Murder Of Kori Lamaster
Unsolved Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Santa Cruz, California
TIME PERIOD
1993
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
The case of Kori JoAnne Lamaster involves the murder of a teenage girl whose remains were discovered on January 29, 1994, in Pogonip Park, Santa Cruz, California. Lamaster, who was identified in 2013 after nearly two decades as an unidentified victim, was killed by bludgeoning, likely with a metal object. Key figures in the investigation include her family, who did not report her missing until 2007, and a father-son duo identified as persons of interest, with the son now deceased. The investigation gained renewed focus following the murder of the original investigator, prompting efforts to honor his memory. Significant evidence includes familial DNA matches and a fingerprint card that ultimately confirmed her identity.
Investigators and the public theorize that Kori Lamaster may have been killed by someone she knew, possibly due to her transient lifestyle and connections in the area. Some believe the crime could be linked to local drug activity, as she had traveled between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz, which are known for such issues. There is also speculation that the murder might be connected to other unsolved cases in the region, given the circumstances of her death and the location of her remains.
The Mystery of Pogonip Jane: The Murder of Kori Lamaster
On a chilly January day in 1994, two hikers searching for mushrooms in Pogonip Park, Santa Cruz, California, stumbled upon an unsettling discovery—a shallow grave near a homeless campsite. Inside lay the decomposed body of a young woman, her identity shrouded in mystery for nearly two decades. This was the tragic beginning of the story of Kori JoAnne Lamaster, once known only as Pogonip Jane.
A Life Cut Short
Kori Lamaster was born on October 2, 1976, in the United States. By the time of her untimely death, she was just 16 or 17 years old. Her body was discovered on January 29, 1994, but her life had been brutally ended in November of the previous year. The cause of death was determined to be homicide by bludgeoning, inflicted with a metal object, likely a pipe, which crushed her skull.
Unraveling Physical Clues
The victim's physical characteristics provided scant clues due to the advanced state of decomposition. She was a white female in her late teens, with short brown hair, and her fingernails painted pink. A tiny heart tattoo adorned the space between her left thumb and index finger, a poignant symbol of a life abruptly ended. Her dental records showed a few porcelain-filled cavities, and isotope analysis of her hair suggested she had traveled between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz, having lived in Pacifica before her death.
The Investigation Begins
The Santa Cruz Police Department embarked on a daunting investigation, which took an unexpected turn when their original investigator, Butch Baker, was tragically murdered in an unrelated incident. In his honor, the department renewed their efforts to solve the case. One of the strategies employed was the creation of a clay facial reconstruction based on the victim's skull, in the hope that someone might recognize her.
The Long Road to Identification
For years, the identity of Pogonip Jane remained elusive. It wasn't until 2007 that a missing person's report was filed by Kori Lamaster's family—a delay that remains unexplained due to privacy concerns. In a breakthrough moment, a DNA sample from her biological mother was submitted, and in October 2013, the State Department of Justice lab announced a familial match with DNA from the victim's remains.
Further investigation led to contact with Kori's sister in Washington, who provided a fingerprint card from Kori's youth. This was matched with prints taken during the autopsy, confirming her identity. The long-forgotten mystery of Pogonip Jane was finally solved, revealing her true name: Kori JoAnne Lamaster.
Persons of Interest
As the investigation continued, authorities identified two individuals as persons of interest—a father and son duo who had been seen traveling with Kori. However, the son had since passed away, and the father, Wayne White, was residing in eastern Tennessee. Their potential involvement remains a subject of interest.
Conclusion
The story of Kori Lamaster, once known only as Pogonip Jane, is a haunting reminder of the many unsolved mysteries that linger. While her identity has been reclaimed, the full story of her death remains shrouded in questions yet to be answered.
Sources
- Larson, Amy (December 5, 2013). "'Pogonip Jane' murder mystery solved by Santa Cruz police". KSBW. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- "Pogonip Jane' murder mystery solved by Santa Cruz police". KSBW. December 5, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- Kava, Brad (December 4, 2013). "Two Decade Old 'Pogonip Jane' Cold Case Solved by Santa Cruz Police". Santa Cruz Patch. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- "Detectives search for leads in death, identity of 'Pogonip Jane' 16 years after her body was found". Santa Cruz Sentinel. January 10, 2010. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- "Santa Cruz Police Release Detailed Timeline Of Rampage That Killed 2 Officers". May 23, 2013. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- "Santa Cruz 'Pogonip Jane' cold case murder takes ironic twist". KCBA News. December 5, 2013. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- "Getting Warmer". Good Times. December 24, 2013. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Body Discovered
Decomposed remains of a female found in Pogonip Park by hikers.
Body Identified as Unidentified
The remains are confirmed to be those of an unidentified female, later known as Kori Lamaster.
Missing Person Report Filed
Kori Lamaster's family files a missing person report, years after her death.
DNA Match Found
Familial DNA from Lamaster's mother matches DNA from the victim's body.
Case Solved
Santa Cruz police announce the identification of Kori Lamaster as 'Pogonip Jane'.
The case of Kori JoAnne Lamaster involves the murder of a teenage girl whose remains were discovered on January 29, 1994, in Pogonip Park, Santa Cruz, California. Lamaster, who was identified in 2013 after nearly two decades as an unidentified victim, was killed by bludgeoning, likely with a metal object. Key figures in the investigation include her family, who did not report her missing until 2007, and a father-son duo identified as persons of interest, with the son now deceased. The investigation gained renewed focus following the murder of the original investigator, prompting efforts to honor his memory. Significant evidence includes familial DNA matches and a fingerprint card that ultimately confirmed her identity.
Investigators and the public theorize that Kori Lamaster may have been killed by someone she knew, possibly due to her transient lifestyle and connections in the area. Some believe the crime could be linked to local drug activity, as she had traveled between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz, which are known for such issues. There is also speculation that the murder might be connected to other unsolved cases in the region, given the circumstances of her death and the location of her remains.
The Mystery of Pogonip Jane: The Murder of Kori Lamaster
On a chilly January day in 1994, two hikers searching for mushrooms in Pogonip Park, Santa Cruz, California, stumbled upon an unsettling discovery—a shallow grave near a homeless campsite. Inside lay the decomposed body of a young woman, her identity shrouded in mystery for nearly two decades. This was the tragic beginning of the story of Kori JoAnne Lamaster, once known only as Pogonip Jane.
A Life Cut Short
Kori Lamaster was born on October 2, 1976, in the United States. By the time of her untimely death, she was just 16 or 17 years old. Her body was discovered on January 29, 1994, but her life had been brutally ended in November of the previous year. The cause of death was determined to be homicide by bludgeoning, inflicted with a metal object, likely a pipe, which crushed her skull.
Unraveling Physical Clues
The victim's physical characteristics provided scant clues due to the advanced state of decomposition. She was a white female in her late teens, with short brown hair, and her fingernails painted pink. A tiny heart tattoo adorned the space between her left thumb and index finger, a poignant symbol of a life abruptly ended. Her dental records showed a few porcelain-filled cavities, and isotope analysis of her hair suggested she had traveled between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz, having lived in Pacifica before her death.
The Investigation Begins
The Santa Cruz Police Department embarked on a daunting investigation, which took an unexpected turn when their original investigator, Butch Baker, was tragically murdered in an unrelated incident. In his honor, the department renewed their efforts to solve the case. One of the strategies employed was the creation of a clay facial reconstruction based on the victim's skull, in the hope that someone might recognize her.
The Long Road to Identification
For years, the identity of Pogonip Jane remained elusive. It wasn't until 2007 that a missing person's report was filed by Kori Lamaster's family—a delay that remains unexplained due to privacy concerns. In a breakthrough moment, a DNA sample from her biological mother was submitted, and in October 2013, the State Department of Justice lab announced a familial match with DNA from the victim's remains.
Further investigation led to contact with Kori's sister in Washington, who provided a fingerprint card from Kori's youth. This was matched with prints taken during the autopsy, confirming her identity. The long-forgotten mystery of Pogonip Jane was finally solved, revealing her true name: Kori JoAnne Lamaster.
Persons of Interest
As the investigation continued, authorities identified two individuals as persons of interest—a father and son duo who had been seen traveling with Kori. However, the son had since passed away, and the father, Wayne White, was residing in eastern Tennessee. Their potential involvement remains a subject of interest.
Conclusion
The story of Kori Lamaster, once known only as Pogonip Jane, is a haunting reminder of the many unsolved mysteries that linger. While her identity has been reclaimed, the full story of her death remains shrouded in questions yet to be answered.
Sources
- Larson, Amy (December 5, 2013). "'Pogonip Jane' murder mystery solved by Santa Cruz police". KSBW. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- "Pogonip Jane' murder mystery solved by Santa Cruz police". KSBW. December 5, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- Kava, Brad (December 4, 2013). "Two Decade Old 'Pogonip Jane' Cold Case Solved by Santa Cruz Police". Santa Cruz Patch. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- "Detectives search for leads in death, identity of 'Pogonip Jane' 16 years after her body was found". Santa Cruz Sentinel. January 10, 2010. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- "Santa Cruz Police Release Detailed Timeline Of Rampage That Killed 2 Officers". May 23, 2013. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- "Santa Cruz 'Pogonip Jane' cold case murder takes ironic twist". KCBA News. December 5, 2013. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- "Getting Warmer". Good Times. December 24, 2013. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Body Discovered
Decomposed remains of a female found in Pogonip Park by hikers.
Body Identified as Unidentified
The remains are confirmed to be those of an unidentified female, later known as Kori Lamaster.
Missing Person Report Filed
Kori Lamaster's family files a missing person report, years after her death.
DNA Match Found
Familial DNA from Lamaster's mother matches DNA from the victim's body.
Case Solved
Santa Cruz police announce the identification of Kori Lamaster as 'Pogonip Jane'.