Joan Gay Croft Disappearance: Unsolved Mysteries Case Analysis

The Mysterious Disappearance of Joan Gay Croft in 1947

By: Shane Lambert | Originally published: July 27, 2023 

The disappearance of Joan Gay Croft in 1947 remains a haunting missing persons case in Woodward, Oklahoma, famously covered in Season 6, Episode 1 of Unsolved Mysteries (hosted by Robert Stack). This article summarizes the episode, compares it with 1947 journalism, and explores updates on this enduring mystery.

Damage from the 1947 Woodward, Oklahoma tornado, linked to Joan Gay Croft’s disappearance. Source: City of Woodward, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.

The Disappearance According to Unsolved Mysteries

A devastating tornado struck Woodward, Oklahoma, in April 1947, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Amid this chaos, the mysterious disappearance of Joan Gay Croft unfolded. Here’s a summary of the events as presented in Unsolved Mysteries:

• A powerful tornado hit Woodward, Oklahoma, in April 1947, killing scores and causing extensive property damage (learn about the 1947 Woodward tornado).
• The Croft family was severely affected: the mother died, the father was badly injured, and Joan Gay Croft and her sister required hospitalization.
• While in the hospital, Joan Gay Croft reportedly vanished when two men in military khakis took her.
• She has not been seen since.
• Watch the Unsolved Mysteries episode below, starting at the 31:30 mark.

Updates on Joan Gay Croft’s Case After Unsolved Mysteries

As of October 4, 2025, Joan Gay Croft’s case remains unresolved. Her profile is still active on NamUs, indicating she is still considered a missing person.

I previously covered this case in a 2020 article on my blog, independent of Unsolved Mysteries. The points raised there remain relevant for those researching Joan’s disappearance.

1947 Journalism vs. Unsolved Mysteries Narrative

The Unsolved Mysteries episode presents Joan Gay Croft’s story differently from the 1947 newspaper reports. For example:

• Injury Discrepancy: The episode describes Joan having a finger-sized splinter in her leg, while 1947 journalism reported a broom-handle-sized splinter, suggesting a severe, untreated injury.
• Condition: The show portrays Joan as a well-groomed child, but newspapers noted she had severe facial abrasions and a possible head injury.
• FBI Involvement: The FBI did not investigate due to insufficient evidence of an abduction, casting doubt on the two men in khakis narrative.

An untreated broom-handle-sized splinter could have led to significant infection or blood loss, potentially contributing to her fate. The 1947 journalism suggests she may have died in the hospital chaos and been buried under an incorrect name.

April 20th, 1947, Blackwell-Journal Tribune article on Joan Gay Croft’s disappearance.

Theories on Joan Gay Croft’s Fate

Several theories exist about what happened to Joan Gay Croft after the 1947 tornado:

• Abduction: Unsolved Mysteries suggests two men in khakis abducted her from the hospital.
• Misidentification: 1947 journalism indicates she may have died and been buried under an incorrect name amid the chaos.
• Unrecorded Transfer: She could have been transferred to another facility without proper documentation.

Is Unsolved Mysteries Reliable?

Unsolved Mysteries often sensationalized stories to captivate audiences. In the same episode as Joan’s case, the show featured a questionable story about a man claiming to be the reincarnation of a WWII submarine sailor. Such stories are fanciful and non-sensical, showing that the program prioritized entertainment over accuracy.

In contrast, 1947 journalism provides a more grounded perspective. I recommend reading my 2020 article and its embedded newspaper clippings for a clearer picture of Joan’s case.

Conclusion

In my opinion, Joan Gay Croft likely died during the 1947 Woodward tornado aftermath and was buried under an incorrect name, as supported by contemporary journalism. The Unsolved Mysteries narrative, while compelling, appears exaggerated. Share your thoughts on Joan Gay Croft’s case in the comments or explore more missing persons stories on our blog.