Unsolved Murder of Cynthia "Cindy" Cook

On Jan. 24, 1981 16-year-old Cindy Cook left around 7 p.m. from her home in Lemon Valley, Nevada to an arcade that was within walking distance. She had stayed at the arcade till 8:30 p.m. She played with a couple of friends while she was there. Before she left she asked them if they wanted to go to a party. She had been invited to one and wondered if they wanted to come with her. It's not stated whether or not she said where the party was or not. They refused and she left likely hitchhiking to the party. She never made it home that night. 

Cindy's body was found on Jan. 25 around 9:45 a.m. being bothered by dogs. She was lying face down near the intersection of Cold Springs Drive and the current day Village Parkway in Cold Springs Valley North of Reno. She had been stabbed between the eyes and numerous times in her chest. It was found that the poor girl was also beaten. The motivation for her murder is unknown. 

Her 17th birthday was on the 31st. Cindy was living with a foster family at the time that treated her as one of their own. It was stated, "She was no angel, but she was a good girl." She had some problems in her past but she was working out. She was a determined young lady who was succeeding at school and life. Cindy was not in the drug scene and did not drink. She was a bit too trusting of others and it could be that she trusted the wrong stranger. 

SOURCES:

Washoe County Sheriff's Office

Find A Grave

Reno Gazette-Journal 

Reno Gazette-Journal