Sacto 9-1-1
June 11, 2009
Sacramento PD asks for help in solving 1983 slaying

From Chelsea Phua:

Sacramento police detectives are asking the public's help to solve the cold-case murder of a 19-year-old Redding girl whose body was found in 1983 and remained unidentified for more than two decades until recent DNA results determined who she was.

According to a news release, Elizabeth Nichols died from being physically assaulted and her body was spotted by a passer-by in a drainage canal near Interstate 5 and Del Paso Road on March 4, 1983.

Nichols' mother, Alice Nichols, said her daughter went missing on Feb. 19, 1983.

Authorities said she walked away from a mental hospital in Shasta County.

Alice Nichols said Los Angeles police detectives contacted her two years ago to obtain DNA samples from her because they believed a body they found there might have been her daughter's. The DNA didn't match Elizabeth Nichols but the samples were entered into a DNA database used by law enforcement.

The DNA did match the body of a woman found in Sacramento.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Alert at 916-443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). When texting, enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

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Sacto 9-1-1 is a blog on crime and emergency services news in the Sacramento region.

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