Henderson, Nev. – The City of Henderson Police Department’s Investigative Division has identified the victim of their 1980 cold case homicide as 17-year-old Tammy Terrell.

On October 5th,1980, at approximately 9:00p.m., Tammy’s body was located by a passing motorist in the desert area near Arroyo Grande Boulevard and Lake Mead Parkway.  

Since the incident, Tammy had only been known as “Jane Arroyo Grande Doe”, as all attempts to identify her to this point had been unsuccessful.  The Clark County Coroner’s Office had ruled her death a homicide.

On November 10, 2021, the City of Henderson Police Department’s Investigative Division received a positive identification confirmation, through the use of investigative genetic genealogy. 

Investigative genetic genealogy is the use of DNA testing to determine relationships between individuals and identify possible relatives of the unidentified victim. Detectives then contact these potential relatives in an attempt to identify family members that have gone missing.

Tammy was last seen at a restaurant in Roswell, New Mexico on the evening of September 28th, 1980, with an unidentified white male adult and white female adult; possibly planning to leave New Mexico for an unknown destination in California.

Due to the fact that this is still an open investigation, no additional details will be released at this time.

This investigation has been ongoing and active throughout the years, involving the continued efforts of many law enforcement partners and investigating individuals who helped make the identification possible; to which include the Henderson Police Department Cold Case Homicide Unit, the Clark County Coroner’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, NamUS Regional Program, Barbara Rae-Venter and Firebird Forensics, Gene by Gene Forensics, Artesia Police Department, Roswell New Mexico Assurance Home, Terry Meurer and the Unsolved Mysteries Team, and the victim’s family.    

Anyone with information in this case is urged to call the Henderson Police Department at 702-267-4750, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or visit Crime Stoppers website. Tips directly leading to a felony arrest, or an indictment processed through Crime Stoppers may result in a cash reward.