Her Image Was Discovered in the Wallet of a Convicted Murderer, Yet Justice Eludes Her

Brenda and Jason Melton were foster siblings who cherished their time together, despite the slight age gap between them. Their bond was strengthened by a shared love for classic rock music. In 1977, when Jason was just 14, Brenda took him to see Led Zeppelin, a concert that left a lasting impression on the young boy from Nashua, New Hampshire. Brenda was described as a “free spirit,” known for her warm personality and a wide circle of friends, all of whom admired her.

Among those drawn to Brenda was a man named Tony Harris.

Brenda Was Unaware of Harris’s Dark Past

In 1980, at the age of 20, Brenda was employed at a local biker bar called OJ’s. “It was dark and gritty, filled with bikers,” Jason recalled. While it wasn’t the ideal place to meet someone, Tony Harris frequently visited to flirt with Brenda. With his long black hair, he bore a resemblance to Rick Springfield. Initially, he seemed charming to Jason, but warnings from friends about Tony’s true nature lingered. “I tried to warn her,” Jason said, “but she insisted, ‘You need to get to know him.’”

Little did Brenda realize that she didn’t truly know Tony Harris.

When Brenda told her brother she was embarking on a trip with Tony, she was unaware that he was evading law enforcement. Tony Harris had a violent history; in May 1979, he had shot and injured a man named Mark Johnson after discovering his former fiancé was dating him. Harris was charged with armed assault with intent to murder, but he had managed to post bail just before inviting Brenda on what she thought was a romantic adventure.

Unbeknownst to Brenda, Tony Harris was also a convicted killer. In December 1971, at just 17 years old, he had shot and killed a 52-year-old man, Charles Thompson. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years, but only served a year before being released.

With her hair in a ponytail and dressed in a blue and white shirt, Brenda left Jason a heartfelt message: “I love you, and I’ll be back.” She then climbed onto Tony’s motorcycle, riding off into the unknown. Jason never saw her again.

Brenda’s Brief Calls from the Southwest

Two months later, Brenda called Jason collect from New Mexico. He felt abandoned by his beloved sister. “The call was short,” he recounted. “She mentioned sending me some turquoise, and that was it for weeks. Then I received a package filled with beautiful stones. I thought it was amazing… she kept saying, ‘I’ll come back for you.’”

A few months later, she called again from Arizona, but this time the tone was different. “It wasn’t a happy call. She said, ‘I’m coming home,’ and I asked if everything was alright. She replied, ‘No, I need to come home. I can’t talk right now.’ She expressed her love and hung up.

That was the last time he ever heard from her. He filed missing persons reports, but authorities suggested she might not want to be found. Even after sending a letter through the Social Security Administration, which claimed it had been delivered, he believed she was simply choosing not to contact him. Little did he know what had truly happened to Brenda.

Tony Gets Married

In 1986, under the name Michael Johnson, Tony married a 26-year-old woman named Lisa Adams, a Tucson native. They had two children together, but their marriage quickly deteriorated. On August 10, 1995, amidst a contentious divorce, Lisa vanished without a trace. Her vehicle was found abandoned two blocks from their home, devoid of keys or signs of struggle.

The investigation revealed that Michael Johnson was, in fact, Tony Harris, wanted for an outstanding warrant related to his previous attempted murder charge. He was arrested and extradited. Upon searching his belongings, authorities discovered a photo of a young woman in his wallet, which he refused to identify.

In November 1996, Harris was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the shooting incident involving Mark Johnson. Despite this, Arizona authorities continued their investigation into Lisa’s disappearance. When a manufacturing firm discovered Lisa’s IDs hidden in the workplace, they contacted police. Even without a body, Harris was charged with her murder.

He did not plead guilty but entered a “no contest” plea, acknowledging the possibility of being found guilty if the case went to trial. Harris was sentenced to an additional twenty years in Arizona, set to serve concurrently with his Massachusetts sentence, with a projected release date in 2025.

The Mystery of the Photo

Cold case detectives took a closer look at the photo found in Harris’s wallet and noticed its resemblance to a Jane Doe discovered in 1981. This unidentified victim had been found by hunters in a desert wash, showing signs of having been strangled and likely sexually assaulted. Unfortunately, due to the condition of her body, identifying her was nearly impossible.

Realizing the striking similarities, investigators circulated the photo on social media, hoping to find someone who recognized the young woman. Fortunately, someone did, leading them to Jason. A detective contacted him, vaguely mentioning a Jane Doe that could potentially be Brenda. They requested DNA for comparison. Jason, still clinging to hope that his sister was alive, was devastated when the results confirmed the tragic truth.

Justice Remains Elusive for Brenda

Though Tony Harris has been identified as a person of interest in Brenda’s murder, he has not been formally charged. He remains incarcerated until 2025. Despite her photograph being found in the wallet of a convicted murderer and Harris being the last person to see her, Brenda’s case is still officially unsolved.

Jason spent years believing his sister was still out there. He dreamed of reuniting, of their children playing together. “I feel like I lost her three times,” he said: first when she left, again when she died, and a final time upon discovering the truth about Harris.

Yet, someone out there holds more information. Someone witnessed something or overheard something. They know more about Brenda’s disappearance than authorities or her brother do. Jason urges anyone with knowledge to contact Pima County law enforcement. Brenda deserves justice, and her killer must be held accountable. Jason, her grieving brother, deserves more than just memories and a jar of his sister’s ashes.

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Summary:

Brenda Melton, a vibrant young woman, disappeared in 1980 after leaving with Tony Harris, a man with a violent past. Despite brief calls to her brother, Jason, she was never seen again. Years later, her photo was found in Harris’s wallet, but he remains uncharged in her murder. As Jason battles the pain of loss, he continues to seek justice for his sister, hoping that someone will come forward with the information needed to solve her case.

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