The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek the public’s assistance in solving the decades-old cold case murder of the Yellow Pages founder’s granddaughter who was set to inherit $40 million after his death.
The body of 25-year-old Marion Berry Ouma was found on January 3, 1979, down an embankment along Highway 93 near the Hoover Dam in Arizona.
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, she married in Africa and spent a few years working as a physical education teacher there before her murder.
Hoover Dam security officers discovered Ouma’s body around 9 a.m. She had a gunshot wound to her lower right abdomen and appeared to have been dead for less than 12 hours.
An autopsy later revealed multiple gunshot wounds from a .38 caliber weapon caused her death.
At the time, authorities collected fingerprints and a description of the victim but were unable to identify her.
Newsweek reached out to the Bureau of Reclamation with questions about the Hoover Dam, but they have not yet responded.
What Happened to Marion Berry Ouma?
A witness reported seeing a powder blue 1976-1977 Chevrolet Blazer or Ford Bronco with a removable hard top near the crime scene the following day. The vehicle had chrome push bars on the front, all-terrain tires, and a tall CB antenna on the right rear. The witness also noticed the front license plate was covered with a rag, which seemed unusual.
A breakthrough occurred in February when a private investigator from Ohio, working with local authorities in Las Vegas, identified Ouma as the victim. Investigators later confirmed her identity through fingerprint analysis and dental records.
Further investigation found Ouma had withdrawn money from her savings account in Las Vegas in late 1978. Authorities also traced her former residence, the Sierra Vista Apartments, and learned she had been evicted for non-payment of rent shortly before her death.
However, the case took a new twist when reports revealed Ouma’s grandfather, Loren Berry, the founder of the Yellow Pages, had died in 1986 and left her a substantial inheritance.
Experts valued his estate at around $500 million, with $40 million set aside for Ouma.
What’s Next For Investigation?
The investigation team is now asking the public for help to piece together the final days of Ouma’s life. They are particularly interested in any information about her whereabouts between December 13, 1978, when she was last seen at a bank, and January 3, 1979.
They are also looking for leads on the powder blue 1976-1977 Chevrolet Blazer or Ford Bronco last seen in the area.
MCSO spokesperson Anita Mortensen told Newsweek although they have not uncovered new information in Ouma’s case, they created the Special Investigations Unit to bring attention to cases in hopes of generating new leads.
“One of their main focuses is reinvestigating cold cases to see if there is any new information or leads – anything they can look into to possibly solve it,” Mortensen said. “They have done an outstanding job on a couple of our other cases — unidentified deceased subjects were located.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit.
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