A woman’s nightmare comes true when she’s raped and murdered by a co-worker. ![]() Carlos Berdeja Suspect: Gender: Male CASE DETAILS ![]() Jeanne Molina Jeanne Molina had a frightening, violent dream that she believed was a premonition. She told her husband, Frank Reed, about it:
Jeanne Molina was raised in Merced, California. Following a tour of duty with the Navy, she returned home, married Frank Reed, and had three children. According to Frank:
![]() Police found the rock used to beat Jeanne But when her youngest child was two years old, Jeanne needed a change in her life. She also wanted to escape the savage beating predicted in her dream. Jeanne left Merced and moved some 300 miles south to the city of Tustin, California. Her experience as a cook in the Navy helped her land a job with a restaurant chain. Ernestine Hitchcock is Jeanne’s mother:
Jeanne had been at her job for about two months when she arranged for her oldest daughter, Joanna, to come down from Merced to live with her. Jeanne’s parents agreed to drive 10 year-old Joanna to Tustin on July 17. But when they arrived at Jeanne’s home as planned, no one was there. ![]() Berdeja was seen cleaning his car Jeanne’s parents went to the restaurant where she worked. They were told Jeanne did not report for work that day. The next morning, they went back to Jeanne’s room hoping to find her. There was no note, no clue as to where she might be. Finally, they went to the local police and reported her missing. Little did they know that on the same day that they had driven to Tustin, a gruesome discovery was made in Westminster, a town 10 miles away. The crushed and beaten body of an unidentified woman was found near an abandoned construction site. Michael Proctor spoke for the Westminster Police Department:
![]() The car provided a wealth of evidence According Michael Proctor, just after daybreak that Sunday, a husband and wife witnessed a man acting suspiciously near his car:
Terry Selinske also works for the Westminster Police Department:
An autopsy revealed that the woman had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and bludgeoned, then run over by a car. Jeanne Molina’s landlord read a newspaper article about the victim and thought it might be Jeanne. He called police, who contacted Jeanne’s husband, Frank Reed:
It wasn’t until Frank was shown the victim’s ring that he was certain it was Jeanne. Despite Jeanne’s dream about her husband beating her, investigators were able to quickly eliminate Frank as a suspect:
Detectives went to the restaurant and questioned Jeanne’s coworkers. Terry Selinske:
That individual was short order cook Carlos Garcia Berdeja. Jeanne might have gone out with Berdeja to celebrate her daughter’s pending arrival. What she probably didn’t know was that Berdeja had a history of violence and a hair-trigger temper. According to Michael Proctor, Berdeja had once threatened a fellow cook and then bragged about killing a man in Mexico. Carlos Berdeja quit his job the day Jeanne disappeared. At Berdeja’s apartment, police learned that he and his common-law wife had left suddenly on the day of the murder. That afternoon, another neighbor saw Berdeja cleaning out his car. When Berdeja’s car was later found abandoned, it provided police with even more proof that he was the killer. Terry Selinske:
Authorities have been searching for Carlos Berdeja ever since. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season twelve with Robert Stack and in season six with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. SUBMIT A TIP |
Samanth
There’s a Carlos Berdeja on Facebook but can’t see any post and only one photo updated July 22 looks like it could be him at the least if it is it would be an updated photo
Luis
I would like to contribute to your detention
I have some data that can help.
communicate to the mail
ep2554945@gmail.com
Karen Brewington
Kay submitted comment on 2/16/2021: Did you by chance submit your comment as a tip. I was a good friend of Jeanne’s but this is the 1st time I’ve successfully read any forum regarding her death. I followed the link, but was unable to tell for sure if that’s him. It’s so frustrating to find out any information about her case. But what you’ve found it gives me hope that he might be found!
Kat
The man in this Twitter account bears a striking resemblance and goes by the same name: https://mobile.twitter.com/carlosberdejam. I really unsolved mysteries should look into him.
Sonia Lynwood
My condolences to Jeanne’s mother…
Ernestine Hitchcock.
Anna
I still cannot believe this animal hasn’t been caught. Jeanne was my good friend. I always check to see if he has been captured. I miss you, Jeanne.
Shonnette Edwards
So sorry for your loss Debra. Her memory will forever be alive thanks to you and her beautiful family.
Bob
Just recently found out of Jeanne’s death. Jeanne was a student of mine back in the mid-1970s at South Gate High School. She was an intelligent individual with a great personality. She served her country in the U.S. Navy for three years. She was a person who always strived to be the best she could be. Continue to rest in peace, Jeanne.
John
May god bless her and may he punish that animal he doesn’t deserve to to be living amongst others and will kill again he’s proud of previous murders so sad RIP JEANNE ❤✌☝️
Debra
Jeanne was my best childhood friend. We grew up together in South Gate, CA. I think about her often and especially on her birthday, which is today: October 15th. Even after all these years, I still can’t comprehend how anyone would do those things to her. She was such a wonderful person.
John hebert
I have a guy that work with me how old are the pics above the guy that works for me looks him but a lot older and his name is Carlos
Unsolved Mysteries Post author
Hi John – Carlos Berdeja would be in his mid 50’s. Please send us more information at unsolved@unsolved.com, through our tip form (https://unsolved.com/tips/) or through our app. Thank you.
Anonymous
He would be 52 years old, now.
Dave
If any of you people ever seen him before, go and talk to the cops.
Jessie
Have you seen this man before? If you have, Call the police at once.