Her Image Was Discovered in the Wallet of a Convicted Killer, Yet She Hasn’t Found Justice

Brandon and Lisa Mason were once foster siblings, sharing a bond that surpassed their age difference. They both had a passion for rock music, relishing moments spent together. In 1977, when Brandon was just 14, Lisa took him to his first concert featuring Led Zeppelin, an experience that left a lasting impression on the teenage boy. Lisa was known for her vibrant personality, often described as a “flower child” by her brother, who recalled her as friendly and outgoing, with many wanting to be her friend.

Among those who sought her attention was Jake Anderson.

Lisa Had No Clue Jake Was a Wanted Man

In 1980, when Lisa was 20, she worked at a local biker bar called OJ’s. As her brother described, it was a rather grimy place filled with bikers, not exactly an ideal spot to meet guys. However, Jake, who bore a resemblance to Rick Springfield with his long black hair, repeatedly showed up to flirt with Lisa. While he initially seemed charming, Brandon received warnings from friends about Jake’s true nature. “I tried to express my concerns to her,” he said. “But she insisted, ‘You need to get to know him.’” Unbeknownst to Lisa, she was completely unaware of who Jake really was.

When Lisa informed her brother that she would be heading west with Jake in 1980, she had no idea he was on the run. Jake Anderson, as Brandon would later learn, had a history of violence. In May 1979, he shot his ex-fiancé’s new partner, Michael Renk, three times in a fit of rage. Renk survived, and Jake was charged with armed assault with intent to murder that August. He posted bail of $1,200 in 1980 and turned his trip westward into an escape from law enforcement, not a romantic getaway.

Lisa was also unaware that Jake was a convicted killer. Back in December 1971, at just 17 years old, he had shot and killed 52-year-old Robert Harris. Convicted of manslaughter, he served only a year before being released.

With her hair tied back and dressed in a blue and white top, Lisa told Brandon, “I love you, and I’ll be back.” She hopped on Jake’s motorcycle, and that was the last time Brandon ever saw her.

Lisa Called Twice from the Southwest

Two months later, she called her upset brother collect from New Mexico. Brandon felt abandoned by his sister. “The call didn’t last long,” he recalled. “She mentioned she’d send me some turquoise, and that was it for weeks. Then I received a package with some turquoise jewelry.” Lisa had sent him a lovely choker and loose stones, assuring him, “I’ll be back for you.”

A few months later, she called again from Arizona. “That call was different,” Brandon noted. “She said, ‘I’m coming home.’ I asked if everything was okay, and she replied, ‘No, I can’t talk right now. I’ll see you soon.’” He never heard from her again. He filed missing persons reports, but authorities suggested she might have chosen to disappear. Despite his efforts, including a letter sent through the Social Security Administration, he was left in the dark about her fate.

The search dragged on until 2015.

Jake Gets Married

Lisa’s last known call was from Arizona. In 1986, under the alias David Smith, Jake married a 26-year-old woman named Anna Thompson, originally from Tucson. They had two sons together, but their marriage took a dark turn. There are no records indicating Anna knew about Jake’s true identity; perhaps she discovered it, or maybe he feared she would. By 1995, Anna was in the midst of filing for divorce and seeking custody of their children. It was a contentious matter, and on August 10, 1995, she vanished without a trace. Her minivan was found abandoned two blocks from their home, keys missing and no signs of struggle.

The investigation unraveled quickly.

Authorities soon discovered that David Smith was actually Jake Anderson, who had a warrant out for his arrest related to the attempted murder charge in Massachusetts. He was apprehended and extradited. Upon searching his belongings, detectives found a photo of a young woman in his wallet, but Jake refused to reveal her identity.

In November 1996, Massachusetts sentenced him to 26 years for the shooting incident involving Michael Renk. However, Arizona law enforcement continued their investigation. When Jake’s workplace found Anna’s identification hidden behind a cabinet, they alerted the police. Even without a body, Jake was charged with her murder.

He didn’t plead guilty; instead, he entered a “no contest” plea, which implied he could be found guilty if the case went to trial. In 1999, he received a 20-year sentence in Arizona, to be served concurrently with his Massachusetts sentence, leading to a release date in 2025.

Anna’s body was never found.

About That Photo

Cold case detectives revisited the photo found in Jake’s wallet, noticing its resemblance to a facial reconstruction of an unidentified Jane Doe discovered in April 1981. This victim had been found by hunters a half-mile down a desert wash, where they stumbled upon a jacket hung on a tree, only to later find the body. She had been strangled, likely sexually assaulted, and her remains were too deteriorated for identification. They determined she was between 17 and 22 years old.

Recognizing the similarities, they began circulating the photo on social media in Massachusetts, hoping someone would recognize the young woman. The girl in the picture donned a bohemian dress and held flowers with a shy smile.

Eventually, someone did recognize her, leading authorities to Brandon. A detective reached out, cautiously mentioning they had a Jane Doe who might be Lisa. They requested DNA samples. Despite his hopes that it would not be his sister, the test confirmed the tragic news.

Lisa Still Lacks Justice

Jake Anderson is currently a person of interest in Lisa’s murder but has never been formally charged. Despite the photograph found in his wallet — belonging to a twice-convicted murderer — and the fact that he was the last person to see her, Lisa’s case remains officially unsolved.

Brandon lived for years under the belief that his sister was still alive, imagining a future where they would reunite and their children would play together. “I feel like I lost her three times,” he lamented: first when she left, then when he learned of her death, and finally when he discovered Jake’s suspected involvement.

Yet someone else might hold the key to this mystery. Someone must know more about Lisa’s disappearance. Brandon urges anyone with information to come forward to Pima County law enforcement, emphasizing that Lisa deserves justice, and her killer — whether Jake or another — must be held accountable. Brandon, her younger brother, yearns for more than just memories and a jar of his sister’s ashes.

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Summary: The tragic story of Lisa Mason, whose photograph was discovered in the wallet of convicted murderer Jake Anderson, reveals a haunting search for justice. Despite being a person of interest in her case, Anderson has never been charged, leaving her brother Brandon yearning for answers. The case remains unsolved, and Brandon pleads for anyone with information to come forward.