Maritza Glean Grimmett identified after decades as Jane Doe

In the United States, a significant breakthrough occurred in the case of Maritza Glean Grimmett, who was found dead in a Lake Forest culvert in 1983. For four decades, her identity remained unknown, leaving her family and friends with unanswered questions about her disappearance. Initially, Maritza was referred to simply as Jane Doe. As time passed, however, investigators made progress in uncovering leads about her case, identifying two persons of interest: her ex-husband Howard Grimmett and his current wife, Isabel "Terry" Cruz-Grimmett. The renewed investigation was spurred by a relative who suggested using social media to share Maritza's forensic rendering, which ultimately led to new information from a woman who believed the photographs might represent her missing mother. This direction proved fruitful, and by March 2024, law enforcement confirmed Maritza's identity as a Panamanian native who had emigrated to the United States in 1978. Following her marriage to Howard Grimmett, the couple lived in Tennessee before undergoing divorce proceedings in 1979. The circumstances surrounding Maritza's last known actions remain elusive. After informing her sister of her intention to travel to California, her family lost all contact with her. Investigators are now focused on uncovering the timeline of her life leading up to her tragic death, including whether she was seen at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, where many military personnel may have encountered her between late 1979 and April 1983. As Maritza's case emerges from the shadows of anonymity, it highlights the challenges faced by cold case investigators and the importance of community engagement in solving long-standing mysteries. The identification of Maritza Glean Grimmett not only provides closure to her family, but it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for collaboration between law enforcement and the public in addressing unsolved cases. Investigators continue to seek information from anyone who may have known Maritza or seen her before her disappearance, hoping to finally piece together the events leading to her murder.