Crime stoppers

When and Where: April 9, 1982, in the desert near North Craycroft and East Pinchot roads.

Investigator: Pima County Sheriff's Department Detective James Gamber of the cold case unit.

Summary: Carabetta, a sophomore at Sahuaro High School, was found partially clothed, face down in the dirt by two women who were taking a walk in a "lover's lane" area shortly before 8 a.m. She had been beaten to death with a rock and had her hands tied behind her back, according to a Pima County Sheriff's Department report.

Detectives determined that the night before, Carabetta's mother had gone to work, leaving the girl alone for several hours, the report said.

Carabetta's boyfriend went to the home during that time and remained there until about 11 p.m. when a friend picked him up, the report said.

Carabetta's mother told police she spoke with her daughter sometime before she got off work and said Carabetta was planning on going to bed, the report said. When her mother arrived home at about1:30 a.m., she found the door wide open and the family dog outside.

She searched for Carabetta inside the house and around the neighborhood but found nothing, according to the report.

Carabetta's mother called police to report her daughter missing, but because 24 hours hadn't passed, she was told she could only be reported as a runaway, the report said. Knowing that her daughter hadn't run away, she began calling friends in an effort to track Carabetta down.

The Latest Information: Since Carabetta's death more than two decades ago, detectives have interviewed several people — some more than once — and collected DNA samples from each of them, according to the report.

Some witnesses have also been given lie detector tests.

In 1987, a sheriff's deputy created a profile of both the victim and the suspect in which he concluded that Carabetta likely was preparing for bed when someone she knew came to the door. The deputy could not determine if she was taken by force or if she went of her own will. The profile went on to say the suspect is likely a "spurned lover."

Most recently in January, the Sheriff's Department sent evidence, which includes the cord used to tie Carabetta's hands, her shirt and underwear, to a lab for testing. Results are still pending and investigators are hoping this will help build a DNA profile of the suspect.

How You Can Help: Contact Gamber at 351-4862. Or call 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line of the Pima County Attorney's Office.

Alexis Huicochea

More info sought in '82 beating death of girl, 15

Crime Stoppers