"There is no doubt she was murdered," stated the late Sheriff Art Everson in a newspaper account at the time. A half a century later, we still don't know who the woman was, and her murderer has never been found.

After extensive publicity failed to bring forward any family members, the city consigned the victim to a pauper's grave. When the Camera published the announcement, local residents were outraged. They wanted something better for their "mystery girl," and they pooled their resources for a burial plot and funeral.

As fund-raising progressed, the Camera published the growing list of donors. They included men and women, young and old, and were from various walks of life. There was Francis Gilmore, an ombudsman of sorts for naval hospitals. Another was Boulder police officer Edward Godfrey, who moonlighted as a highway construction worker.

Elvina and A.W. Korte owned a furniture store, Mary Weber was a clerk-typist and Susan Joyce was famous for her hand-made braided rugs. Electrician Steve Pospahala sent a contribution, as did investment company owner Francis Tobin. Along with a check from Viola Curry was a note that read, "Blessings on the small cluster of those who care."

Howe Mortuary donated an expensive casket, and the Rev. Paul Fife, of Sacred Heart Church, conducted the funeral service.

The solemn group of mourners assembled in the original Howe Mortuary Chapel, with its entrance on Spruce Street. "The services were simple," stated a reporter, "restoring in death the dignity her murderer destroyed in the last violent moments of her life."

The attendees then followed in their cars as the broken body, known only as "Jane Doe," was driven in a Cadillac hearse to her freshly dug grave. Before she was lowered into the ground, her casket was covered with colorful sprays of donated lilies and roses. One of the accompanying flower cards was inscribed, "To Someone's Daughter."

A few weeks later, Boulder Marble and Granite Works engraved and donated the headstone, which read, "Jane Doe, April 1954, age about 20 years."

People still care about Jane Doe. Current technology has made it possible to compare the DNA of a deceased person with DNA from potential relatives. In early February, Sheriff Joe Pelle announced the reopening of the Jane Doe case, pending private and in-kind donations for exhumation, DNA analysis and facial reconstruction. The fund drive is ongoing, and an offer of pro bono forensic expertise has been made. Tax-deductible donations have topped $3,000.

The murder victim had everything, except her hair pins, taken from her. Hopefully, through the compassion of the people of Boulder, Jane Doe will be given back her name and perhaps even returned to her family.

Fifty years ago, Coroner George Howe stated, "We don't know who she was or what religion she followed. We can only do what we think is right."