*Use “back button” to return to search results.
*Images related to unsolved cases or unidentified remains may be graphic or otherwise distressing. Use extreme caution before viewing links
- Personal Information
- Demographics
- Possessions
- Location
- Circumstances
- Recovered Remains
- Further Details
- Contact Police
Personal Information
- Photo
- Surname
- Howell
- Given Name
- Brenda Jo
- Alternative Name
- Photo After Aging (Age Progression)
- Status
- Missing
Demographics
- Date of Birth
- August 19, 1943
- Birthplace
- Age
- 12
- Age Group
- Pre-Teen
- Age as of Today
- 79
- Gender
- Female
- Hair Color
- Brunette
- Eye Color
- Brown
- Height (ft'in")
- 4'9
- Height (cm)
- 145
- Height Range
- Weight (lbs)
- 95
- Weight (kg)
- 43
- Weight Range in Pounds
- Build
- Ethnicity
- Caucasian
- Distinguishing Characteristics
- Photo of Distinguishing Feature
-
- Medical
- Physical Abnormality
- Tattoos
- Tattoo Location
- Tattoo Theme
- Tattoo Subject
- Scars & Other Marks
- Piercings
- Shoe Size
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages Spoken
- English
Possessions
- Clothing (Key Word)
- Jacket, Jacket: Grey, Jacket: Patterned, Pants: Blue, Pants: Capri, Ring, Watch
- Clothing (Full Description)
- Aqua "pedal pushers" (capri pants). Gray plaid jacket.
- Possessions / Accessories
- Yellow metal watch. White metal ring.
- Photo of Clothing or Accessories
-
Location
- Address
- San Gabriel Canyon Trail (near Glendora Road)
- City
- Glendora
- Province or State
- California
- Country
- United States
- Postal Code
- 91702
- Latitude
- 34.1692
- Longitude
- -117.9004
Circumstances
- Date of Disappearance
- August 6, 1956
- Notes
- The last sighting of Brenda was on a trail in in the San Gabriel Canyon, close to Glendora Mountain Road. At the time she was riding bicycles with Donald Baker, a boy who lived on the same street in Azusa California as her sister who she was visiting. Investigators searched but were only able to initially find Donald’s jacket and Brenda’s bicycle near Morris Dam. Donald’s bike was eventually found a month later. The initial investigation was slowed because they originally thought the two children ran away. Donald and Brenda are two of several potential victims murdered by serial killer Mack Ray Edwards. Edwards confessed to having targeted, molested, and killed at least 6 children between the years of 1953 to 1970. He was sentenced to death but committed suicide before they could carry out the punishment. Before he died, Edwards stated the number of his victims was actually 18. The victims he confessed to included: Gary Rocha (sometimes spelled Gary Rochet), Donald Allen Todd, Stella Darlene Nolan, Donald Lee Baker, Brenda Jo Howell, and Roger Dale Madison. Donald Baker, Roger Madison, and Thomas Bowman also remain missing. As are Bruce Kremen and Karen Tompkins, two other suspected victims.
- Location of the Disappearance or Crime Scene
- National Park
- Potential Circumstances
- Bicycling, With Others, Multiple Persons Abduction
- Vehicle
- License Plate
- Photo of Vehicle
-
- Suspect
- Man
- Suspect Description
- Mack Ray Edwards
- Photo of Suspect
Recovered Remains
- Date of Recovery
- Time of Death
- Cause of Death
- Description of Recovery
- Recovery of Remains
- Tested Against (No Match)
Further Details
- In-Depth Case Overview:
- Map of Key Locations
- Relevant Media
- See Also
- Donald Lee Baker (Case #2071) Thomas Eldon Bowman (Case #2069) Brenda Jo Howell (Case #2077) Roger Dale Madison (Case #2078) Bruce Kremen (Case #2028) Karen Lynn Tompkins (Case #2079)
- Notice URL
- www.doenetwork.org/cases/2123dfca.html
- Poster(s)
-
- Other Photos
- Case File Photos
Contact Police
- Contact Agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Contact Police (Email)
- Contact Police (Phone)
- (855) 835-5326
- Contact Police (Local)
- 911
- Contact Police (Website)
- tips.fbi.gov/contact
- Alternative Contact
- Crime Stoppers: https://www.crimestoppersusa.org/programs/locate-a-program or try ICMP: icmp@icmp.intNCMEC: (800) 843-5680