all white county in a state that is 3/4 white but I don''t let my views on what should and shouldn''t be aired, seen, investigated, etc. be clouded by race.

[juantexas]

The people turning this into an immigration debate..more like hate filled rants, are bigots simply because this story deals with the tragic events leading to this poor girl''s death, indentification and return home and not immigration issues. It is an amazing story of the hard work and dedication of the people involved in solving this case. They are real heroes. Anyone using this tragedy, either pro or against immigration misses the point of the story completely and is clearly blinded by their own agendas. Stop using this girl''s death to fuel your hate filled rants!


"What I''''d like to know is how many American citizen Jane Does and John Does there are lying in morgues right now who will never have their disappearance and murder given this kind of media coverage. "

just watch more tv, there are tons of them every week on 48 hours, Dateline, 20/20 and similar shows. Have you heard of Baby Grace?? Unfortunately there are thousands of them that will never get solved. Thankfully, there are concerned police officers and ordinary citizens like those in this story that are working hard everyday to see that justice prevails. My thanks to all of them.

[chitown639]

gwtwboofy, I agree totally with you. I know there are some who would attack you and call you a bigot for your comments. But, I think your post conveys the feelings of a lot of Americans. In todays political environment, you cant be anti-illegal immigrantion without being labeled a bigot. But in reality, your stance isnt bigotry at all, its called being Pro-American. America is the greatest country in the world. There is so much opportunity and freedom in the U.S., I would not want to live anywhere else in the world. Which is why I really dont blame the illegals so much. Quite honestly, if I were born in Mexico or any other country, I would be trying like hell to get into the U.S. too!!! The corporate world and the politicans they influence are to blame for the illegal immigration problems. Yes, the true enemy is the U.S. corporations addiction to cheap labor to stay competitive in domestic and global markets. This addiction is nothing new, its been here since slavery. Throughout U.S. history there has always been at least one ethnic group(Blacks, Irish, Chinese, Mexican etc etc) facing opposition from the nations poor and middle-class competing for jobs and social services. Corporate America and U.S. politicians promote class and ethnic bigotry as a divisive tool to influence cheap labor. Keeping the nations poor, working class and disinfrancised divided is the key to big corporate profits and a sound economy.

[irisheyes555]

I am glad to see they posted pictures of Yesenia and the creep Castaneda now. The pictures were not in this article when I first read it. This is a human story, not a political statement on immigration. I thought it was very touching the people of Castro Valley were able to return Yesenia''s body to her home town for proper burial. I expect to see adults posting here, not imbeciles who are still emotionally in 4th grade. I''m glad to see many people rallied to rebuke the obvious juvenile poster.

[gwtwboofy]

I am so sorry for the loss of this young girl''s life. No one deserves to be murdered. The scum who killed her should be brought to justice. However, one cannot deny that she was an illegal alien as it seems was her killer.

I have to agree with c2c_donb8n on this point: this whole story seems to be for sensational reasons and to promote someone''s propaganda (CBS, illegal immigrant rights supporters, whoever). And I''m sorry but I don''t care how bad things were in Mexico, there is NO way I would let my teenage daughter move illegally to another country with a man, be he a family friend or not. This whole situation was a disaster waiting to happen.

What I''d like to know is how many American citizen Jane Does and John Does there are lying in morgues right now who will never have their disappearance and murder given this kind of media coverage. Right now in many parts of America its the ''in'' thing to tout illegal immigrant rights. Sorry, if they are illegal , they don''t HAVE rights and I''m tired of my tax dollars going to support them with medical cards, food stamps, housing, schooling with interpretors, etc. when there are Americans who can''t get the help they need, but the immigrants always seem to be able to get.

Again, it was wrong for this girl to have her life snuffed out so soon. Its also wrong to deny the Anerican families of murdered, unidentified people the same media coverage that might allow them some closure, too.

[onklepie]

gwtwboofy, I sat here wondering how far back do I have to go in history to prove that if there is anyone in America who is not an immigrant then they are a Native American - Indian, period!! Which of the boats did your grandparents come over on so you can call your self American. Was it during the Irish crisis? If my account is correct most Americans are of German background,so tell me why shouldnt others get a chance to flee to America. Irrespective of what they are fleeing from. If the people who owned the cotton farms in the south were not illegal when they first landed on American soil, then these are not illegal either.

[mom_o_truth]

c2c_donB8n and all sick minded alike : Do not turn this murder case into an %u201Cillegal escape goat%u201D. California farmers can%u2019t do without them. Without these illegal slaves you would have no food on your table or you would you like to eat Chinese imported food too, they clean your hotels and restaurants all in the name of freedom without health insurance or social security. GO BLAME THE MOB WHO exported jobs to India and China instead of Mexico next door. That would have solved many illegal problems. No, but GREAD and CONTROL dominates. Go blame THE MOB that is sucking your money at the gas pump, heating bill, ARM loans and spending Half a Billion a day of your tax money on a useless war to benefit Halliburton and the Exxons. How about surviving these dark ages without a job nor health insurance nor social security LIGALLY for over 16 years since the first Iraq war. You need those slaves to serve you,legal or not, so at least show some respect for human dignity.

[mygramma]

I am an old man with two daughters, and maybe that''s why this story touched me so deeply, brought me to tears. But I think it''s more - I can feel the humanity of it all to the bones.

I am very proud of the people in this tragedy, the police officers and citizens of Castro Valley and the good citizens of Yahualica, Mexico. And I can feel the pain from Detective Dudek''s brutalized soul upon meeting the mama of Yasenia while having to do what he had to do. Wrenching I''m sure, but also inspiring for me.

It reminds me of my many experiences in Mexico among some of the most impoverished people on earth who have next to nothing, but willingly extend their kindness and generosity to their American visitors, in real terms - me for one. I have never had that north of the Mexican-American border.

I don''t know this, but I would guess that Castro Valley and Yahualica, Mexico are two communities that have adopted one another. Yup, I would bet on it.

Officer Dudek, ya'' done good and so did the other amazing people in this story.

[lysagoras]

First of all, had Yesenia been a documented and legal alien, her identification would have been much easier to determine. This would have made notifying her next of kin and the subsequent capture of her killer much quicker. This lack of any documentation is why it took three years to find and notify her mother, giving the killer all the time nessesary to disappear. If she had applied for proper and legal papers to cross the boarder and work legally, she may still be in line to get that paper work but she would be alive. Alive and poor in Mexico is better than dead anywhere.

[mikeweeks1]

This is a heartbreaking story. This tragedy could have been avoided were it not for our broken borders. This young girl would still be alive if she and her alledged killer had been unable to cross into the United States illegally. She would still be alive and taxpayer money and police time would have not needed to be used to solve a case in which no citzens or legal residents were involved. The federal government is a key player in this girl''s death.

[revagent1]

at the very least every place in this country should never cremate an unknown jane or john doe. that should go without saying. never cremate an unknown.