BALITANG NAKAKAGULAT: Natagpuan na ang babaeng Pilipina na nawawala sa Amerika sa loob ng 23 taon! Natuklasan siya ng mga imbestigador sa isang lugar na kailanman ay hindi inaasahan, at ang pahayag ng salarin ay tunay na nakakatakot…

The Mojave Desert is located in California. For decades—even millennia—many treasures have been discovered there. But in 1994, two stone hunters were shocked—not by treasure—but by a skeleton.

They immediately contacted authorities, and sheriffs quickly arrived at the scene and sealed it off with tape after they discovered a human skull and bones.
Since the bones were still buried underground, authorities suspected a possible crime. They called in the homicide unit, and a forensic team processed the excavation.
That’s when they realized it was a burial site.

According to the report, the skeleton was wrapped in a black plastic bag. After collecting all the bones, they were sent to experts for identification.
Upon examination, the skull showed no visible injuries, so the cause of death could not be determined. Detectives also struggled to identify the victim because there was no object or clue to help with the process.
So while the investigation continued, they named the victim “Apple Valley Jane Doe.” For decades, no one knew her identity.
Eventually, when new technology allowed DNA extraction from bones, the authorities contacted experts. But the DNA sample didn’t match any in the missing persons database.

Just like the 800+ other “Does” in the system, they assumed this Jane Doe would remain unidentified for decades—or forever.
To give her a proper burial, they laid her to rest in a “Potter’s Field,” a cemetery for unidentified individuals.

Over two decades passed. The Apple Valley Jane Doe’s case file just gathered dust in the police station—until 2015, when the cold case detective received a call. The DNA had finally matched.
The investigation revealed the bones belonged to Filipina Jovita “Vita” Dizon.

According to reports, Vita was born and raised in the Philippines and worked in a bar in Subic Bay. One night, while serving drinks, she met Mike Cazo, a US Navy serviceman working as an electronics technician.
Captivated by her beauty, Mike introduced himself, and they quickly became inseparable. Their relationship flourished, and on January 22, 1978, they got married.
Six months later, Vita gave birth to their daughter, Michelle. When Mike’s deployment in Subic Bay ended, he brought his wife and daughter to the U.S., where they lived in a government-provided home in Idaho.

Later, they moved to a military base in San Diego, California. Though far from her family, Vita and Mike remained happy. They cooked together, smiled often, and made time for each other—even after becoming parents.

But in 1984, Mike received new orders from his commander. Though they wouldn’t move, his repeated assignments kept him away, leaving Vita alone to care for their daughter and handle all household responsibilities.
While Vita complained, Mike couldn’t refuse orders. She began to feel neglected, believing her husband prioritized work over family. When Mike returned from one assignment, Vita was devastated to learn he’d be leaving again—this time to Wisconsin.

The repeated absences and unresolved issues led to constant fights. Mike began drinking heavily to cope with stress, which Vita despised. Still, they remained married.
But in 1985, while stationed in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Mike had an affair. Meanwhile, Vita struggled to raise Michelle alone.

When Mike returned home, he didn’t stay long and accepted another job.
In 1986, his ship docked in Pearl Harbor. He waited an hour at the port, hoping to see Vita and Michelle—but they never showed up.
Disheartened, he went home and found an envelope containing a letter from Vita. She had left him.
In the letter, she explained their relationship was going nowhere. Though Mike provided for them financially, it wasn’t enough.
She felt like a single parent—abandoned. She also suspected Mike was cheating because they hadn’t been intimate in months.
So, with heavy heart, Vita packed up and left with Michelle. They moved to San Diego, determined to start a new life.

Vita quickly found work at Honey Cove Bar in Imperial Beach. Her co-worker, Mary, described her as cheerful, kind, and hardworking.
While she rebuilt their lives, Mike drowned in alcohol and had casual flings. But eventually, he realized no woman could replace Vita.
He quit drinking and requested a transfer to California to be closer to his family. In 1989, he became a trainer for new electricians in San Diego.

Mike visited the bar where Vita worked but was shocked to discover she had a new partner: Michael Richardson, a businessman who owned a mechanic shop.
Michelle recalled how Richardson brought joy to her mother. Life with him was more stable and comfortable.

Despite their improved life, Mike didn’t give up. He kept trying to reconnect with Vita, but she always said, “It’s over.”
Though heartbroken, Mike eventually accepted the divorce. Vita didn’t block Mike from seeing Michelle—he was welcome anytime.
Mike even bought a house in National City to be near his daughter. Their relationship improved to the point that Michelle noticed her parents laughing together again.
She hoped they’d reunite—but her dream was shattered when Vita suddenly vanished on April 30, 1992.

Vita told Michelle she was going to Richardson’s house that night—and never came back.
Police invited Mike in for questioning, as he was a person of interest due to past harassment claims.
He denied any involvement. Richardson was also interviewed but was later cleared for lack of evidence.

One year passed with no trace of Vita. Michelle, then 15, spiraled into depression and attempted suicide multiple times.
Mike admitted her to a mental health hospital for five months, then decided to leave the Navy and San Diego altogether.
They moved to Everett, Washington to start over, but Mike kept calling the detectives monthly—though no new leads emerged.
With no crime scene, body, or evidence, the case went cold for 23 years.

Everything changed when a car was found along the highway. Initially thought to be a hit-and-run, further inspection revealed the victims were murdered:
Fan L (72 years old) and her daughter, Thanan (30s).

Authorities found out Thanan was married to Michael Richardson—yes, the same man who was last seen with Vita.
He was arrested after Thanan’s niece testified in court. She caught Richardson sexually abusing her, and when Fan and Thanan found out, they threatened to report him.

Detectives discovered Richardson had a criminal record. He previously killed a driver in North Carolina and was imprisoned in 1982.
He escaped while cleaning highways as an inmate and fled to California, where he met Vita in 1986.

Though not initially a suspect in Vita’s case, once detectives learned of his fugitive past, they sent him back to North Carolina to finish his sentence.
After serving time, he returned to California, married Thanan, and killed her and her mother when they tried to expose him.

Authorities lacked strong evidence to charge him with Vita’s murder. But when Mike and Michelle submitted their DNA, it matched the Apple Valley Jane Doe’s remains.
That confirmed the skeleton found in Mojave Desert in 1994 was Vita Cazo.

Richardson was eventually sentenced to six consecutive life terms for murdering three women.
Mike never remarried, saying no one could ever compare to Vita.

Michelle revealed that, as a child, Richardson sexually abused her repeatedly for three years.
She was too scared to tell anyone, fearing he’d kill her and her loved ones.
When she saw her parents reconciling, she confessed everything to her mother. Vita planned to confront Richardson that night—April 30, 1992—and never came back.
Though Richardson pled guilty, he never revealed his motive or method—protected by Fifth Amendment rights and possibly a plea deal.

Now, after more than two decades, Michelle is grateful her mother finally received a proper burial.
Mike still blames himself—but justice, at last, has been served.

If you listened to this episode until the end—thank you.
Please consider liking and sharing this video.
And if you have a case you’d like me to cover, let me know.
Have a great day, kabayan.