Cold Case Teen Identified After Nearly 57 Years, But Murder Suspect Vanished

For nearly six decades, cold case investigators were unable to identify a 16-year-old girl who was found dead in a hotel room in the Bay Area. Now, she’s been identified, and police are continuing their search for a suspect.

The Identification

Fox 2 KTVU reported this week that on October 2, 1969, the woman was found in “the St. Louis Hotel in Oakland.” But it’s interesting because nobody came forward and identified her.

Per CBS News, the identification came after “modern forensic tools made it possible to revisit evidence that could not be fully analyzed decades ago.”

The teen in the cold case was identified as Joanne “Joanie” Yvonne Burdick. On Facebook, the Oakland Police Department explained what happened.

Police Statement

The department explained that “FBI investigators located a living relative of Burdick who provided a DNA sample that confirmed Joanie’s identity.”

The family said they were grateful to everyone who helped give Joanie her name and bring them closure.

What Happened

The early investigation revealed that the murder happened in Room 16, and records show that people working at the hotel heard screaming.

However, when police got there about half an hour later, whoever killed her had fled the scene. She’d been beaten and strangled.

Despite recovering clothing and a partial dental plate, investigators were unable to find out who she was.

Detectives have resolved the victim’s identity, but it doesn’t mean the docket has been closed. That’s because they still need to find a suspect. It’s an old case, so there’s a possibility that the killer might not be alive anymore.

A Suspect Disappeared

Later, police did have suspicions that Taylor Morris Teaford might have murdered Joanne “Joanie” Burdick. He was a known fugitive from police with a rap sheet that contained violent crimes.

He was once on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. CBS News reported that he was also named as a suspect in the fatal shooting of his grandmother and the shooting of his sister in Madera County in 1972.

Police heard from witnesses that Joanie Burdick might have been in the company of Teaford shortly before her death.

A warrant for Teaford’s arrest was issued in connection with the Oakland murder, but he disappeared. It’s not known whether he changed his identity and just lived the rest of his life on the run.

Active Investigation

Having identified the teen from the cold case doesn’t mean the police will stop looking for answers. Evidence from the hotel room can still be useful regarding possible clues.

The department’s statement highlighted that “Oakland police continue to review evidence and pursue leads as the case remains active.”

A lot of time has passed, but there might be someone who knows something, so an appeal went out to the public for help.

Anyone who remembers Joanne “Joanie” Burdick from her time in California in the late 1960s, or who holds information regarding Taylor Morris Teaford, is urged to contact the Oakland Police Department Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821 or the Homicide Tip Line at (510) 238-7950.

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