Police seek clues in homicide

The remains of Valerie Jones, left, were found Jan. 6, 2000.

The remains of Valerie Jones, left, were found Jan. 6, 2000.

Toledo police are seeking information through the Crime Stopper program about the still-unsolved homicide of Valerie Jones, a 38-year-old grandmother whose skeletal remains were found Jan. 6, 2000, near the Ottawa River and Hoffman Road landfill.

Ms. Jones, who disappeared the previous September, had been living on Fassett Street and had a history of working as a prostitute and using drugs, police said.

Though they never were able to solve Ms. Jones' murder, the investigation into her death ultimately led to the discovery of the bodies in Michigan of Felita Thomas, 36, and Yvonne Mipe, 43. Two men later were convicted in the deaths of Ms. Mipe and Ms. Thomas, who also were known to work as prostitutes.

Debra Dixon's body was found Dec. 24, 1999.

Still, police made no official links between the Michigan murders and the death of Ms. Jones. Police at the time also were investigating the death of Debra Dixon, 44, whose severely burned and battered body was found Dec. 24, 1999, in an empty wooded lot along the 4200 block of Creekside Avenue in North Toledo. That case also remains unsolved.

Anyone with information about the murders or other unsolved crimes is asked to call the Crime Stopper program. Callers may remain anonymous and may qualify for a reward.