Judith Ann Hakari
Born 27/12/1946 – Sacramento
Parents Evelyn and Wilho (Finland). Youngest of 3 grew up at 4532 Sycamore Ave in Northern Sacramento. Directories list Wilho’s profession as maintenance foreman at McClellan Air Force Base
Described as shy and fastidious, at 23 only 5.2” tall, 120 pounds, with dark hair and a fair complexion. As a child she was seriously injured when she was thrown form a horse and needed “Thousands of shots and plastic surgery”. The care she received perhaps got her interested in nursing. In high school she was a candy striper at Sutter.
Graduated from Mira Loma Senior School in 1964. Briefly attended American River Junior College, Judy attended Sac State in the fall of 1965, Presumably, she graduated in 1968/1968.
Started dating Raymond John Willis, a student living at 5425 San Francisco Boulevard, whilst wrapping up her bachelor’s degree in late 1968. Decided to get married in November 1969, although they did not officially become engaged until January. Due to marry in June.
Moved out of parents house after completing state exam to become a nurse, first floor apartment. Her brother and fiancé had reservations that as on ground floor would open her up to trouble. Moved family piano into apartment.
Hours before her disappearance an unfamiliar man in his early twenties, described as red-haired and bearded, of medium build, and roughly 5,7” to 5,9” tall. Reportable showed up at Sutter hospital asking about Judith. Those who knew her called her “Judy”. But as detective noted, there were at least 3 Judith’s working at the hospital that evening.
Also on the night of her abduction a sheriff deputy parked at the intersection of Arden Way and Markson Road noticed two suspicious vehicles parked near Hakari’s apartment . A half an hour after her last comfirmed sighting (12.00am), a brown car with its headlights turned off turned into the Markston Apartments. Shortly afterwards and just one block west, a motorist was nearly struck by a dark blue, 1960-model sedan which sped way at high speed.
March 7, 1970
Working Graveyard shift at Sutter Hospital, Sacramento (F Street, between 51st & 53rd St). Last seen 11.30pm driving on Howe Ave to Alta-Arden by co-worker in her shiny new car. Car was parked in her space in the parking lot on corner of Markson St / Alta-Arden Way (Glendale Ave at the time). Address was 1720 Markston Way. Probably abducted from here as her car was unlocked, door was ajar and the keys were on the dashboard.
Raining heavily that night so could have masked any sounds.
She Phoned her Fiance, Raymond Willis to let him know she was on her way. He waited in her apartment, getting ready for bed. 1.45am he nervously checked parking lot as she had not arrived. Her 1968 Mercury Cougar with light blue body and black top was in its parking space.
2am Willis made 2 phone calls, one to her parents and the second to the sheriff’s office. When Sheriff arrived Willis’s father and brother were helping Willis to search for her.
Investigators found Hakari’s scarf in the cougar, along with buttons from her blue and white polka dot coat on the passenger side of the backseat. They also recovered two strips of Cannon-brand ribbed towel from the back seat. The towels were commonly used in “institutions having a large number of showers” like school gyms and health clubs.
April 25, 1970
Body was found in a shallow grave near Weimar on Ponderosa Way by a couple hiking, looking for an old mine. According to Sacramento Bee body was found in a white canvas laundry bag manufactured specifically for the San Joaquin school district. Under the sack was a grey zip-up sweatshirt with a pocket on either side. Wearing her nurses uniform which was open at the front and her underwear was underneath.
Strangled to death with enough strength to crush the hyoid bones in her neck, her face and head had been bashed by a blunt instrument so that she was un-regonizable. She had not been sexually assaulted. A familiar strip of ribbed towel found loose around her neck indicated Hakari was gagged with the towel, beaten, and then strangled with a nylon stocking. The state of decomposition necessitated conclusive identification by dental records.
Found in the mouth of the Old mine at around 5 pm, by Leonard Theis and Susan Reed, the couple noticed a human knee protruding from a thin layer of dirt, they discovered the partially decomposed body of Hakari.
Theis “ We saw a knee protruding from the dirt between the cabin and the mine, a shaft which goes about five feet into a slope. I thought it was an animal. But I’d never seen an animal with a knee like that. It shook us up, disturbed us quite a bit. We decided to get out of there.
“We were riding back, toward Weimar, when I thought: ‘Was it an animal or not?’ I got worried about it, and decided I had just better call the authorities, just in case.
“So we called the telephone operator in Weimar. She contacted someone and told us to stay at the phone. In a few minutes, a Colfax policeman and a deputy from Placer County arrived. They followed us back.
“A sergeant joined us. The officers got a crowbar and started probing around. We stood back a ways and didn’t actually see what they found, but they told us they had uncovered the rest of the leg and a foot. The sergeant told us the foot was that of a young woman.”
On May 6, 1970, investigators from the Placer and Sacramento County sheriff’s offices announced their search for three persons of interest in Hakari’s murder.
Inspector Ed Reynolds of Sacramento and Lt. Arthur C. Ables of Placer County said that, six days after the disappearance, the owner of the land where the body was buried spotted three young, well-dressed men near a parked car with a partially-popped trunk, digging at the site where Hakari’s remains would eventually be recovered.
The men claimed to be “digging for bottles” when asked. The landowner found this suspicious, as the men were too well-dressed for bottle digging (which apparently is a thing). The witness said the mystery men told him not to touch the car, and shut the trunk to obscure its contents from view when approached.
The departments, working together in search of leads, released a composite of one the three wanted men. If the composite’s to be believed, the rather nondescript suspect was roughly six feet tall and of slender build, with an olive complexion and brown hair.
She has probably been stalked as the killer must have know her car and her swift patterns. Ponderosa way is remote and a long way from Sacramento (1 Hour drive) so the killer must have had previous knowledge of this road.
Now for the possible Zodiac connection. Did you know that Kathleens Shepards husbands (Raymond Alvin Schrecongost) Family who she married 1 month before the LB attack was from Sacramento ? To be exact they lived 1 mile away from the Hakari and Bennallack attacks.
Now for the possible Zodiac connection. Did you know that Kathleens Shepards husbands (Raymond Alvin Schrecongost) Family who she married 1 month before the LB attack was from Sacramento ? To be exact they lived 1 mile away from the Hakari and Bennallack attacks.
Who is Kathleen Shepard?
Now for the possible Zodiac connection. Did you know that Kathleens Shepards husbands (Raymond Alvin Schrecongost) Family who she married 1 month before the LB attack was from Sacramento ? To be exact they lived 1 mile away from the Hakari and Bennallack attacks.
Who is Kathleen Shepard?
Cecelia Shepards sister
Cragle stated: " her face and head had been bashed by a blunt instrument so that she was un-recognizable. She had not been sexually assaulted."
AK Wilks: Did you get this from an autopsy report, police report or newspaper article? Could you send me or post the source? Thanks. Also can you post the source for the description of the bearded man.
Did you or anyone else come across any mention of a 1950’s style American made pick up truck seen near the abduction or burial site?
This graphic shows how close the Bennallack and Hakari apartments were to each other. Police did think, and still do, that the same man likely killed both women.
MODERATOR
Interesting that she was a nurse and had a piano.
Interesting that she was a nurse and had a piano.
wonder if she knew ann lowe or donna lass
This is a great detailed account. Is this only from newspaper clippings or were you able to speak with some people involved. I do not know why I have not seen that exact sketch before as I have not looked at this one as closely, but it is reminiscent of the sketch from the Joyce Gail Walker Case, minus the long chin. See "Special Bulletin" poster at bottom of page 3.
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=2858&start=20
Heres the thing that interesting. I always thought it was reported somewhere that Hikari was sexually assaulted, but as you report, this was not the case. So begs the question; could her underwear found underneath her be considered a "sexual component?" It is believed there was a "sexual component" with the Walker case.
Just to give everyone an over-view of everything as I have not yet seen this done. I drive by this site often and have actually taken some photos of Bennalacks Apartment; however, cannot seem to find them at this point.
I have yet to explore Hakari’s Apartment, but will do so as time permits, but for now, here is a layout:
Now steering away from Bennlack’s Apt Unit and looking over to Hakari’s:
Puts into perspective the athleticism required for Bennallack’s killer to scale into her apartment. I doubt it was some schlub like ALA.
