Norma Jean Jay, a 59-year-old substitute schoolteacher and beautician, liked the tranquillity of the desert.
She lived in relative solitude at her home in the 11400 block of South Cherokee Lane, near South Sierrita Mountain Road in the Three Points area west of Tucson, where she enjoyed watching the wildlife that passed through her property, painting and making beaded jewelry.
The quiet life Jay created for herself ceased in July 2006, when she was the victim of what sheriff's officials called a "very violent" homicide. Early the morning of July 17, 2006, a neighbor called 911 to report Jay's manufactured home was on fire. When firefighters extinguished the blaze, they found Jay's nude body lying on her bed. She'd been stabbed repeatedly. The fire likely was set to cover up the homicide.
Status
The murder weapon was found, and Pima County sheriff's investigators know of no motive for the killing.
People are also reading…
Jay's case was reviewed last year, but detectives have no suspects.
Sheriff's spokesman Deputy Jason Ogan said Jay "was at her house with someone familiar to her."
A full DNA profile was collected at the scene of the homicide and that was entered into CODIS - the Combined DNA Index System - a software program linked to a national database of DNA profiles from convicted offenders, evidence from the scenes of unsolved crimes and missing persons. However, there has been no evidence in the database that would identify a suspect.
The chances of solving Jay's case are good, Ogan said, provided investigators get an additional lead, such as a statement from someone who has information about the case or a suspect's DNA showing up in another case.
About the series
The Star will feature some of the Tucson-area violent crimes that remain unsolved - sometimes many years later.
Anyone with information is urged to call 88-CRIME. Tips also can be submitted online at www.88crime.org; or by text message at 274637, then enter tip259 plus your text message.
Contact reporter Kimberly Matas at kmatas@azstarnet.com or at 573-4191 if you have been a victim of an unsolved crime or if you are related to a victim.
