On May 18, 1979, the body of Donna Baker was found in a vacant lot in San Antonio, TX. At the time of her death, Donna was 21 years old, working at a computer firm, and living in an apartment. She was a bright, beautiful young lady and had recently been selected as a cheerleader for a semi-professional football team.
Donna was killed by a gunshot wound in the back; a muzzle impression on her skin indicated the shooting was done at point blank range. She had abrasions on her side and face. Her jeans were torn at the knee and hip. The only personal effects found at the scene were a watch and two gold chains. When her car was located some distance away, the ignition keys and her purse were found in the car.
Donna was found in this parking lot (used to be a field) at the intersection of Morocco and Desert Sands.
Path taken by suspect.
Police believe that the suspect lived less than one mile from the crime scene.
Donna was last seen alive at a popular nightclub on the night of her death, the night before her body was discovered. She was with a girlfriend, but during the evening ran into an old boyfriend at the club. She hadn't seen him for a year, but he had fathered her baby in 1975, a baby she reluctantly gave up for adoption. She had been deeply in love with this young man since early 1975, but in 1976 some serious problems developed. Donna filed a report with the police stating that he had broken into her apartment, hit her, and told her he could give her a karate blow that would kill her. The relationship continued to be stormy until she began a new relationship in 1977, which continued for a year. It is not believed that Donna saw the father of her baby for the entire last year of her life, until the night of her death, when she encountered him in the nightclub.
Donna's Mom and Brother speak with a volunteer
from Unsolved Crimes.
Reports indicate that after Donna returned home from the club she got ready for bed. Then, for unknown reasons, dressed again quickly and left her apartment in her car. The location where she was shot has not been determined. Her body was dragged across the vacant lot where she was later found.
At the foot of Donna's mother's bed sat the above trunk. Inside was a bloody watch given back to the mother by police. DNA wasn't in until 1988.
In 1997, 18 years after their daughter's death, Donna's parents called UNSOLVED CRIMES for help. We have obtained substantial evidence and have brought this case back to the attention of the police and the public. We will solve this case. If you have any information that may help us in any way, please e-mail us at gumshoes@unsolvedcrimes.com or write to us at:
If you have any information that may help us in any way, please fax us at 210-828-4867 or write to us at:
Unsolved Crimes
PMB #144
6338 N. New Braunfels
San Antonio, Texas 78209