Photos: The murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Eight-year-old Marguerita Bejarano was kidnapped in Tucson in 1961. She one of four known murders committed by a Cozzie Jones, an escaped convict from Indiana.
Jones was sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison of a ruptured aorta at age 55.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Mortuary attendants carry the blanket-draped body of Marguerits Bejarano from the spot under a Casa Grande Highway bridge where she was found in March, 1961. At left rear are city poliece Sgt. Jimmy Adcock and Pima County Sheriff Waldon V. Burr (in hat), among first investigators at the death scene. Uniformed officer at right is a highway patrolman.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
The body of murdered Marguerita Bejarano, 8, was found under this bridge which carries the Casa Grande Highway over Canada del Oro in March, 1961.
Marguerita Bejarano
Marguerita Bejarano, murdered 8-year-old, in 1961.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Searchers scour Dead Man's Gulch just south of slain 8-year-old Marguerita Bejarano's home, but failed to turn up any new clues.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Police look for clues under the Casa Grande Highway bridge where the body of 8-year-old Marguerita Bejarano was found.Â
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Richard H Zschech (left), police identification officer, and Sgt. Jmaes Helper examine plaster casts being made of heel marks found near the body of Marguerita Bejarano.Â
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Mrs. Lazaro Bejarano, mother of missing 8-year-old Marguerita, waits at home with her other three children, all boys, (Left to right) Michael, 4; Luis, 17 months, and Ernest, 3, in 1961.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Only vaguely disturbed by the tragedy that came to their home, two of the three brothers of slain Marguerita Bejarano eat their supper. Carmen Bejarano, sister-in-law of Marguerita's father, helps 17-month-old Luis while Ernest, 3, makes out for himself. The third boy, Michael, was in another room. Photo taken in March, 1961.
Funeral for Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Mrs. Lazaro Bejarano had to be supported by her mother at gravesite of her slain daughter, Marguerita.
Funeral for Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Rev. Patrick O' Reilly sprinkes holy water on the casket of 8-year-old Marguerita Bejarano at her gravesite at Babyland of Holy Hope Cemetery.
Funeral for Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Mrs. Lazaro Bejarano had to be supported by her mother and husband when she collapsed after being given a last gravesite glimpse of her slain daughter, Marguerita.
Funeral for Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Eight-year-old Marguerita Bejarano is laid to rest at Babyland of Holy Hope Cemetery.
Funeral for Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Eight-year-old Marguerita Bejarano is laid to rest at Babyland of Holy Hope Cemetery.
Funeral for Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Eight-year-old Marguerita Bejarano is laid to rest at Babyland of Holy Hope Cemetery.
Funeral for Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Mrs. Lazaro Bejarano had to be supported by her mother after being given a last gravesite glimpse of her slain 8-year-old daughter, Marguerita.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Cozzie Jones with Sheriff Waldon V. Burr of Pima County at the scene where he said he shot Marguerita Bajarano.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Cozzie Merrill Jones during his reenactment for the authorities on December 13, 1962.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Cozzie Merrill Jones, with Pima County Sheriff Waldon Burr, reenacts the murder for the authorities on December 13, 1962.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Cozzie Merrill Jones reenacts the murder for the authorities on December 13, 1962.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Cozzie Merrill Jones reenacts the murder for authorities on December 13, 1962.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Cozzie Merrill Jones enters Pima County Court in March, 1968. He pled guilty to the murder of Marguerita Bejarano.
Murder of Marguerita Bejarano in 1961
Cozzie Merrill Jones in Pima County Justice Court in 1967.
Arizona Daily Star / Tucson Citizen
Newspaper article on the murder of Marguerita Bejarano in Tucson in 1961.
Arizona Daily Star / Tucson Citizen
Newspaper article on the murder of Marguerita Bejarano in Tucson in 1961.
Arizona Daily Star / Tucson Citizen
Newspaper article on the murder of Marguerita Bejarano in Tucson in 1961.
Arizona Daily Star / Tucson Citizen
Newspaper article on the murder of Marguerita Bejarano in Tucson in 1961.
Arizona Daily Star / Tucson Citizen
Newspaper article on the murder of Marguerita Bejarano in Tucson in 1961.
Arizona Daily Star / Tucson Citizen
Newspaper article on the murder of Marguerita Bejarano in Tucson in 1961.
Arizona Daily Star / Tucson Citizen
Newspaper article on the murder of Marguerita Bejarano in Tucson in 1961.
Arizona Daily Star / Tucson Citizen
Newspaper article on the murder of Marguerita Bejarano in Tucson in 1961.
Arizona Daily Star / Tucson Citizen
Newspaper article on the murder of Marguerita Bejarano in Tucson in 1961.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Marguerita Bejarano was eight years old in March, 1961 when she accepted a ride from Cozzie Merrill Jones while walking to Roosevelt Elementar…