Spokane’s Unsolved Murders
Unpublished correction: The body of JoAnn Flores was found on Nov. 7, 1996. The date was incorrect in the published text.
A four-detective task force is investigating the unsolved murders of 18 Spokane-area women since 1984. Many of the victims lived similar lifestyles. Investigators have attributed the four most recent slayings to a serial killer. They suspect three women found dead in 1990 were killed by the same person or persons, but they have not tied those cases to the most recent victims. The following list was compiled from Spokesman-Review archives.
DEBBI K. FINNERN
Age: 30
Body Found: June 22, 1984 in the 1800 block of East Front.
Cause of death: Stabbing.
Background: History of prostitution.
RUBY JEAN DOSS
Age: 27
Body found: Jan. 30, 1986 in a field near Fiske and Ferry.
Cause of death: Strangulation and blow to head.
Background: Michigan native suspected of prostitution in Spokane area.
MARY ANN TURNER
Age: 30
Body found: Nov. 4, 1986 next to a garage at 100 S. Ivory.
Cause of death: Strangulation.
Background: California native with criminal convictions for prostitution.
YOLANDA A. SAPP
Age: 26
Body found: Feb. 22, 1990 along the Spokane River bank near the 4100 block of East Upriver Drive.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound to the upper body.
Background: Heroin addict with history of arrests for theft, drug possession and prostitution.
NICKIE I. LOWE
Age: 34
Body found: March 25, 1990 under the Greene Street Bridge.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound to the upper body.
Background: Heroin addict.
KATHY BRISBOIS
Age: 38
Body found: May 15, 1990 on the banks of the Spokane River near Trent and Pines.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound to the upper body.
Background: Millwood native who was addicted to heroin and had been arrested for prostitution and drug possession.
SHERRY A. PALMER
Age: 19
Body found: May 12, 1992 near Bill Gulch Road and Mount Spokane Drive.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound to the chest.
Background: Spokane native with a history of drug use and arrests for prostitution.
JoANN FLORES
Age: 32
Body found: Jan. 7, 1996 in an alley in the 200 block of W. Riverside.
Cause of death: Not disclosed.
Background: Had several convictions on drug charges and was thought to be homeless at the time of her death.
DONNA LYNN HARRIS
Age: 40
Body found: April 7, 1996 along some railroad tracks near Trent and Fiske.
Cause of death: Slashed throat.
Background: The Montana native with arrests theft arrived in Spokane only days before her death.
SHANNON ZIELINSKI
Age: 38
Body found: June 14, 1996 near Holcomb Road and Mount Spokane Drive.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound.
Background: An Ione, Wash., native with a history of drug and theft arrests.
JENNIFER A. JOSEPH
Age: 16
Body found: Aug. 26, 1997 near Forker and Judkins roads.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound to chest.
Background: a Spanaway, Wash., native with a history of prostitution and drug use.
DARLA SUE SCOTT
Age: 29
Body found: nov. 5, 1997 near the Hangman Valley Golf Course.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound.
Background: History of arrests for drugs and prostitution.
MARGARET M. ANSELMO
Age: 45
Body found: Jan. 3, 1997 in an alley near Pacific and First.
Cause of death: Head injuries.
Background: Spokane native who worked as a floral designer.
HEATHER L. HERNANDEZ
Age: 20
Body found: Aug. 26, 1997 in overgrown lot behind 1800 E. Springfield.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound.
Background: Short-time Spokane resident with history of prostitution arrests.
TERESALYN MARIE ASMUSSEN
Age: 22
Body found: Oct. 17, 1997 floating in Spokane River near Post Street dam.
Cause of death: Blunt trauma to head.
Background: Spokane native with history of drug and prostitution arrests.
SHAWN L. JOHNSON
Age: 36
Body found: Dec. 18, 1997 in the 12600 block of South Hangman Valley Road.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound.
Background: Deer Park resident with drug arrests, known to associate with prostitutes.
LAURIE ANN WASON
Age: 31
Body found: Dec. 26, 1997 in overgrown gravel pit near 14th and Carnahan.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound.
Background: Resident of the Tri-Cities who was addicted to heroin and worked as a prostitute.
SHAWN A. McCLENAHAN
Age: 39
Body found: Dec. 26, 1997 in overgrown gravel pit near 14th and Carnahan.
Cause of death: Gunshot wound to head.
Background: Spokane native who was addicted to heroin and worked as a prostitute.
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