Maureen Maher

Jane had told her parents she'd be leaving Ann Arbor around 6 p.m. They expected her to arrive home around 9.30. As the time ticked by and Jane didn't show up, her father grew concerned. Finally, around 11 p.m., he simply couldn't wait around anymore.

Sometime that night, Jane was killed. Jane Mixer's body ended up here in an old out-of-the-way cemetery 14 miles from Ann Arbor. Her killer left her out in the open, atop a grave, just steps from the gate. It wasn't until the next morning that a woman in a nearby home noticed the body and called police.

Sometime that night, Jane was killed. Jane Mixer's body ended up here in an old out-of-the-way cemetery 14 miles from Ann Arbor. Her killer left her out in the open, atop a grave, just steps from the gate. It wasn't until the next morning that a woman in a nearby home noticed the body and called police.

Sometime that night, Jane was killed. Jane Mixer's body ended up here in an old out-of-the-way cemetery 14 miles from Ann Arbor. Her killer left her out in the open, atop a grave, just steps from the gate. It wasn't until the next morning that a woman in a nearby home noticed the body and called police.

Detective Donald Bennett, now retired, was sent to investigate.

Detective Donald Bennett, now retired, was sent to investigate.

Detective Donald Bennett, now retired, was sent to investigate.

There was no apparent sexual assaults, but Jane's pantyhose had been pulled down. During the autopsy, Bennett scraped a single drop of blood off Jane's left hand.

There was no apparent sexual assaults, but Jane's pantyhose had been pulled down. During the autopsy, Bennett scraped a single drop of blood off Jane's left hand.

There was no apparent sexual assaults, but Jane's pantyhose had been pulled down. During the autopsy, Bennett scraped a single drop of blood off Jane's left hand.

Three decades later, that tiny drop of blood would become a controversial piece of evidence. But back in 1969, there was little the police could do with that. So they searched for other clues. On the night of the murder, a green station wagon was seen careening away from the cemetery, but that was never tracked down.

Three decades later, that tiny drop of blood would become a controversial piece of evidence. But back in 1969, there was little the police could do with that. So they searched for other clues. On the night of the murder, a green station wagon was seen careening away from the cemetery, but that was never tracked down.

Three decades later, that tiny drop of blood would become a controversial piece of evidence. But back in 1969, there was little the police could do with that. So they searched for other clues. On the night of the murder, a green station wagon was seen careening away from the cemetery, but that was never tracked down.

Police searched Jane's dorm room and found a phone book that had a mark next to the name, David Johnson. But that David Johnson, a University of Michigan student, had an ironclad alibi. He was acting on stage the night of the murder and said he never offered Jane a ride. The cops checked out other David Johnsons in the area, as well as Jane's acquaintances, including her fiancé.

Police searched Jane's dorm room and found a phone book that had a mark next to the name, David Johnson. But that David Johnson, a University of Michigan student, had an ironclad alibi. He was acting on stage the night of the murder and said he never offered Jane a ride. The cops checked out other David Johnsons in the area, as well as Jane's acquaintances, including her fiancé.

Police searched Jane's dorm room and found a phone book that had a mark next to the name, David Johnson. But that David Johnson, a University of Michigan student, had an ironclad alibi. He was acting on stage the night of the murder and said he never offered Jane a ride. The cops checked out other David Johnsons in the area, as well as Jane's acquaintances, including her fiancé.

Police were stymied and concerned. This crime seemed to fit a disturbing pattern. Jane Mixer was the third young woman in the area to turn up dead in the past two years. And four days later, the pace picked up when a fourth body was found. By the end of July, there were seven victims. Most were brutalized before they were killed.

Police were stymied and concerned. This crime seemed to fit a disturbing pattern. Jane Mixer was the third young woman in the area to turn up dead in the past two years. And four days later, the pace picked up when a fourth body was found. By the end of July, there were seven victims. Most were brutalized before they were killed.

Police were stymied and concerned. This crime seemed to fit a disturbing pattern. Jane Mixer was the third young woman in the area to turn up dead in the past two years. And four days later, the pace picked up when a fourth body was found. By the end of July, there were seven victims. Most were brutalized before they were killed.

This is one of the better maps of where each of the murder victims have been found. Her latest book is about serial killers. Back in 1969, she was living near Ann Arbor.