Murder Of Tammy Vincent
Unsolved Teenage Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Tiburon, California
TIME PERIOD
September 1979
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
Tammy A. Vincent, a 17-year-old runaway, was murdered in September 1979, with her body discovered on September 26, 1979, in Tiburon, California. Initially unidentified, Vincent was last seen alive on September 10, 1979, in Seattle, Washington, where she had been working as a prostitute after being relocated following a police raid. Her murder was characterized by multiple causes of death, including stabbing, fire, and firearm injuries. Despite extensive investigations, including efforts by the television show America's Most Wanted in collaboration with NCIS cast member Pauley Perrette in 2009, the case remains unsolved, and Vincent's murder is still under active investigation. Significant evidence includes her last known whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding her relocation, which may implicate her former employers in her death.
Tammy Vincent is believed to have potentially been a victim of the Green River killer, given the timeline and her circumstances. There is speculation that her murder may be linked to her cooperation with law enforcement against her employers in a prostitution case, suggesting that her death could have been a retaliatory act. Investigators and the public also theorize that the last man seen with her, described as wearing a leisure suit, may hold crucial information regarding her murder.
The Tragic Case of Tammy Vincent
An Unresolved Murder
Tammy A. Vincent, a spirited young girl from Okanogan County, Washington, met a tragic and violent end in September 1979. Despite the gruesome nature of her death, it would take nearly three decades for her remains to be identified. Her case, filled with twists and turns, remains officially unsolved but continues to intrigue investigators and the public alike. The story of Tammy Vincent is as much about the crime as it is about the relentless pursuit of justice, a pursuit that even caught the attention of NCIS star Pauley Perrette, who collaborated with "America's Most Wanted" in 2009 to try and solve the case.
A Troubled Youth
Born around 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tammy was the daughter of a farmer and lived in Okanogan County, Washington, a rural area about 140 miles northeast of Seattle. Known for her headstrong and adventurous personality, Tammy frequently clashed with her parents during her teenage years. These conflicts often led her to run away for weeks at a time, eventually leading her to leave home permanently in the fall of 1978.
By January 1979, Tammy found herself in a foster home in Spokane, Washington. It wasn't long before she drifted to Seattle, where she became entangled in the world of prostitution. In August of that year, during a vice police raid, Tammy was arrested alongside several others. Seizing an opportunity to escape her situation, she agreed to testify against her employers, five men under investigation for prostitution and racketeering in King County, Washington.
The Dangerous Game
Tammy's decision to cooperate with law enforcement put her life in jeopardy. In an attempt to protect her, authorities moved her from SeaTac to Spokane. However, a lawyer representing the defendants managed to locate her and returned her to the very people she was supposed to testify against. Tammy was last seen in Seattle on September 10, 1979, stepping into a silver Lincoln Continental owned by one of her employers.
Despite a King County Superior Court judge issuing a protective order on September 11, 1979, identifying Tammy as a material witness, she never appeared in court. Her family heard from her one last time that summer when she expressed fear for her life and a desire to return home. Tragically, they never saw or heard from her again.
The Murder
On the morning of September 26, 1979, joggers stumbled upon Tammy's battered and burned body on a beach at Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon, California. The scene was horrifying: gravel embedded in her face suggested she had been knocked down, possibly in a nearby parking lot. Her attacker had used an awl to inflict 43 stab wounds on her chest and back. In a gruesome display, the killer doused her with paint and acetone, setting her on fire and burning her face beyond recognition. Despite the horrific injuries, Tammy managed to run 20 feet across the beach before she was fatally shot in the back of the head.
Witnesses recalled seeing a bonfire on the beach around 3 a.m. and a blue van speeding away from the scene. Investigators found an awl, acetone containers, a can of black paint, and a cigarette lighter at the crime scene. A receipt from a Woolworth's in San Francisco, dated the night before, confirmed the purchase of these items.
The Long Road to Identification
Initially, Tammy's body could not be identified. Examiners determined her eye color, height, weight, and gender, but the severe burns made recognition impossible. Years later, in 2002, her body was exhumed and transported to Richmond, Virginia, for further examination. The Center for Missing and Exploited Children developed a composite image from her skull, a technique used on many unidentified victims.
Finally, in 2007, DNA samples from Tammy's mother and sister matched the remains, providing the long-awaited identification. Due to the condition of her remains, detectives had to use hair from her pubic region for DNA testing, as her head was too severely burned to collect samples. After her identification, Tammy was cremated on August 7, 2007, and her ashes were flown back to her family in Washington by Detective Steve Nash, who had been dedicated to her case since 2001.
A Case Not Forgotten
Tammy Vincent's murder remains unsolved, a haunting reminder of the dangers she faced in her short life. Her story is a testament to the persistence of detectives and advocates who continue to seek justice. Her case has been featured alongside other long-unsolved mysteries, such as the murders of Anjelica Castillo and Tammy Alexander, both of whom also went unidentified for decades.
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Tammy Vincent Last Seen
Tammy Vincent was last seen getting into a car with an unnamed man in Seattle.
Tammy Vincent Murdered
Tammy Vincent was murdered, suffering multiple stab wounds and other injuries.
Body Discovered
Joggers found Tammy Vincent's body on a beach in Tiburon, California.
Body Exhumed
Tammy Vincent's body was exhumed for further examination to aid in identification.
Identification Confirmed
DNA testing confirmed the identity of Tammy Vincent after 28 years.
Tammy Vincent Cremated
Tammy Vincent was cremated after her identification was confirmed.
Case Featured on TV
Tammy Vincent's case was featured on America's Most Wanted to raise awareness.
Tammy A. Vincent, a 17-year-old runaway, was murdered in September 1979, with her body discovered on September 26, 1979, in Tiburon, California. Initially unidentified, Vincent was last seen alive on September 10, 1979, in Seattle, Washington, where she had been working as a prostitute after being relocated following a police raid. Her murder was characterized by multiple causes of death, including stabbing, fire, and firearm injuries. Despite extensive investigations, including efforts by the television show America's Most Wanted in collaboration with NCIS cast member Pauley Perrette in 2009, the case remains unsolved, and Vincent's murder is still under active investigation. Significant evidence includes her last known whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding her relocation, which may implicate her former employers in her death.
Tammy Vincent is believed to have potentially been a victim of the Green River killer, given the timeline and her circumstances. There is speculation that her murder may be linked to her cooperation with law enforcement against her employers in a prostitution case, suggesting that her death could have been a retaliatory act. Investigators and the public also theorize that the last man seen with her, described as wearing a leisure suit, may hold crucial information regarding her murder.
The Tragic Case of Tammy Vincent
An Unresolved Murder
Tammy A. Vincent, a spirited young girl from Okanogan County, Washington, met a tragic and violent end in September 1979. Despite the gruesome nature of her death, it would take nearly three decades for her remains to be identified. Her case, filled with twists and turns, remains officially unsolved but continues to intrigue investigators and the public alike. The story of Tammy Vincent is as much about the crime as it is about the relentless pursuit of justice, a pursuit that even caught the attention of NCIS star Pauley Perrette, who collaborated with "America's Most Wanted" in 2009 to try and solve the case.
A Troubled Youth
Born around 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tammy was the daughter of a farmer and lived in Okanogan County, Washington, a rural area about 140 miles northeast of Seattle. Known for her headstrong and adventurous personality, Tammy frequently clashed with her parents during her teenage years. These conflicts often led her to run away for weeks at a time, eventually leading her to leave home permanently in the fall of 1978.
By January 1979, Tammy found herself in a foster home in Spokane, Washington. It wasn't long before she drifted to Seattle, where she became entangled in the world of prostitution. In August of that year, during a vice police raid, Tammy was arrested alongside several others. Seizing an opportunity to escape her situation, she agreed to testify against her employers, five men under investigation for prostitution and racketeering in King County, Washington.
The Dangerous Game
Tammy's decision to cooperate with law enforcement put her life in jeopardy. In an attempt to protect her, authorities moved her from SeaTac to Spokane. However, a lawyer representing the defendants managed to locate her and returned her to the very people she was supposed to testify against. Tammy was last seen in Seattle on September 10, 1979, stepping into a silver Lincoln Continental owned by one of her employers.
Despite a King County Superior Court judge issuing a protective order on September 11, 1979, identifying Tammy as a material witness, she never appeared in court. Her family heard from her one last time that summer when she expressed fear for her life and a desire to return home. Tragically, they never saw or heard from her again.
The Murder
On the morning of September 26, 1979, joggers stumbled upon Tammy's battered and burned body on a beach at Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon, California. The scene was horrifying: gravel embedded in her face suggested she had been knocked down, possibly in a nearby parking lot. Her attacker had used an awl to inflict 43 stab wounds on her chest and back. In a gruesome display, the killer doused her with paint and acetone, setting her on fire and burning her face beyond recognition. Despite the horrific injuries, Tammy managed to run 20 feet across the beach before she was fatally shot in the back of the head.
Witnesses recalled seeing a bonfire on the beach around 3 a.m. and a blue van speeding away from the scene. Investigators found an awl, acetone containers, a can of black paint, and a cigarette lighter at the crime scene. A receipt from a Woolworth's in San Francisco, dated the night before, confirmed the purchase of these items.
The Long Road to Identification
Initially, Tammy's body could not be identified. Examiners determined her eye color, height, weight, and gender, but the severe burns made recognition impossible. Years later, in 2002, her body was exhumed and transported to Richmond, Virginia, for further examination. The Center for Missing and Exploited Children developed a composite image from her skull, a technique used on many unidentified victims.
Finally, in 2007, DNA samples from Tammy's mother and sister matched the remains, providing the long-awaited identification. Due to the condition of her remains, detectives had to use hair from her pubic region for DNA testing, as her head was too severely burned to collect samples. After her identification, Tammy was cremated on August 7, 2007, and her ashes were flown back to her family in Washington by Detective Steve Nash, who had been dedicated to her case since 2001.
A Case Not Forgotten
Tammy Vincent's murder remains unsolved, a haunting reminder of the dangers she faced in her short life. Her story is a testament to the persistence of detectives and advocates who continue to seek justice. Her case has been featured alongside other long-unsolved mysteries, such as the murders of Anjelica Castillo and Tammy Alexander, both of whom also went unidentified for decades.
Sources
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...
Tammy Vincent Last Seen
Tammy Vincent was last seen getting into a car with an unnamed man in Seattle.
Tammy Vincent Murdered
Tammy Vincent was murdered, suffering multiple stab wounds and other injuries.
Body Discovered
Joggers found Tammy Vincent's body on a beach in Tiburon, California.
Body Exhumed
Tammy Vincent's body was exhumed for further examination to aid in identification.
Identification Confirmed
DNA testing confirmed the identity of Tammy Vincent after 28 years.
Tammy Vincent Cremated
Tammy Vincent was cremated after her identification was confirmed.
Case Featured on TV
Tammy Vincent's case was featured on America's Most Wanted to raise awareness.