48 HOURS MYSTERY

This weekend promises to deliver some interesting must see television shows, including CBS's 48 Hours Mystery which is airing an episode entitled "The Girl Next Door". The case follows the 2003 discovery of a female teenager's body found in a trash bag behind a California restaurant, highlighting how a forensic sculptor helped put a face to the victim, and a tip that lead investigators to Mexico where they discovered the identity of the teenager.

On the night of May 1, 2003, a teenage girl’s body was found in a trash bag left behind a restaurant in peaceful Castro Valley, Calif. The gruesome discovery became one detective’s obsession and touched the entire community, which came to call the young girl “Castro Valley’s Jane Doe.”



With no identity, the chances of tracking down Jane Doe’s killer were slim. Following countless leads, police eventually turned to forensic sculptor Gloria Nusse who embarked on an incredible effort over several weeks, to recreate Jane Doe’s face. Armed with this lifelike construction, police hoped to track down the victim’s identity, an effort that was fruitless, until suddenly the tide turned.



After the relentless efforts of the authorities and the local community, and a tip after a 48 Hours broadcast, police finally caught a break that led them to Yahualica, Mexico, a bereaved mother and a potential suspect.



Now, knowing the identity of their beloved Jane Doe, will police find their killer, and close the case that has haunted them for five years?



Harold Dow reports 48 HOURS MYSTERY: "The Girl Next Door," on Saturday, Dec. 15 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)** on the CBS Television Network. This broadcast is produced by Clare Friedland. Judy Tygard is the senior producer, Al Briganti is the executive editor and Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer.

For a preview of the show, you can check out a video on it, and for more information on this case and others- please check out the 48 Hours website.