Mysterious bones hit dead end

Douglas Fitzgerald, 82, died April 28 of lung cancer, but what he left behind for his estranged family was a suitcase full of bones and a mystery with quickly fizzling leads. Now authorities are asking anyone who may have known Fitzgerald or his wife, Anne, to help solve the mystery.

The entire remains of a 70- to 75-year-old female were discovered in a locked suitcase by Fitzgerald's estranged niece on May 3. The skeleton is between 5 foot 2 inches and 5 foot 3 inches - the same height as Anne Fitzgerald. She is assumed dead yet there are no records of her death or dental record anywhere, said Foucrault.

An extensive search has turned up very few facts on Anne Fitzgerald - also known as Anne Zavitz or Anne Morris. She was born on July 15, 1913 in Boston, Mass. A note - written in what appears to be a woman's handwriting - found in Douglas Fitzgerald's studio apartment after his death said she was educated in New England.

Anne Fitzgerald's last know place of employment was at a Las Vegas manufacturing company in 1978. The company has since gone out of business.

Douglas Fitzgerald was born in July 19, 1924 in Oakland. His last known place of employment was at San Mateo's Laurel Haven Sanitarium in 1983. That company is also no longer in business.

The two married June 13, 1975 in Reno, Nev. Anne Fitzgerald was married once before and her first husband is buried in a Colma cemetery. Investigators are unable to determine if she had any children by either husband. If there is any descendent, the coroner's office could make a positive identification based on DNA samples, said Foucrault.

One of the only documents investigators were able to turn up was a 1985 divorce filing. However, it's unclear if the divorce was ever finalized, said Foucrault.

One major hang up in the case is the fact that investigators haven't been able to find a death certificate for Anne Fitzgerald. Although a few people who knew the couple claim she died 10 to 15 years ago, there are no official records.

There are also no dental records for her at any of California's major dental companies, said Foucrault.

Douglas Fitzgerald's family includes a few estranged nieces and nephews, but no immediate family. Those who knew Fitzgerald describe him as a reclusive man. He lived at the Tuscany Village apartments in Burlingame for 20 years, but changed to a studio apartment about 10 years ago, said Foucrault.

Anyone with information about either Douglas or Anne Fitzgerald should call the San Mateo County Coroner's Office at 312-5562 or the Burlingame Police Department at 777-4100.