Missing Person Case: Maria Ann Monrean

By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: October 6th, 2025

Overview of the Case

Maria Ann Monrean, a 36-year-old white female, disappeared from San Jose, California, on August 1, 1996. She was last seen in the city, but no specific circumstances—such as her last known location, activities, or companions—are detailed in official records. The case is classified as a standard missing person investigation with no confirmed foul play, though the lack of leads has kept it unsolved for nearly 30 years. As of October 2025, she would be 66 years old.

Readers should note that sometimes the first of the month is used as a placeholder, when the exact date is not known. With this ambiguous case that contains few details, I think readers should consider the chance that she went missing sometime in August 1996, which the first of the month being part of that range.

Case Details

Demographics
Legal First Name	Maria
Middle Name	Ann
Legal Last Name	Monrean
Chosen Name/Nickname/Alias	Maria Antonucci, Julie Smith, Elizabeth Joy Kattenhorn
Missing Age	36 Years
Current Age	66 Years
Date of Birth	August 16, 1959
Biological Sex	Female
Height	4' 11" (59 Inches)
Weight	135 lbs
Race / Ethnicity	White / Caucasian
Circumstances
Date of Last Contact	August 1, 1996 (Thursday)
Location	San Jose, California
County	Santa Clara County
Missing From Tribal Land	No
Primary Residence on Tribal Land	Not Specified
Circumstances of Disappearance	She was last seen on August 1, 1996 in San Jose, California.
Circumstance Notes	California DOJ Missing Person Page
Physical Description
Hair Color	Blond/Strawberry
Left Eye Color	Blue
Right Eye Color	Blue
Distinctive Physical Features	No Information Entered
Dental X-rays Available	No
Clothing and Accessories
Details	No Information Entered
Additional Case Info
NamUs Case Number	MP85110
NamUs Case Created	October 10, 2021
Reporting Agency	San Jose Police Department
Case Number	96-286-9515
Contact Phone	(408) 277-4141
Transportation
Details	No Information Entered

Source: NamUs.gov, Case #MP85110; California Department of Justice

Investigation and Leads

• Official Status: Active missing person case, listed on the California Department of Justice's statewide database and NamUs (MP85110). The absence of a NamUs number in earlier records is unusual for cases of this age but does not indicate closure.
• Known Details: Few specifics are available. Monrean has not been heard from since her disappearance, and no sightings, financial activity, or communications have been reported.
• Public Awareness: Featured on databases like The Charley Project, Doe Network (Case File 1614DFCA), and NamUs. A dedicated Facebook page exists for tips and awareness.

Public and Online Discussion

Online forums, particularly Websleuths, have a dedicated thread since 2021 discussing the case, but activity is low with no major breakthroughs or theories gaining traction. Speculation is minimal due to the scarcity of details—some users note the aliases as potential clues to a voluntary disappearance or identity change, but nothing is substantiated. No recent media coverage, podcasts, or documentaries appear to have focused on it, and searches on platforms like X yield no relevant discussions or tips as of October 2025.

Current Status and Next Steps

The case remains open, with no arrests or suspects named. Given the time elapsed, resolution is unlikely without new tips, such as DNA matches via genealogy or public recognition. The use of multiple aliases suggests she may have adopted a new identity, though this is speculative.