On February 3, 1981, the body of an unidentified Black/African American female was discovered lying on a grassy access road in the Japanese Gardens on Watson Island in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Investigators determined that she had died after being struck and run over by a vehicle in a hit-and-run. Evidence at the scene indicated that the driver ran over her twice, crushing her skull and causing extensive drag injuries. The amount of blood at the scene suggested the collision occurred where she was found.

She was barefoot and partially clothed from the waist down. Her blue “Chic” jeans, which had the words “Wet Dreams” bleached onto a back pocket, and her black-and-brown Town & Country high heels were recovered separately elsewhere on Watson Island, suggesting they may have been thrown from the vehicle.

Complicating the investigation, the original case file has reportedly been lost.

A newspaper article published the day after the discovery reported that an autopsy suggested she may have been beaten before the collision, but this has never been confirmed in later official records and may have been difficult to determine because of the catastrophic head injuries.

**Physical Description**  
• Black/African American female.  
• Estimated age has varied over the years:   
Initially: 15–20 years  
Later: 12–26 years  
Most recent estimate (2016): 14–16 years  
NCMEC currently estimates 12–18 years.  
• Approximately 5’2” (157 cm) tall.  
• Approximately 90 lbs (41 kg).  
• Brown eyes.  
• Medium-length black/brown kinky or curly hair with bleached blonde streaks.  
• Gap between her front teeth.  
• Arched or styled eyebrows, possibly penciled in.  
• Scars on her neck.

**Clothing**  
• A white bra.  
• Bikini-style underwear printed with the phrase “Rest Area Visitors Welcome.”

Recovered nearby but not on her body:  
• A white or beige blouse.  
• Blue Chic jeans with “Wet Dreams” bleached onto a back pocket.  
• Black-and-brown Town & Country high heels.

More than four decades later, despite the unusual circumstances and distinctive clothing, her identity remains unknown.

**NamUs**  
[https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/7963/details?nav](https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/7963/details?nav)

Japanese Gardens Jane Doe (1981)