Closure For South Jersey Family 43 Years After Teen Went Missing

SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A South Jersey woman's mind is at peace after her 14-year-old niece was identified 43 years after she went missing.

Judy Gifford has been identified as the victim of a murder that took place in San Francisco, California, the same year she went missing, according to New Jersey State Police.

“I always wondered what happened to her,” the now 86-year-old Ogee Gifford told CBS. “My mind is finally at peace. God rest her soul.”

Ogee Gifford, of Southampton, hadn't changed her phone number since her niece went missing in 1976, always hoping that one day, she would find out what happened. She found out last month, when New Jersey State Police visited with her to tell her Judy Gifford was the victim of a homicide.

Judy Gifford had moved to San Francisco in the summer of 1976 to live with her father, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Her half-brother, William Shin, was six at the time. She went missing later that year.

On Oct. 1, 1976, a man discovered a hand protruding from the sand behind a pumping station in Lake Merced, San Francisco while walking his dog. Detectives in California were able to determine that the hand belonged to a young, Asian girl whose remains were found with distinctive jewelry, including a gold chain and owl pendant necklace, which were found in her pocket.

Her death was ruled a homicide, and for 43 years her remains were unidentified, police said.

Shin remembered having a sister when he was younger. After investigating on his own and consulting with his family, he formally reported his half-sister missing to the San Francisco Police Department. This was in 2017, according to ABC News.

Upon further investigation, police were able to link the remains to the missing girl. San Francisco police learned that Ogee Gifford was still living in Southampton. They then contacted New Jersey State Police to assist with the investigation.

Detectives first visited with Ogee Gifford at her home on June 18, 2019. At that time, they took a DNA sample by buccal swab, and gathered photographs and dental records. They also were able to obtain a picture of Gifford wearing the gold chain and owl pendant that were found in the murder victim’s pocket, police said.

On Nov. 14, 2019, the California Department of Justice announced that Judy Gifford was positively identified as the female victim through DNA and photographs. On Nov. 22, detectives returned to Ogee Gifford’s home to personally inform her that her niece had been the victim of a homicide.

“Although the case remains an active investigation led by the San Francisco Police Department, Ms. Gifford, who has never changed her phone number in case her niece ever called, was brought some closure as a result of the joint effort,” police said.

Anyone with information regarding the disappearance or death of Judy Gifford is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. Tipsters may remain anonymous.