Santa Rosa, California – A woman in California has uncovered a dark family secret that may link her step-grandfather to a series of unsolved murders of young women in the 1970s. Sierra Barter’s suspicions arose after learning about her stepfather Jim Mordecai’s history of sexual abuse towards girls and women in his life, including one of his stepdaughters. This revelation led Barter to consider the possibility that Mordecai could have been the perpetrator behind the Santa Rosa hitchhiker murders, a string of at least seven unsolved cases that occurred between 1972 and 1973 in the area north of San Francisco.
Barter’s journey to uncover the truth about her step-grandfather is documented in a new four-part Max feature titled “The Truth About Jim.” In the documentary, Barter shares the impact of hearing her aunt’s stories and the heartbreaking realization of the suffering endured by the women in her family at the hands of Mordecai. Despite the challenges of investigating cases from decades ago, Barter remains hopeful that the truth will provide closure for the families affected by these tragedies.
One of the chilling details that raised suspicions about Mordecai’s possible involvement in the murders was his threat to hogtie women, a method used in some of the Santa Rosa cases. Additionally, his possession of a collection of cheap women’s jewelry further fueled Barter’s suspicions. Barter took the initiative to provide the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office with some of Mordecai’s personal belongings in the hopes of uncovering potential DNA evidence that could link him to the crimes.
As the investigation unfolds, Barter reflects on the impact of uncovering her family’s dark past and the sense of freedom she now feels from Mordecai’s shadow. She emphasizes the importance of speaking up and breaking the cycle of abuse that may have plagued her step-grandfather’s upbringing. Barter remains committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families, despite the challenges posed by the passage of time and the limited evidence available.
Through her courageous pursuit of the truth, Barter not only seeks closure for the families affected by the Santa Rosa hitchhiker murders but also aims to encourage others to confront hidden family secrets and break the cycle of abuse. As the investigation continues, Barter remains determined to shed light on the dark history that has haunted her family for decades.