Orange County Sheriff’s investigators are seeking new leads in the decades-old murder of Maritza Glean Grimmett, a Panamanian woman whose body was discovered in a Lake Forest culvert in 1983. For 40 years, her identity remained a mystery, and she was only known as Jane Doe—until a breakthrough in 2023 finally brought her name and story back to light.
The Breakthrough in a 40-Year-Old Cold Case
Thanks to advancements in forensic technology, including investigative genealogy and forensic renderings, investigators were able to identify a distant genetic relative of Maritza in 2023.
A key moment came when the relative suggested sharing Maritza’s forensic sketch on a Facebook group dedicated to identifying missing women from the 1970s and 1980s. Just a month later, a woman reached out to authorities, believing the photos resembled her missing mother.
By March 2024, DNA testing confirmed the woman’s identity as Maritza Glean Grimmett, finally solving the mystery of Jane Doe after four decades.
The Life of Maritza Grimmett Before Her Disappearance
Maritza, originally from Panama, married Howard Grimmett, a U.S. Marine, in 1978. The couple had a daughter the same year and soon moved to the United States, living first in Ohio and later in Tennessee.
However, by 1979, their marriage began to fall apart, and divorce proceedings started. After the separation:
- Howard relocated to California and eventually married Isabel “Terry” Cruz-Grimmett.
- Maritza reportedly stayed behind in Tennessee but told her sister she planned to travel to California.
- Her family never heard from her again.
Persons of Interest in the Case
Investigators have now identified two persons of interest:
- Howard Grimmett – Maritza’s ex-husband, who moved to California after their separation.
- Isabel “Terry” Cruz-Grimmett – Howard’s current wife at the time of Maritza’s disappearance.
While no charges have been filed, investigators are keen to learn more about their potential involvement, especially considering the timeline of Maritza’s last known whereabouts.
Unanswered Questions in Maritza’s Case
Authorities are still working to determine:
- How and when Maritza traveled from Tennessee to California.
- Whether anyone saw her at the now-closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station between late 1979 and April 1983.
- Who was responsible for her death and how her body ended up in Lake Forest.
Investigators believe former military service members stationed at El Toro during that time might hold crucial information that could help close the case.
How You Can Help
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Cold Case Homicide Team is urging anyone with information to come forward. Even small details could help solve this decades-old mystery.
- Phone: Call the cold case team at (714) 647-7055
- Email: Send tips to [email protected]
- Anonymous Tips: Contact OC Crime Stoppers at (855) 847-6227 or visit occrimestoppers.org
A Family’s Long-Awaited Closure
For Maritza’s family, especially her daughter who grew up without answers, this identification marks both a tragic revelation and a step toward closure. After 40 years, the hope now lies in finding justice and understanding what truly happened during those missing years.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to uncovering the full story behind Maritza Glean Grimmett’s untimely death.
