SILENT WITNESS

March 5, 2012

Mar 3, 2012, 7:29 PM | Updated: Jun 5, 2012, 4:22 am

“We didn’t know what evil was until that day,” Jessica Martinez spoke of the loss of innocence — that day more than 30 years ago when her friend, Amy Yachimec, disappeared.

The childhood friends rode the bus together, played hopscotch and tether ball and were Girl Scouts together.

“Amy was 13 years old when she disappeared on November 6th, 1981,” said Phoenix Police Sergeant Darren Burch. “She was last seen in her family’s apartment at about 10:00 at night getting ready for bed.”

The family lived in an apartment near 35th Avenue and Van Buren. Burch said investigators believe Amy met with foul play.

“Someone killed Amy, buried her body in the desert and, unfortunately, the body has never been discovered,” he said.

Investigators need to find her body so they can look for evidence and pursue charges.

Martinez said Yachimec was a timid little girl.

“She was very shy,” said Martinez. “She was friendly. She had these really big, blue eyes that would look up at you. Some people may have forgotten about her, but I haven’t.”

To read more about this case, click here.

Silent Witness

(Facebook Photo/Phoenix Police Department)...

Jayme West

Phoenix police looking for suspects in separate 2016 aggravated robberies

Phoenix police are looking for suspects in two separate cases -- a robbery and an assault.

2 days ago

Picture of the Mitsubishi Montero that Phoenix police suspect hit an 11-year-old girl in a crosswal...

Damon Allred

Hit-and-run suspect sought in Phoenix after injuring child walking in crosswalk

Officers are searching for a hit-and-run suspect who hit an 11-year-old girl walking in a school crosswalk on Friday, Phoenix PD said.

11 days ago

26th Street and Camelback Road, where an e-scooter rider was struck and killed by an unknown suspec...

Damon Allred

Suspect sought in fatal hit-and-run of e-scooter rider in Phoenix

Detectives are searching for the suspect of a hit-and-run that killed a man riding an e-scooter in Phoenix on Wednesday.

19 days ago

Robbin Burgette and crime lab....

Jayme West

Phoenix cold case: Decades after teen murdered at home, police are still searching for answers

It's been more than 46 years since a 16-year-old girl was killed in her family's Phoenix duplex, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions that continue to haunt both her loved ones and the detectives tasked with solving the case. 

21 days ago

David Santiago was killed after partying at a club in 2012.(Silent Witness and Pexels photos)...

Jayme West

Phoenix police looking for suspects in 2012 death of young man at club

It's been over 11 years since a Valley mom has tried to piece together who killed her son while he was out partying at a club. 

1 month ago

(Silent Witness photos)...

Jayme West

Unsolved mystery: Young woman fatally shot in Phoenix parking lot in 2011

Phoenix Police are seeking help from the public in reinvigorating a cold homicide case from 2011.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

Sciatica pain is treatable but surgery may be required

Sciatica pain is one of the most common ailments a person can face, and if not taken seriously, it could become one of the most harmful.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Day & Night is looking for the oldest AC in the Valley

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

The 51st annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade is excitingly upon us

The 51st annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe is upon us! The attraction honors Arizona and the history of the game.

March 5, 2012