Ah, so it is "Teresa" as written in RG, not "Theresa" .

Thank you for posting this, Seagull. Should help to pin down some articles…

Was she a "Nurse’s Aid" or was it someone in her family? Interesting if she was a nurse, like Lass and Hakari…

Teresa was a nurses aide in the convalescent home. Her mother worked there, too. As I recall the friend who contacted me also worked there and that is how she knew Teresa.

Hmm,thanks for the info Seagull.Today, it just so happens I read about an old Yolo county case,and I already forgot the details…. I guess I am getting old

if anyone finds themselves at a Yolo County public library, at least one article was published in the Merced Sun-Star:

No Leads In Death Of Woman .
‎
Merced Sun-Star – Mar 13, 1979
SACRAMENTO "Yolo County detectives said Monday they have no leads in the death of 19-year-old Teresa’ Jean Matthews of Novato, whose body was found …

Unfortunately, the MSS hasn’t digitally-archived their papers (prior to 2009?), at least, in any easily-accessible way.

But seeing that she lived in Novato, I will check the Marin County libraries.

From the local Fair Oaks East Yolo Record March 14, 1979:

I’m new to this site. But I have been working on solving Teresa Matthew’s murder myself. I have a suspect in mind who is not the Zodiac. I have copies of old newspaper articles and can share info if anyone wants it. I worked with Teresa back in the 1970’s.

Welcome Houseofsims, look forward to hearing what you have to say. I am not personally familiar with the Matthews case, and what makes her a possible z victim, but if you have a suspect in her murder, what makes you think he is not zodiac?

HouseOfSims,
Yes, we’d love to hear and see whatever you got!
Let us know if you need help posting any articles.

Hi, I found a few newspaper articles last year. Most I only took notes on because my library’s microfilm machine failed to communicate with the printer. Here’s what I have:
1) Independent Journal, Marin Co, CA, March 12, 1979: "Girl From Novato is Found Strangled"
Teresa Jean Matthews of Novato was found along a levee of the Sacramento River along State Highway 16. Found by elderly man looking for recyclable bottles. Naked. Autopsy indicated she was strangled. This article says there was evidence that Teresa struggled with her attacker and there was evidence of sexual intercourse. They didn’t use the word "rape". No clothes nearby. Also missing was a green knapsack she usually carried. This story says Teresa last spoke with her mother on March 5th by phone from L.A. Teresa attended San Marin H.S. The article also published the names of Teresa’s siblings and parents, as well as her mother’s address at the time.
NOTE: I worked for a while with both Teresa and her mom Hazel Matthews. At the time of her death I was no longer a co-worker of either. I did meet Hazel some months later and we spoke about Teresa. I know it’s many years later but I remembered over the years that Hazel said Teresa called her from a phone booth close to home. She said Teresa told her she’d be home in about 30 minutes and yet she was found several hours’ drive away.
2) The Daily Democrat, Woodland, CA, Monday March 12, 1979: Title of article not in my notes. Cause of death was not known at time of article. This article says Teresa was struck in the face and she sustained a small wound on her right hand. I made a note thinking it could be a defense wound, but I don’t believe it was stated in the article as such. Other facts mostly match above story.
3) The Daily Democrat, March 13, 1979. Title of article not in my notes. This article says Teresa was strangled. A witness claims to have seen Teresa on West Capitol Avenue on the Monday before her death, even though her mom says Teresa claimed she was in LA.
4) The Daily Democrat, March 15, 1979: Title of article is not in my notes. A woman claimed she saw a distinctive car driving past Teresa’s dump site. The driver was later questioned and released. The gender and name of the driver are not given. This article affirms Teresa was strangled but says she was not raped.
5) The Sacramento Bee, March 11, 1979: "Young Woman Murder Victim in Bryte Area". This article said Teresa was unidentified at the time. They originally thought she was shot. Why? The article doesn’t say. This is the only article that says there were bite marks on the body. Another interesting point is Sheriff Stan Rommel said they planned to use fingerprints to identify the body.
6) Sacramento Bee, March 12, 1979 "Loner Novato Teen Found Dead Near River". There is a good photo of Teresa. It’s the same one already on this site. This article says she was strangled and struck in the face. Hazel Matthews said her daughter often camped in wooded areas and beaches. This is the first time I learned that Teresa suffered from mental depressive episodes. Hazel described Teresa as a loner. I do recall Teresa brooded a lot and rarely engaged in conversation with her co-workers. Hazel said Teresa called several times between March 2 & 5. Teresa said she was heading North, but she didn’t plan to return home. This article says Teresa was hospitalized for about 2 years for her depression in Marin General Hospital in 1977. She also spent a year at a place called Greenhouse in San Francisco. It’s a halfway house for people with mental problems.
7) The Sacramento Bee. March 22, 1979. "Marin County Woman’s Slaying On the Bee’s Witness List" The newspaper apparently had a fund for victims to entice readers to call with tips. The program was called The Bee Secret Witness Program. They posted a $25,000 reward for info about Teresa. This article says Teresa was beaten and strangled elsewhere and then dumped. Teresa’s family said Teresa was known to take off for days or weeks at a time.
That is all I have. I do have a suspect other than the Zodiac. Last year I spoke with a Detective Young in Yolo County, CA and gave him my info. I also contacted Teresa’s sister and offered her the same info. I urged her to contact the detective and have the cold case opened. I don’t know what happened and he never returned my subsequent phone calls. I never learned his first name. either. My suspect’s family refused to give my any information about him in the years since I knew him. Oddly, he died 3 years ago using a different surname than the one he used 40 years ago.

Thank you for posting all the information! We certainly have a better idea of who Teresa was and how she died. So very sad.

Thank you for posting all the information! We certainly have a better idea of who Teresa was and how she died. So very sad.

I agree, thanks for all of the info

yes, indeed! and now I know what date to look for the Marin IJ article! thanks so much for posting!

Thank you Houseofsims & Welcome,
Always interesting when someone is semi connected to a case.
This one is indeed sad.
Zam*

Thank you for sharing your information with us. I saved all of Seagulls emails she has sent to me about Teresa and have given them to her. We will do what ever we can to help you, glad to have you with us. Being that the suspect has died, you can let Seagull know his name if you haven’t told her already. She can find out things about him perhaps any arrest he may have had ? Myself and others are interested in not only Zodiac related crimes , but any other unsolved murders.