Missing Person: Stephanie Ann Lyng - Palatine, Illinois, 1977 Murder Solved, Disappearance Unsolved

Missing Person: Stephanie Ann Lyng

Details from a government source (might be paraphrased):

Stephanie Ann Lyng was last seen on October 25th, 1977 (Tuesday), at a neighbor's house in Palatine, Illinois, after leaving to meet a carpet installer at her home. Her car ( a blue station wagon) was found abandoned at O'Hare Airport four days later.

Last contact: October 25th, 1977 (Tuesday), approximately unknown time
Last location: Palatine, Illinois - Neighbor's house
Age when Stephanie Ann Lyng disappeared: 39
DOB: Between October 26th, 1937 and October 25th, 1938
Sex: Female
Height in inches: 68
Weight in pounds (lbs): 140
BMI: 21.3 - Healthy weight (calculated to help picture what Stephanie Ann Lyng might have looked like)
Ethnicity: White / Caucasian
Hair color: Brown
Eye Color: Green
Distinctive Features: No known information
Link to Government Source: NamUs MP1690 (right-click to open)

Vehicle: Blue station wagon

Clothing Worn When Last Seen

Item	Description	Details	Source
Jeans	Blue jeans	No additional details	NamUs
Shirt	Blue knit shirt	No additional details	NamUs
Jacket	Yellow windbreaker	No additional details	NamUs

Unraveling the Mystery: Key Insights and Updates

By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: August 18th, 2025

This is a missing persons case where there is not a ton of mystery. Stephanie Ann Lyng was last seen on October 25th, 1977 (Tuesday), at a neighbor's house in Palatine, Illinois, after leaving to meet a carpet installer at her home. Her car was found abandoned at O'Hare Airport four days later on October 29th, 1977 (Saturday).

Summary of Case and Resolution: 

Stephanie, a 39-year-old mother of four, never reached her home for the carpet installer meeting, suggesting she was intercepted. A small amount of blood in her car matched her blood type, pointing to foul play.

Her husband, Edward J. Lyng, from whom she was seeking a divorce, was convicted of her murder in 1994. Evidence showed he ambushed her at home, stabbed her, and buried her in a pre-dug grave in Lake County, Illinois.

Although Stephanie's body has not been found, Edward is serving time at Menard Correctional Center and is not eligible for release until September 2026 (Source: DoeNetwork). Justice appears to have been served, reducing the mystery surrounding her disappearance. Due to her body not being found, she remains a missing person.

A Jane Doe found in a clandestine grave in the area of Stephanie Lyng's disappearance would be a strong candidate for comparison. I did read an article that suggested she may have been wrapped in a carpet before buried so a Jane Doe found in such a state would also be a strong candidate for comparison.

April 7th, 1994. Chicago Tribune.

Overall, my opinion is that this is not a great case to work on. Justice appears to have been served and I don't see how online researchers could generate a clue as to her resting place. However, a Jane Doe found in a clandestine grave with a carpet in the grave would be a candidate for this missing person.

Missing Persons Cases: Recent News (mid-August 2025)

By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: August 15th, 2025

Recent News in Missing Persons Cases

Grant Gardner: Ongoing Search in Wyoming’s Wilderness

In Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest, the search for 38-year-old Grant Gardner, a seasoned hiker from Lakeville, Minnesota, continues more than two weeks after he vanished on July 29th, 2025. The case has been covered by several mainstream publishers, including KTVQ (Aug 13th, 2025).

Gardner embarked on a solo hike, one that was originally planned to be multiday. He aimed to go to the Misty Moon Lake area and to summit Cloud Peak, the range’s highest peak at 13,000 feet. He texted his wife, Lauren, on July 29th, confirming he had reached the summit but noted the climb was more taxing than anticipated. That was the last anyone heard from him.

The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office launched a search on August 1st after Gardner failed to return as planned. His vehicle was found at the West Ten Sleep trailhead, and his entry in the hiking log confirmed his planned route. Sheriff Ken Blackburn described the Cloud Peak Wilderness as “deceptively expansive” and “unforgiving,” with boulder fields, crevasses, and high-altitude snow complicating efforts. The phrase "deceptively expansive" could describe an area that looks manageable when surveyed but ends up being a much larger challenge than at first anticipated.

Missing hikers, not to be confused with missing hitchhikers, are commonly covered at this blog. One significant risk factor is hiking alone. But in Gardner’s case, the comment regarding the difficulty of the hike is significant, I think. The effects of fatigue are pervasive and can contribute to a broad array of challenges.

Alec Luhn: A Journalist Found Alive in Norway

In a rare positive outcome, American journalist Alec Luhn was found alive after going missing during a backpacking trip in Norway. Details of his disappearance remain limited, but his safe recovery has brought relief to colleagues and loved ones. CNN is one news agency that has covered his case.

While specifics of Luhn’s ordeal—such as how he became lost or survived—are not widely available, his case serves as a reminder that not all missing persons stories end in tragedy. The factors contributing to his rescue, whether preparation, luck, or swift action by authorities, offer hope and a contrast to the uncertainty surrounding other cases.

Katie Hong: A Teen’s Safe Return in California

In Fremont, California, 16-year-old Katie Hong’s disappearance sparked widespread concern after she went missing following an online encounter. Hong vanished in late July 2025, prompting a two-week search by her family and local law enforcement. Fears of exploitation or foul play loomed large, given the risks associated with online interactions for young people. Fortunately, Hong was found safe on August 12th, though authorities have released few details to protect her privacy.

Her safe return highlights the importance of community vigilance and coordinated police work. The case also underscores the growing dangers of online platforms, where predators can exploit vulnerabilities. Hong’s family endured weeks of anguish, a common thread in missing persons cases, but their relief at her recovery reflects the hope that drives such searches. Her story serves as a cautionary tale for parents and teens navigating the digital landscape.

Giovanni Pelletier: A Tragic End in Florida

Tragically, not all cases end with reunions. Giovanni Pelletier, an 18-year-old from Massachusetts, went missing during a family vacation in Florida in late July 2025. According to posts on X, Pelletier was last seen in the early hours of August 1st after leaving Englewood with cousins.

A distressing “Help” text sent at 1:30 a.m., followed by the discovery of his phone and backpack near Interstate 75, intensified the search. Efforts initially focused on Englewood but later shifted to Manatee County. On August 9th, a body was found in a retention pond and confirmed to be Pelletier’s on August 10th. An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death.

Pelletier’s death has left his family and community devastated. His case illustrates the rapid escalation possible in missing persons incidents and the challenges of coordinating searches across jurisdictions. The “Help” text suggests he was in distress, but the circumstances remain unclear, leaving loved ones grappling with unanswered questions. This tragic outcome underscores the urgency of swift action in such cases.

Whistler and Pemberton, BC Mystery: Disappearance of Jonathan Jette and Rachael Bagnall

Missing Persons Report: Jonathan Jette and Rachael Bagnall

Case Overview

Jonathan Jette, age 34, and Rachael Bagnall, age 25, vanished on September 3rd, 2010 (Friday), while hiking in a mountainous region north of Pemberton, British Columbia, near Whistler. The couple, both experienced outdoor enthusiasts, were last seen preparing for a 2-3 day climb in the rugged backcountry of the Sea to Sky Corridor.

Personal Details

• Jonathan Jette
  • Age at Disappearance: 34
  • Physical Description: Approximately 5’8”, slender build, 154 lbs, brown hair (receding), and hazel eyes. Likely dressed in outdoor gear suitable for hiking, including a backpack and sturdy boots.
  • Background: Described as an avid hiker with knowledge of the local terrain, Jette was familiar with Whistler and Pemberton’s trails.
  • Canada's Missing Profile: Jonathan Jette and Rachael Bagnall
• Rachael Bagnall
  • Age at Disappearance: 25
  • Physical Description: Approximately 5’6”, medium build, 146 lbs, blonde curly shoulder-length hair, and blue eyes. Likely wearing hiking attire, possibly including a jacket and outdoor pants.
  • Background: Bagnall was also an experienced hiker, often exploring the backcountry with Jette. The couple shared a passion for outdoor adventures.
  • Canada's Missing Profile: Jonathan Jette and Rachael Bagnall

Circumstances of Disappearance

On September 3rd, 2010, Jette and Bagnall set out for a 2-3 day climb in the Pemberton area, north of Whistler, British Columbia. Specific details about their intended route are scarce, but the region is known for its dense forests, steep cliffs, and unpredictable weather, even in early September.

The couple did not return as expected, prompting friends to alert authorities. Their vehicle was located, but they left their cell phones behind, an unusual choice for experienced hikers. It has been suggested that this was possibly to disconnect or to avoid tracking. No distress signals were reported.

Search Efforts

A large-scale search was launched, involving Whistler Search and Rescue, RCMP, and volunteer teams. The operation covered remote trails, valleys, and forested areas in the Pemberton-Whistler corridor, lasting over a month. Despite extensive efforts, including aerial support, no trace of Jette or Bagnall was found—no clothing, equipment, or remains. The rugged terrain, dense vegetation, and wildlife likely obscured evidence, complicating the search.

A Pique Newsmagazine article by Alison Taylor, published on September 1st, 2011, offered poignant details on Jette and Bagnall’s disappearance. The couple, described as soulmates, stopped at Tim Hortons in Squamish before parking at Spetch Creek Forest Service Road, aiming for Valentine Lake. Lacking a map, compass, or GPS, they relied on a scrambling guidebook. Over 2,000 search hours, including a 2011 family-led effort, found only nail clippers and a fire pit. Memorials honored Bagnall in Prince George and UBC, and Jette in Vancouver. Read more at Pique Newsmagazine.

Theories and Commentary

The disappearance of Jette and Bagnall has fueled speculation due to its alignment with other mysterious cases in the region. Several theories have emerged:

1. Environmental Misadventure: The Pemberton area’s challenging landscape, with sudden drop-offs, fast-moving rivers, and dense forests, could have led to an accident.
2. Foul Play: The decision to leave phones behind raises questions. Some, including researcher David Paulides, author of Missing 411, suggest this could indicate an intentional act to evade detection, though no evidence supports foul play.
3. Lost or Disoriented: Despite their experience, the couple may have underestimated the terrain or become disoriented.
4. Connection to the “BC Triangle”: BC's topography is contributor to the missing cases, in my opinion.

Community and Media Impact

The case garnered significant attention due to the couple’s active lifestyle and the absence of clues. Whistler and Pemberton communities rallied during the search, with local media covering the story extensively. The case remains a topic in true crime circles and is featured in David Paulides’ Missing 411 series. Paulides’ theories, like many on my blog, are speculative and not officially endorsed by authorities.

Current Status

As of July 2nd, 2025, Jonathan Jette and Rachael Bagnall remain missing. No new leads have surfaced, and the case is classified as unresolved by the Sea to Sky RCMP.

Commentary

I agree with most opinions regarding this case, that leaving the phones behind remains a large clue. I could think of a good reason why you might do that. Mainly, if you felt that space was entirely limited in your packing. However, phones are too small to be too burdensome and the costs-benefits of including them are worth it for hiking.

That the batteries would have died during a 2-3 day hike is not too relevant. Hikers often power off their phones to save for emergencies.

What stands out with this case is that they went missing as a couple. I profiled some missing hiker's and the risk factors a few years ago on this blog. The cases I looked at involved individuals hiking alone for the most part. In cases where people hiked in groups, the missing person often disappeared during a separation of some sort. But the other members of the group were the ones who reported the person missing (ie. they did not go missing themselves) and that's what makes a couple going missing on the same hike a bit odd.

It is, in fact, hard to accept two hikers going missing on the same hike as anything but very improbable. Usually, if one hiker suffers a mishap then the other goes for help. I don't how to calculate two hikers suffering separate mishaps on the same hike but it's improbable for sure. As for both hikers suffering a mishap that disappeared them simultaneously, of course that is possible and the imagination could run wild with scenarios.

On that matter, as food for thought, I will suggest that a bear with mange or one that is simply facing below-average body fat in the fall or late summer might attack two hikers. This has happened before, in fact, it happened in 2023 in Banff at about the same time of year. 

Similar Case That Has Been Resolved: Banff Bear Attack, 2023

A CBC News article by Kylee Pedersen, published on October 1st, 2023, reported the deaths of a common-law couple and their dog in a grizzly bear attack in Banff National Park, Alberta, on September 29th, 2023. The experienced backcountry hikers, camping in the Red Deer River Valley, sent a 5 p.m. check-in message before a GPS alert signaled the attack at 8 p.m.

Harsh weather delayed responders, who found the couple deceased and euthanized the aggressive bear. The case details did note that the bear had below normal body fat, suggesting that a bear facing hunger in the fall might be more likely to attack people than bears that found their normal food sources.

Getting back to the case of Jette and Bagnall, bears around Pemberton go into hyperphagia in late August or September. This is when they are storing body fat for hibernation.

Similar Case That Has Been Resolved: José and Stephanie Perez

A Metro News article, published on May 9th, 2025, details the disappearance of José Luis Perez, 64, and Stephanie Elizabeth Perez, 65. This is an interesting case, in my opinion, as it is about people who vanished in July 2024 while hiking near Sunrise and Autumn Trails in Thousand Oaks, California. 

Reported missing after Stephanie failed to log in for work, their belongings, including their phones, were left at home. A hiker found their skeletal remains in May 2025, revealing gunshot wounds—José’s death ruled a suicide, Stephanie’s a homicide. The case remains under investigation. Read more at Metro News.

This case is similar for the phones being left behind. Furthermore, the missing Californians were not immediately found. Whether the reason for the disappearance (ie. murder-suicide), will be the same for Jette and Bagnall is a matter for debating and resolution.

Missing 411: Western United States and Canada

by David Paulides

Uncover mysterious disappearances in parks with this gripping investigation.

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Patricia Weeks, Murdered but Missing: Unsolved Since April 1968, Las Vegas Disappearance

Missing Person: Patricia Weeks

Details from a government source (might be paraphrased): 

Patricia Weeks went missing from Las Vegas, Nevada approximately two weeks after her divorce from her husband was finalized. Patricia's vehicle was later found abandoned near the Las Vegas airport. Her ex-husband, Robert Weeks, was convicted of her murder in 1987 but would not disclose any further information on the location of Patricia.

 

Last contact: April 25th, 1968 (Thursday)
Last location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Age when Patricia Weeks disappeared: 34

Date of birth: April 26th, 1933 - April 25th, 1934 (based on her age at the time of her disappearance)

Sex: Female
Height in inches: 64 (approximation, often averaged from ranges)

Weight in pounds (lbs): 140 (approximation, often averaged from ranges)

BMI: 23.9 - This is in the healthy range. This calculation helps in attempting to picture what Patricia Weeks looked like.

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Hair color: Blond/Strawberry

Eye Color: Unknown

Scar or distinctive characteristic:

Link to Government Source: MP55650 (right-click to open)

Websleuths discussion page: Patricia Weeks (right-click to open)

Commentary and Research

By: Shane Lambert

Original time of writing: March 9th, 2025

Has Patricia Weeks been found?

Patricia Weeks remains missing as of March 2025. However, this case is not as clouded in mystery as many other missing person cases. Her ex-husband, Robert Weeks, was convicted of murdering her. Her fate, in many important ways, is known but the location of her body is not known.

The case is significant because of the conviction without the body. In a lot of jurisdictions over time, this would not have been possible or it would have been incredibly difficult to accomplish from a legal perspective.

The case of Kathy Goad is a case in point, a woman who went missing in Texas in the 1980s. Despite hair samples being found in the trunk of a car of a man who was known to have made inappropriate advances toward her, the prosecutors employed the 'no body, no murder' logic.

Vehicle at Airport Series

Furthermore, this case was a part of a "vehicle at airport series" tag that I produced. In this tag, I look at several cases where the missing person's vehicle was found at an airport.

In all of these cases, the debate is between two scenarios: 

1. Did the missing person voluntarily disappear and hop on a flight?
2. Did someone who killed the missing person plant her vehicle there to make it look that way?

In the case of Patricia Weeks, it is clear that she did not hop on a flight. 

Robert Weeks: Convicted of Murder

Robert Weeks was the type of man who did not accept rejection from women well. His marriage to Patricia was marked by abusiveness and restricted freedoms for her.

After he murdered Patricia and well before his conviction for doing so, he had women impersonate her so that he could sell her property. He was clearly a clandestine individual in more ways than one with embezzlement part of his crimes as well.

Two other women who ended a romantic relationship with Weeks ended up dead a short time later, those being Cynthia Jabour and Carol Ann Riley. In July 1987, Weeks is indicted for the murders of Patricia and Cynthia Jabour. He is found guilty in April 1988. 

Carol Ann Riley and Cynthia Jabour are also still missing as of the time of this article. Jabour was last seen on October 5th or 10th, 1980 (NamUs profile has contradictions). Riley was last seen on April 5th, 1986.

April 6th, 1988. Reno-Gazette Journal.

What Happened After the Unsolved Mysteries Episode?

Robert Weeks was on the lam in the years leading up to his indictment in July 1987. The hit television show, Unsolved Mysteries, featured his case. The show led viewers to identify Weeks in the spring of 1987.

The court case against Weeks had 52 witnesses, perhaps showing just how much evidence it takes to convict someone of murder without a body. Furthermore, Weeks had made statements in his own diary that implicated him in the disappearances.

Where is Patricia Weeks?

My recommendation is not to work on this case too hard as a researcher. Justice has been served and the killer, Robert Weeks, is long dead (1996). He won't be providing any clues to what happened.

Furthermore, it appears as though he was good at hiding bodies as evidenced that three women associated with him who disappeared have never been found. By my research, he didn't go far away from the abduction point so Patricia Weeks is likely close to Las Vegas still. Also, her car was found at an airport, which he presumably planted there. But he seemed to have enough clandestine know-how that I do wonder if any of these three women will ever be found.

April 23rd, 1988. Reno-Gazette Journal.

Marisol Hernandez: Missing from San Antonio, TX Since January 16, 2004 - Unsolved Case

Missing Person: Marisol Hernandez

NOT the actual vehicle. Example of a green 1996 Ford Mustang.

Notes on the pictures:

The first image is of Marisol Hernandez. The second is an example of a green 1996 Ford Mustang, not her actual car, included to illustrate the vehicle she was driving.

Details from a government source (might be paraphrased):

Marisol was last seen at approximately 8:30 a.m. on January 16, 2004, at Avance Head Start Child Care on Acme Castroville Roads, San Antonio, after dropping off her toddler daughter. She was driving a green 1996 Ford Mustang, license plate F19SBT. Her car was later found locked and abandoned at a strip mall in the 4800 block of W. Commerce.

Last contact: January 16, 2004 (Friday), approximately 8:30 a.m.
Last location: San Antonio, Texas - Avance Head Start Child Care on Acme Castroville Roads
Age when Marisol Hernandez disappeared: 32
DOB: She would have been born between January 17th, 1971 and January 16th, 1972
Sex: Female
Height in inches: 62
Weight in pounds (lbs): 130
BMI: 23.77 - Healthy weight (calculated to help picture what Marisol might have looked like)
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Hair color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Distinctive Features: Pierced ears; red heart tattoo on upper left arm
Link to Government Source: NamUs MP4285 (right-click to open)
Websleuths discussion page: Marisol Hernandez Case (right-click to open)

Clothing Worn When Last Seen

Item	Description	Details	Source
Jeans	Dark blue Gap jeans	Worn on January 16, 2004	The Charley Project
Sweater	Black long-sleeve with white collar	Layered under another sweater	The Charley Project
Sweater	Black button-down	Worn over the long-sleeve sweater	The Charley Project
Shoes	Black closed-toe Easy Spirit	Size 6½	The Charley Project
Handbag	Black Fiesta Texas handbag	Red sides with white lettering	The Charley Project
Phone	Silver Sprint flip camera phone	Carried at the time	The Charley Project

Unraveling the Mystery: Key Insights and Updates

By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: March 12, 2025

Has Marisol Hernandez been found?

As of March 2025, Marisol remains missing. Her home was in the 2400 block of Rivas Street, San Antonio, but she was last seen at Avance Head Start Child Care. Her car was found locked and abandoned on January 19, 2004, three days after she vanished, at a strip mall 1-2 miles away on West Commerce Street [KSAT, Jan 19, 2004]. The San Antonio Police searched extensively, but no major leads emerged. Her family, including sister Mary Lou Castillo, emphasized her role as a mother of three.

What does the vehicle discovery suggest?

She might have been shopping, but an in-mall abduction seems unlikely due to witnesses and security. A parking lot abduction—either as she exited or returned to her Mustang—is more plausible, given her small frame, though her family responsibilities complicate this theory. Furthermore, the theory is complicated by the fact that her car was found three days after he disappearance. This raises the question as to whether it sat in the parking lot for three days or if it was moved there close to the time when it was discovered.

Unexplained Words: Marisol’s Last Statement and Theories

Marisol reportedly told her mother, “Mom, if I don’t return, it’s because someone killed me,” on the day she vanished [KSAT, Jan 16, 2004]. Verbal statements like these are hard to authenticate, leaving questions about whether she sensed imminent danger.

According to her boyfriend Justin Meece, Marisol was set to meet her ex, Mark Martinez, at the Attorney General’s office on January 16, 2004, to discuss child support, though Martinez denied a scheduled meeting [KSAT, Feb 6, 2004]. Her sister Mary Lou Castillo also noted she was meeting someone about her kids but never made it [KSAT, Jan 26, 2004]. Martinez, the father of her two younger children and a person of interest who refused a polygraph test, remains unlinked by definitive evidence to her disappearance.

Although the remark’s authenticity is uncertain, it might have been a casual comment that later seemed prophetic or it could reflect Marisol’s awareness of a threat around her. Similar cases include Susan Powell, Amber Guichelaar, and Kathleen Savio, who made eerie predictions before their fates, suggesting a pattern worth considering in unresolved mysteries like this.

Name	What they said/wrote	Circumstances	Outcome
Marisol Hernandez	"Mom, if I don’t return, it’s because someone killed me."	Disappeared January 16, 2004, after meeting a child’s father.	Never found; statement unverified.
Susan Powell	"If I die, it may not be an accident."	Disappeared December 7, 2009; husband a suspect.	Body never found; husband killed self and sons.
Amber Guichelaar	"Am I safe sleeping next to him?"	Found dead November 16, 2020; husband convicted.	Husband sentenced to prison.
Kathleen Savio	Told friends her ex might harm her.	Found dead February 29, 2004; ex convicted.	Ex-husband Drew Peterson convicted.

How You Can Help

If you have information, contact the San Antonio Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at (210) 207-7660 [KSAT, Jan 19, 2004] or submit a tip via NamUs MP4285. Sharing this post could bring Marisol’s family closer to closure.

Use Wayback Machine for Old Links Related to this Case

For those interested in diving deeper into Marisol Hernandez’s disappearance, the Wayback Machine offers a valuable resource to access archived news articles that are no longer available on live websites. One particularly insightful article is available at this KSAT link from February 6, 2004. This piece, titled "Missing Woman's Boyfriend Ruled Out As Suspect," provides detailed accounts from her boyfriend Justin Meece about her planned child support meeting with Mark Martinez, alongside Martinez’s denial of the meeting, offering critical context to the events of January 16, 2004. Readers are encouraged to explore this archived report to better understand the early investigation and the lingering questions surrounding her case.

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Kimberly Jane Britts: Car Found on Highway, Woman Missing Since April 6, 1985

Missing Person: Kimberly Jane Britts

Details from a government source (might be paraphrased): Her unattended vehicle was located on Interstate 64 eastbound ramp at Route 616 in Albemarle County. Signs of red stains in the vehicle and Britts has never been located. Britt was temporarily living at a farm in Goochland County (central coordinates for the county: 37.6806° N, 77.8853° W).

Last contact: April 6th, 1985 (Saturday)
Last location: Charlottesville, Virginia, according to NamUs. If the location of her car is to be taken as her last known location, then it would be at Route 616 and Interstate 64. Route 616 is also known as Black Cat Road on modern Google Maps..
Age when Kimberly Jane Britts disappeared: 21
DOB: Between April 7th, 1963 and April 6th, 1964
Sex: Female
Height in inches: 62
Weight in pounds (lbs): 103
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Hair color: Brown, shoulder length, straight, and combed back
Eye Color: Brown
Scar or distinctive characteristic: Round dime-size circular scar on the middle of the forehead; additional scar
Car: Maroon and red Honda Civic Hatchback with plate FBY426

This is not the actual car. It's an AI generated image based on vehicle descriptions.

Link to Government Source: MP11604 (right-click to open)

BMI means body mass index. It is meant to describe someone's healthy body weight relative to the individual's height. It is only food for thought because it does not account for all body types. Kimberly Jane Britts had a BMI of 18.84. She was at a healthy weight by BMI standards at the time of her disappearance.

Clothing and Accessories:

At the time of her disappearance on April 6th, 1985, Kimberly Jane Britts was believed to be wearing a pullover shirt, blue jeans, a gold and diamond wedding ring set, and a gold chain necklace. She was also carrying a burgundy Aigner purse featuring a handle and a zipper. According to the reports for her, this purse went missing.

Source: The Charley Project.

Commentary and Research

By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: March 10th, 2025

Has Kimberly Jane Britts been found?

At the time of writing, Kimberly Jane Britts was still missing. Furthermore, there is not much online in terms of recent news. The online hits for her are the usual suspects: Charley Project, Facebook posts, Wiki pages, and niche websites.

What stood out with this case is that her car was found, her purse was missing, and there was blood in the car. When last seen, she had said she was leaving for a short time with plans to return. She left in her vehicle but has never been seen again.

Good Samaritan's Ruse: What's Happened to Female Motorists Before

The location of the vehicle is interesting. If it had been found at a mall, store, or airport, then different speculation or conjecture would result. In these scenarios, she's more likely to have been abducted at a place of business or while using the public sidewalk.

But the vehicle was found on the side of the highway and therein lies a bit of a mystery. How do you abduct someone from a moving vehicle?

Abductors in other cases have done it with a ruse. They alert the driver of the vehicle to a false alarm, encourage her to pull over, and then commit their crime at that point.

The scene involving Kathleen Johns in the film Zodiac depicts a Good Samaritan's Ruse. A mysterious man honks at a female motorist, she pulls over believing there's an emergency, he makes a false claim about the state of her vehicle, he then sabotages her vehicle while claiming to help her, and then he offers the woman a ride. When she accepts, she is then in his custody.



I think a lot of times when a missing woman's vehicle is found roadside or especially highwayside, some kind of Good Samaritan's Ruse has played out. There are other scenarios, like the vehicle being ditched there or simply something else happening. But I've covered the ruse at other blog posts on this site, which the reader can review.

Further reading: Women With Car Troubles Go Missing

If your car is operating perfectly fine from your perspective, then don't take the word of a stranger who shows up claiming the opposite. I guess it would only be natural to inspect the vehicle at some point, but I would get to a visible spot.

Kimberly Jane Britts: A Deeper Dive

The Connecticut River Valley Killer (CRVK) stands out as an intriguing figure to Kimberly Jane Britts’ disappearance on April 6th, 1985, due to his confirmed activity during that precise time frame and his habit of targeting women on highways.

This unidentified serial killer, linked to at least seven murders between 1978 and 1988, was active around Britts’ vanishing, with murders of Bernice Courtemanche on May 30, 1984, in Claremont, New Hampshire, and Eva Marie Morse on July 10, 1985, in Charlestown, New Hampshire (New Hampshire DOJ, ongoing updates). These killings, 13 months apart, frame April 1985, suggesting he was operational when Britts vanished (Wikipedia, last updated 2023).

By Murder, She Told - https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/jane-boroski, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=133649378

Connecticut River Valley Killer: A Highway Predator Linked to Britts?

Primarily known for crimes in New Hampshire and Vermont—400–500 miles north of Virginia—the CRVK’s whereabouts are untracked during gaps between his suspected murders. The stretch between Courtemanche’s disappearance in Claremont and Morse’s in Charlestown leaves his location unknown for 13 months, a window where travel to Virginia isn’t impossible. Serial killers like Ted Bundy roamed widely, and the CRVK’s anonymity means a southern detour in 1985 can’t be ruled out, despite his northern base.

Online, the association between the CRVK and Britts’ case is rare but not absent. While major platforms like Websleuths and Reddit focus heavily on the CRVK’s New England victims, a few users on Reddit’s r/UnresolvedMysteries have speculated about broader connections, including Virginia cases, though Britts’ name isn’t explicitly tied to him often.

The Charley Project and NamUs detail Britts’ disappearance without mentioning the CRVK, and no recent news links them directly. However, the highway context and timing have sparked occasional armchair detective theories, though these lack evidence and remain niche discussions.

His method heightens his relevance: he attacked women on highways, often with brutal stabbings. Courtemanche and Morse were hitchhikers, nabbed along Route 12, but his scope widened. Jane Boroski survived a 1988 stabbing at a rest stop, and Barbara Agnew, a motorist, was killed near a highway on January 10, 1987. Britts’ car, abandoned on I-64 at Route 616, fits this pattern—a lone woman, possibly ambushed.

The red stains in Britts’ vehicle, presumed blood, align with the CRVK’s MO. Courtemanche and Morse were stabbed to death, their remains found near Claremont and Unity, New Hampshire, with frenzied knife attacks. Stabbing fits better than bludgeoning. Though his range is distant, his active period, highway focus, and style—active between May 30, 1984, and July 10, 1985—make him a fascinating candidate in Britts’ unsolved case.

Kathy M. Goad Missing: Unsolved Disappearance from Fort Worth, Texas in 1982

Missing Person: Kathy M. Goad
Full Name: Kathy Mae Brownfield Goad

Details from a Government Source (Paraphrased):

Namus: On November 11th, 1982, Kathy was going shopping instead of to her job at a bank. She disappeared that day. On November 15th, 1982, her vehicle was found abandoned in a parking lot at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Foul play is possible.

Last Contact: November 11th, 1982 (Thursday, Veterans Day in the U.S.)
Last Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Age When Disappeared: 20
Birthdate: August 17th, 1962 (Charley Project)

Sex: Female
Height: 65 inches (5’5”)
Weight: 110 lbs
BMI: 18.3 (normal range)

Ethnicity: Caucasian
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Green
Scars/Distinctive Characteristics: No known information

Government Source: NamUs MP8539
Websleuths Discussion: Kathy M. Goad

Search tips: She primarily made the news in Texas and Kentucky. She was from the latter state but resided in the former at the time of her disappearance.

Commentary and Research

By Shane Lambert
Originally written: March 9th - March 14th, 2025

Has Kathy M. Goad Been Found?

As of March 16th, 2025, Kathy Goad remains missing. Her NamUs profile (MP8539) is still active, indicating an unresolved case.

One thing that I wanted to state is that I don't like the NamUs description. I am worried some readers might get misled.

As it sounds, it reads like she decided to go shopping instead of going to her bank job. But November 11th, 1982, was Veterans Day, a federal holiday. While not all banks closed, many did, or operated with reduced staff.

It’s likely Kathy, a bank employee, had the day off, making her shopping trip unremarkable, not a deviation suggesting something was amiss on its own. I read that she was going to the mall to exchange some items the day she disappeared.

She seemed to have a stable routine in her life. She had worked at the bank, her place of employment, since high school, according to an article in the February 20th, 1983, Park City Daily News.

Not Thought to Have Boarded a Flight

This article is part of my "vehicle at airport series." For these articles, the tag denotes case where a missing person's vehicle is found at an airport. I've come to the opinion that this is usually done as a way of misleading investigators.

Kathy’s vehicle was found at DFW Airport on November 15th, 1982, but that doesn’t mean she took a flight. Per Charley Project and Websleuths, no flight records match her departure. Physical evidence, like hairs linking Kathy to a car salesman’s vehicle (more below), suggests she never reached the terminal.

Her husband, Steven Goad, is the person who found the car. Some might take that as evidence of him 'conveniently' knowing where it was. I took it to me he was exhaustive in searching for her. That the husband might have done something because he found the car was explored and abandoned as a lead early in the investigation. He also convincingly passed a lie detector test.

A Car Salesman’s Shadow: A Theory

What happened to Kathy? One compelling lead points to a car salesman from Hurst, Texas.

What follows is a constructed scenario based on available evidence and critical reasoning, aiming to provide clues to her fate. But first, I will bullet point some matters of fact. The following are true details, according to the early journalism of this case:

• The salesman, after selling the truck to Kathy and her husband, saw Kathy two other times; once at her home when she was locked out and once at a restaurant. That was noted in the Park City Daily News on February 20th, 1983.

• Reportedly, he made advances toward her the day she purchased the truck with her husband.
• In a different case, the salesman damaged a woman's car (called a "girl" in reporting) after she refused a sexual advance. This act led to his firing.
• He was arrested for the vehicle damage.
• The salesman, who became a suspect, agreed but then refused to take a lie detector test.
• The investigators took hair samples from the trunk of the salesman's demo car, and these samples matched hair samples from a brush and roller that belonged to Kathy Goad.
• The salesman had a history of sexual assault, assault, and criminal mischief. He had been charged with rape before.

July 31st, 1983. Courier-Journal.

• A witness claimed he saw the suspect put concrete blocks and a cord in the back of the car, where the missing person's hair was found (December 3rd, 1984/Courier Journal) on the afternoon of the day Kathy disappeared.

Concrete blocks and cords could be used to weigh down a body.

• As of December 3rd, 1984, the suspect was in jail, either for assaulting or raping a woman. (December 3rd, 1984/Courier-Journal).
• He had a 14-year sentence and was in a penitentiary in Huntsville.

Since he was fired, I assumed that the vehicle damage he did was to a client's car. However, it might have been on his personal time.

Meeting Up With a Salesman Not To Be Ignored

The first bullet was of extreme importance. In between the date when Kathy purchased the truck from the salesman and her disappearance, she had 'chance' encounters with the salesman: once at a restaurant and once at her home when she was locked out.

Firstly, I don't think the meetings are random. I think he was stalking her.

Secondly, that he was 'on the spot' when she needed help getting back into her house is very weird. It does prove that he, at least, learned of her address if this was a random encounter.

The paperwork associated with a vehicle purchase would have provided the car salesman with access to the missing person's address. He made a sexual advance toward her, showed up at her home on another occasion, and ended up in jail long-term for a serious offense against another woman.

However, on this occasion I think he was probably stalking her and that he used the fact that she was locked out to reacquaint himself at this point. For me, the fact that he was at her house is clear evidence that he knew her address somehow. In my theory below, I assume that he simply got her address from the paperwork involved in the truck purchase at the dealership. But even if him meeting Kathy and her home is a random thing where he was just passing by, the bottom line is he knew where she lived by the date of her disappearance.

A Theory on What Happened to Kathy Goad

The following sections are my guess on what happened to Kathy Goad after a lot of research into her case.

Theorized: Morning, November 11th, 1982 (Veterans Day) – East Fort Worth

Kathy, a 20-year-old newlywed, has Veterans Day off at her bank job. She is going to shop, likely at North East Mall in Hurst, 10 miles from her East Fort Worth home.

Not long ago, she and her husband bought a truck from a Hurst dealership. The salesman for the vehicle, known for inappropriate advances, is said to have made an advance toward Kathy.

In my theory, I suggest that he accessed her address from the paperwork of the vehicle sale. He had met up with her twice before, according to the journalism covering this missing person's case, at about the time of the disappearance. I think he had been stalking her fairly steadily ever since she and her husband bought the truck.

According to my research, dealerships commonly took people's addresses for vehicle purchases in Texas in 1982. This was needed for any purchase that required financing, and it was still standard for record-keeping and warranty purposes, even for purchases that did not require financing.

The car salesman was extremely likely to have had access to her address based solely on her buying a vehicle from him. That's corroborated by the fact that he ended up showing up at her house the day she got locked out.

In my theory, he is stalking her on Veterans Day 1982. As a holiday, it stands to reason he has the day off as well and therefore has the leisure time to stalk her.

Theorized: Midday – North East Mall Parking Lot, Hurst

Kathy parks at the mall, unaware that the salesman has followed her. As she exits her car, he approaches—perhaps pretending it’s a coincidence and/or using the truck as an excuse. His familiarity lowers her guard. He lures her to his demo car, then attacks her or maybe chloroforms her. Her hairs, later found in the vehicle he operated, mark this moment. He locks her in the trunk unconscious and drives off, leaving her car behind.

Theorized: Afternoon – Murder and Disposal

His prior advances and criminal history (assault, harassment) suggest a motive—rejection turned violent. The salesman rapes and murders Kathy Goad. That afternoon, he loaded concrete blocks and cord into his vehicle, as supported by an eyewitness. In my theory, he is doing this to sink Kathy's body somewhere.

The salesman heads to a secluded spot, possibly near Lake Worth or Eagle Mountain Lake, 10-20 miles from Hurst. He hides the body well.

Theorized: Evening to November 15th – Staging Kathy's Car

With Kathy’s keys (taken during the abduction), the salesman returns to the mall at some point. He drives her car to DFW Airport, and abandons it by November 15th. The four-day gap implies he hid the car first and then moved it during the night at some point. He is doing it to suggest she’d fled in hopes of confusing the investigators, whom he knows are coming. He returns to Hurst using a taxi or transit.

Aftermath: Not Theorized

The salesman did, in fact, end up fired after an unrelated arrest (damaging a woman’s car). Police then found Kathy’s hair in the demo car he used, and an informant shared the second-hand confession. 

Furthermore, Kathy's family hired an investigator who did not believe much the salesman said. The salesman agrees to a lie detector test but withdraws. Also, the salesman ends up in jail on a fourteen-year sentence for a crime against another woman.

As for Kathy's case, second-hand confessions aren't good for much. Without her body, prosecutors decline to charge him in 1983. The case goes cold - and here we are.

Why My Theory Fits

• Address Access: Sales records gave him her East Fort Worth address, enabling stalking. Journalism covering the case supports the notion that he had her address by November 11th, 1982.
• Hairs: Forensic evidence ties Kathy to his demo car, suggesting he abducted her. Those hairs are in the trunk, further suggesting abduction. Sometimes teenagers ride in the trunks of cars for lack of a seat. But when missing people are linked to a car trunk, it's only because they were there against their wills, either unconscious or restrained.
• Airport: The car’s location at an airport could easily be just deliberate misdirection as she was a happy newlywed. It's common for missing people to have their vehicles found at airport parking lots. They rarely have documented flights from the same airports.
• Lake: The informant’s tip and local geography point to a hidden disposal site.
• Profile: His previous behavior and job firing make him an interesting person to incorporate into the hypothetical scenario. His profile is clearly that of a misogynist.

Conclusion

This theory posits the salesman stalked Kathy from her home, abducted her from a mall parking lot, killed her, and dumped her body in a lake, using her car to mislead investigators.

Could Lake Worth or Eagle Mountain Lake hold the final clue? As of now, Kathy’s fate and what happened to her remains unsolved.

Debra A. Cressotti: Missing from Blandford, MA Since April 30, 1985 - Unsolved Case

Missing Person: Debra A. Cressotti

Aliases: I found that she might have been called Debra B. Cressotti in addition to Debra A. Cressotti. Also, I saw Debra A. Balcom-Cressotti, with the B. presumably standing for Balcom and perhaps that being her maiden name or a name from a previous marriage.

Furthermore, when it came to searching in newspaper databases, I found that I had to use "Deborah" to get some hits.

Details from a government source (might be paraphrased): Missing from Blandford, Massachusetts.

Last contact: April 30th, 1985 (Tuesday)

Last location: Blandford, Massachusetts

Age when Debra A. Cressotti disappeared: 29

DOB: July 13th, 1955

Sex: Female

Height in inches: 65

Weight in pounds (lbs): 135

• Debra A. Cressotti/s BMI was 22.46. She was at a healthy weight by BMI standards at the time of her disappearance.

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Hair color: Brown, sometimes worn in ponytail, also sometimes dyed blonde

Eye color: Blue

Scar or distinctive characteristic: Scar on right knee, prior pelvic fracture (this latter injury would likely show in skeletal remains, if found)

Link to Government Source: MP11224 (right-click to open)

Husband or long-time boyfriend: Benjamin J. Cressotti - 

• "I haven't heard from her. She just up and left."
• He also claimed that she had another boyfriend.

Debra and Benjamin were plaintiffs in a legal matter a couple of years before Debra disappeared. The snippet of that runs along the side, taken from the November 29th, 1983 edition of The Republican. 

In some newspaper articles I read, Debra is referred to as Benjamin's wife, but the spelling is "Deborah." In one article, she was described as Benjamin's long-term girlfriend. According to a January 27th, 1995 article Debra took Cressotti's name but they were never legally married. Reportedly, they also had a son together (Nicholas).

Vehicle: Charley Project describes the vehicle that was found at the airport as a "Brown 1975 Chevrolet 210 crew cab pickup truck with the Massachusetts license plate number AE33553 (accounted for)." The picture below is a likeness as opposed to the actual vehicle.

Not the actual vehicle. Generated based on the description.

Websleuths discussion page: Debra A. Cressotti (right-click to open)

A second picture of Debra Cressotti is listed below.

I found lots of classified advertisements that implied or suggested that she was a missing person. However, I only found one newspaper article that explicitly referenced her disappearance. It's below and it came from The Republican on January 27th, 1995.

Commentary and Research

By: Shane Lambert

Original time of writing: March 8th-15th, 2025

Has Debra A. Cressotti been found?

Debra Cressotti vanished from Blandford, MA, on April 30th, 1985. The circumstances around her disappearance are hard to find online, even when behind paywalls. At least, the circumstances immediately surrounding her disappearance were hard to find. Looking at the broader context, this was someone who had some dangerous associations, in my opinion.

But on the day of her disappearance, her brown 1975 Chevrolet pickup truck was found at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. This was about 30 to 35 miles away from her home. There was no evidence (e.g., flight records) to show she boarded a plane.

I think most of the speculation on this missing person has to do with the location of her vehicle. Did she voluntarily disappear and that's why her vehicle was found at the airport? Or did someone disappear her against her will and then plant her vehicle at the airport so that we'd all think she left on her own account? I hope to reposition the speculation to focus on the strange circumstances involving people in her life both before and after her disappearance date.

In researching this case, I found that it was complicated by fire/arson, legal proceedings, insurance, and the clandestine.

Legal Notice in December 1988 First Available Document Suggesting She's Missing

A legal notice published in the Springfield Republican on December 16th, 1988, confirms that Debra A. Cressotti, missing since April 30th, 1985, from Blandford, Massachusetts, was considered an "absentee" by that date. Her whereabouts were unknown during a probate court proceeding that Benjamin J. Cressotti initiated. However, a 1995 article stated that she had been missing for ten years, which grounds her 1985 disappearance in documentation that is available online.

The 1988 legal matter pertained to a fire insurance claim for a property in Blandford destroyed on February 10th, 1988. The notice, addressing Debra directly to appear in court by January 1989, highlights that over three years after her disappearance, no definitive proof of her fate existed. This supported theories of either voluntary departure or foul play. 

Not Much News Covering Her Disappearance

Usually, when people are missing, there is a news source to consult at about the time of the disappearance. In Cressotti's case, researchers looking for early journalism have to rely on what is implied in classified-advertisement legal notices. That made this case a little bit different to research, however, there are other cases like that.

In the past, I've taken that to mean that no family members were actively pushing for a resolution. I've also thought it has meant police indifference to a disappearance.

1984 Blandford Arson Fire: A Clue in Debra Cressotti’s Disappearance?

The events leading up to Debra's disappearance are what I decided to focus on in this case. A fire, which ended up leading to an arson conviction, was the major event in the year before her disappearance.

Not the actual stallions but indicative of what Appaloosa stallions, mentioned below, looked like.

In April 1984, a fire erupted at a barn on George Millard Road in Blandford, Massachusetts. This fire killed two Appaloosa stallions valued at $10,000 each and caused $180,000 in damage to the property. 

The stallions belonged to Benjamin J. Cressotti, often described as either Debra's husband or long-time boyfriend.  According to the journalism at about that time, he leased space at the barn.

This fire would be designated as arson, according to journalism from April 1985, and that has major implications, in my opinion, for the kind of environment that Debra was in during the time frame leading up to her April 1985 disappearance.

It was hard to find details regarding what happened in her life between April 1984 and April 1985. However, after she disappeared, her husband's nephew, named James Cressotti, ended up convicted of starting the fire by his own admission. He would end up testifying against Benjamin Cressotti but this latter person received an innocent verdict.

At one point, he seemed to be missing himself. Journalism stated that he was thought to be out of the country prior to his trial. The entire timeline of what I could find with Benjamin J. Cressotti and Debra is tabled below.

Debra's Timeline as Tied to Her Disappearance and Benjamin J. Cressotti

Timeline of Events Related to Debra A. Cressotti’s Disappearance

Date	Event
October 13th, 1935	Benjamin J. Cressotti is born in Westfield, Massachusetts (per Find a Grave Memorial ID: 192265445).
July 13th, 1955	Debra A. Cressotti is born (per NamUs MP11224).
1977	Debra marries an unnamed individual (per Websleuths discussions).
1980	Debra divorces her first husband (per Websleuths discussions).
1982	Debra is mentioned in a news article for breeding Shar-Pei dogs (per Websleuths reference).
November 29th, 1983	The Republican publishes a legal notice listing Benjamin and Debra Cressotti as plaintiffs in a legal matter (per earlier discussion).
December 16th, 1983	The Republican publishes two legal notices involving Benjamin and Debra Cressotti. They have a complaint against Katherine Morrell Williams (The Republican, December 16th, 1983).
April 13th, 1984	A fire at a barn on George Millard Road, Blandford, kills two Appaloosa stallions valued at $10,000 each (triple the value to get to 2025 numbers). These horses were owned by Benjamin J. Cressotti. (The Berkshire Eagle, April 14th, 1984). This business would later be reported as owned by Debra and Benjamin, but it didn't seem clear by all sources that that was the case. I believe Katherine Morrell Williams owned the barn.
April 22nd, 1984	The Morning Union reports: the April 13th, 1984, barn fire was ruled “definitely arson” by Fire Chief Thomas Ackley (The Morning Union, April 22nd, 1984).
April 30th, 1985	A year and a week later, we get to the missing person's official missing date. Debra A. Cressotti disappears from Blandford, Massachusetts, at age 29 (per NamUs MP11224). Her brown 1975 Chevrolet 210 pickup truck (license plate AE33553) is found the same day at Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, with no evidence she boarded a plane.
February 10th, 1988	A suspicious fire at the Maple Lane house in Blandford, co-owned by Debra and Benjamin, causes $80,000 in damage; the Cressotti family (obviously without Debra) was vacationing (The Republican, March 1st, 1988). The house burns to the ground but no charges are filed against anyone.
December 16th, 1988	The Republican publishes a legal notice confirming Debra A. Cressotti as an absentee, addressing a fire insurance claim for the February 10th, 1988, Maple Lane fire, valued at $132,500 with $17,400 in personal estate (The Republican, December 16th, 1988).
November 16th, 1989	The Republican reports two men—a Blandford man and his nephew from Westfield—are charged with arson and conspiracy for the 1984 barn fire (The Republican, November 16th, 1989).
December 7th, 1989	The Republican reports a warrant issued for Benjamin J. Cressotti for the 1984 barn fire, charging him with arson and conspiracy to defraud an insurer (The Republican, December 7th, 1989).
June 12th, 1990	The Republican reports that James Cressotti pleads guilty to arson and conspiracy for the 1984 fire. It is stated that Benjamin was thought to have left the country. (The Republican, June 12th, 1990).
Post-June 1990 (Likely Late 1990)	The Republican reports Benjamin J. Cressotti surrenders to court, pleading not guilty to arson and conspiracy charges for the 1984 fire (The Republican).
Late 1990/Early 1991	The Republican reports Benjamin J. Cressotti, 54, is found not guilty of conspiracy in the 1984 barn fire, his second acquittal after an earlier not guilty verdict on arson charges; James Cressotti, 33, testified against him (The Republican, date unspecified).
December 30th, 1994	Valle’s Steak House at 77 West St., Springfield, co-owned by Benjamin J. Cressotti, is firebombed (The Republican, January 27th, 1995).
January 27th, 1995	The Republican reports an investigation into the firebombed Valle’s Steak House, noting Benjamin’s co-ownership (The Republican, January 27th, 1995).
February 25th, 1995	The Republican reports that state and federal investigators recently reopened Debra’s 1985 disappearance case; Debra is described as Benjamin’s longtime girlfriend and mother of his son (The Republican, February 25th, 1995).
May 27th, 2004	The Republican publishes a legal notice for a tax foreclosure on the Maple Lane property, listing Debra and Benjamin as absentees, with a response deadline of July 5th, 2004 (The Republican, May 27th, 2004).
August 14th, 2018	Benjamin J. Cressotti dies at 82 in Southwick, Massachusetts, survived by children (including Keith Cressotti), former spouse Janice Cressotti, and others, with no mention of Debra (Find a Grave Memorial ID: 192265445).
March 15th, 2025	Current date, with Debra’s case still unresolved per NamUs (MP11224).

Theories on What Happened to Debra A. Cressottti

When I was finished with this case, I felt that she had been murdered. But there's simply nothing to tilt things heavily one way or another. There's no body, obvious motive, or witness statements that I could find. I felt like I was left with a gut instinct instead of something that clearly shifted my opinion.

I guess if I was to clarify, it has to do with my belief that the vehicle at the airport was a plant. If she was disappearing voluntarily, then I don't think she leaves behind that bread-crumb trail intentionally. Furthermore, the "vehicle at the airport" trick has been done to confuse investigators time and time again.

But could she have run off? I would say, "yes." 

It loomed large that the arson in April 1984 was the last thing that I could find that pertained to her life before she disappeared. This was a major event, the fire at the barn, because it put significant legal forces in motion that would have involved her to some extent. Furthermore, these legal matters were not hidden matters: they made the local news. Her dirty laundry was being aired in the public square.

I also felt that she could leave her situation in Blandford voluntarily, especially since she never legally married Benjamin J. Cressotti. She could walk away without needing a divorce.

On that matter, I did think that she was the type of person that might have aliases and I don't mean nicknames or maiden names. She could have hopped a flight and not left a paper trail, I think.

Her motive for doing that? It could just have been the increasing pressure of the mounting legal situation involving her boyfriend. She did have a son in the picture, but women have left children behind before.

One thing that I felt weakened the murder hypothesis is that I could not find any kind of effort to have Debra declared dead in absentia. I felt like that would have been pursued if someone knew she was dead. There is often a legal benefit to having someone declared legally dead.

At the end of researching this case, I could see that there were some clandestine activities in her circles leading up to her disappearance. But whether she left these voluntarily and simply took the name of a new boyfriend or was disappeared is not clear. I would think any amateurs that know how to research name changes would be able to offer something on this case.

Lastly, I do not think that she committed suicide near the time of her disappearance. If she did, then I don't see how the vehicle got to the airport. Moreover, if she committed suicide then there would be no need for someone to plant the vehicle there.