Brenda Denise Woodard

Brenda Denise Woodard, 18, was abducted on the night of November 15, 1971 after leaving night school and stopping for dinner with a friend; she was the fifth victim linked to the Freeway Phantom case in Washington, D.C. A note found in her coat pocket, reportedly written in her own handwriting under apparent dictation, taunted police with the phrase “Catch me if you can.”

Washington, DC

• 1971: Case opens — victim reported missing or found.
• Documented milestones (renewed investigation, media coverage, family advocacy) to be added as sourced.
• Present: case remains unresolved. No named suspect has been convicted.

• Victim identity, age, and the November 15, 1971 date, per public reporting.
• A note found with her body has been referenced in public reporting and by police.

• The note's full content and any forensic (e.g. handwriting) analysis are not fully detailed in public records.
• No confirmed suspect has been named and convicted.

• Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC) — official case page
• Wikipedia — background reference
• Project Cold Case
• Murder Accountability Project
• NamUs