Phyllis Maue: Missing Since 1982 - Unsolved Disappearance Case

Missing Person's Name: Phyllis Maue

Middle initial: A.

Last contact: June 25th, 1982 (Friday); reportedly at about 2 PM

Age when she disappeared: 29

Sex: Female

Height in inches: 64 which is 5'4"

Weight in pounds (lbs): 120

Ethnicity: White/Caucasian

Hair color: Red/Auburn, long and shoulder-length

Eye Color: Brown, and can be wearing glasses

Scar or distinctive characteristic: Caesarian scar on abdomen

Family: Gregory Paul (son), Greg Maue (husband)

Details from a government source (might be paraphrased or details added): Phyllis Maue was last seen getting into a light brown Chevrolet Van, one block from her residence. She had a possible destination of New York. She was last seen wearing a red pullover shirt, blue jeans, and gym shoes. These could be cross-referenced to Jane Does on NamUs.

Link to government source: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/115557?nav

Commentary and Research

By: Shane Lambert

The Day Phyllis Maue Vanished

Phyllis Maue was last seen on June 25th, 1982, which was a Friday.

According to NamUs, she was last seen entering a Chevrolet Van and may have been heading to New York. However, most of the focus on this individual had to do with more local areas where she was last seen. I think searching in New York will likely prove fruitless.

xAI's Grok generated these images when asked to generate an image of a typical Chevrolet Van from the 1977 to 1982 period.

This is a case where I was able to find some journalism on the missing person. Her last known location was in Norwood, Ohio, a suburb or small city to the northeast of Cincinnati, Ohio. A friend last saw her at 2 PM on June 25th, 1982.

The first article on her disappearance that I was able to find appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer on Wednesday, March 23rd, 1983, titled "Police Ask Help in Finding Woman Missing Since June."

From this article we learn she was married to Greg Maue, she had a ten-year-old son, and that there was a letter from Cincinnati about this case. This letter, which was postmarked to that city, claimed that she was heading to New York City -- which was probably not true, in my opinion.

There were some marital problems in her life as the article above mentions a possible divorce. Another thing that stood out with this case is the letter. What does it mean when someone sends a letter saying that she is going to a far-away city but then is never heard from again?

Before speculating on that, let's stick to known facts. There was a classified advertisement for this missing person that appeared in 2006.

This advertisement claims that she was last in the presence of Samual Ray Phillips (July 1st, 2006; Cincinnati Enquirer), who died in 2004 in a car accident. I think the proper spelling of this person's name was Samuel Ray Phillips, with the "e" in his first name instead of an "a." 

I found a gravemarker on Findagravel.com for a Fairfield man of this name who died in 2004.

By my research, Samual is spelled wrong in this classified ad. Should be Samuel.

Samuel Ray Phillips

Born: November 7th, 1928

Death: January 24th, 2004

Gravemarker suggests a marriage to "Rose M." born in 1934 (possible Rosemary Brown).

Ancestry: This individual is on Ancestry

There was a second piece of journalism on Phyllis Maue in February 2006. Deborah Dixon of The Journal News headlined "Police say missing woman may be tied to Fairfield man." In this article, Ray Phillips is mentioned. It is also stated that police were planning some digs to search for her body. Other important details from this piece of journalism:

• Phyllis left an uncashed paycheque behind. Uncashed assets appear in quite a few missing persons cases. I think it suggests that the person, when last seen, did not plan to disappear voluntarily. If the MP did plan to disappear voluntarily, most would take their negotiables with them.
• Her husband received a nude photo of her in the mail that suggested an extramarital affair with Ray Phillips;
• Reportedly, Maue was going to end the affair on June 25th, 1982.

One interesting fact is that a handwriting expert looked at the letter from Phyllis Maue. He concluded that she did write the letter. However, the handwriting expert also stated that the letter writer was under stress as she wrote.

You have to wonder if an expert of this sort could discern a trembling hand from handwriting. Also, someone under duress might pause while writing -- and this could leave an ink blob. I think her handwriting would have to be compared to normal script. But, for sure, this is not an exact science but rather food for critical thought.

Has Phyllis Maue Been Found?

In my opinion, the totality of the scene suggests that a murder took place. The letter was used as a diversion. I think someone forced her to write it, believing that ostensibly placing her in New York City would explain what was going to be a prolonged...or permanent...absence.

This would help create a diversion and a length of time for the disappearance to be considered voluntary. The more time that passes, the more difficult it is for the authorities to solve the case.

Flat Tires and Cigarette Ashes: The 1981 Disappearance of Audrey Chin in Nassau County

Missing Person's Name: Audrey Chin

Last contact: July 8th, 1981 (Wednesday); another source says July 7th, 1981

Missing from: East Norwich, New York

Age when she disappeared: 20 (born June 1st, 1961)

Sex: Female

Height in inches: 57 (broad range given of 48 to 57 inches; would be 4'0" to 4'9"); another source calls her 4'10."

Weight in pounds (lbs): 90-100

Ethnicity: Asian (Chinese background)

Hair color: Black

Eye Color: Brown, wore glasses according to NamUs though not pictured with them in any photo I saw.

Scar or distinctive characteristic: Left side of nose freckle.

Facebook Group: Audrey Chin's Facebook Group for the Audrey Chin disappearance

Case Form E:

(1) Missing Person is Driving Without Passengers*

(2) Missing Person's Vehicle Breaks Down*

*Loose fit. This form is included as food for thought as the MP's vehicle was found in a damaged state.

Details from a government source (might be paraphrased): MP left her residence in her mother's vehicle. The car was located abandoned in Nassau County. Her vehicle was found in a parking lot at a diner on Old Country Road in Plainview with three flat tires, making this a "Car Found Person Missing" case. Other sources claim the number of flat tires was different.

The vehicle was a 1976 Chevrolet Nova (Chevy II and Concours). The vehicle was sedan-style (meaning it was a four-door car). The car was blue (the color is inconsistent between sources) with New York State plates of 258FCL. Another source called the car "tan" with a vinyl top.

This is not the actual car, nor it is the actual diner. Meant to show a likeness to Chin's vehicle based on the descriptions.

Link to government source: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/116093?nav

Audrey Chin. 19 Jul 1981, Sun Daily News (New York, New York) Newspapers.com

Commentary and Research

By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: July 15th, 2024

The missing person case of Audrey Chin is one that had some journalism coverage, both at the time of her disappearance and even in modern times. Chin disappeared while, perhaps "ostensibly," driving to perform some errands. She left to get the family cat from the vet, returned home, and then drove out to get some orange juice. After she dropped the cat off at home, she was never seen again.

According to NamUs, she was last seen on July 8th, 1981, which was a Wednesday. However, the newspaper coverage at the time and in modern times says July 7th, 1981 was the day she disappeared. The first hit for her case in the newspapers appeared on July 19th, 1981 (the classified advertisement embedded above).

The dates slightly contradicting between the journalism and NamUs is one detail to be aware of. Also, another detail is that NamUs says that three tires were flat when the car was found. Contemporary journalism says that two of the tires were flat. Meanwhile, a Facebook post says that all four tires were flat. The vehicle was found at a diner about three weeks after Chin was last seen. That means the car was found around July 28th, 1981.

June 3rd, 2024. Newsday.

They have DNA from a family member to see if it can help match to a Jane Doe. But if there was a hit, then the news would have been expected in August to October of 2024. As of October 2025, Chin's case is still listed at NamUs.

Chin was involved with a married man

According to the June 3rd article in Newsday from 2024, Chin was having an affair with an older man who was married. The article says that the man died more than a decade ago now.

I had several thoughts on this case. At first, I wondered if the flat tires meant that she might have been the victim of a Good Samaritan's Ruse.

In this kind of missing person's case, the MP's car is sabotaged by someone who then shows up to help her with the vehicle problems. This person then disappears the MP. However, when I read about the affair with a married man, my mind went another way.

I wondered if she might have been pregnant. Also, one has to wonder whose cigarettes were found in the car.

The flat tires might be a red herring in this case. Anything can happen to a vehicle that sits unattended in a parking lot for three weeks. But they might be part of the case as well.

Jane Does and My Guess on What Happened

Presuming she is dead, Chin's skeletal remains might mistakenly be considered to be an adolescent as she was diminutive. However, DNA from the family is available.

There are two Jane Does from the area that are considered to be of interest. I'm not sure I would call either to be too promising.

One of them has a death date estimated between 2003 and 2008 while Chin disappeared many years before then. Another Jane Doe is of a small-statured individual that Boy Scouts found in 2003.

However, the PMI (post-mortem interval) for this Jane Done is thought to be three years, meaning this individual is thought to have died in 2000 or so. I would presume that Chin died at about the time of her disappearance in 1981 and thus would not be this Jane Doe.

Death-date estimates when dealing with skeletal remains can be far off, but they would have to be off by about 20 years for one of these Jane Does to be Audrey Chin. That said, the heights match and they are both near where she was last seen.

The Plainview Diner: Where Her Car Was Found

A classified ad with the address of the diner. April 20th, 1980 edition of the Newsday paper.

By my research, the address where the car was found would be 1094 Old Country Road. This was the address of the Plainview Diner. Over the years, the diner used a lot of classified advertisements to find staff and included the address in their ads sometimes.

The restaurant, which was described as "closed" in modern journalism, can be viewed on June 2024's edition of Google Maps. It appears in a grainy Google Maps image at the same location as early as September 2008. By modern routes, the drive from the MP's home at 33 Ross Lane to the restaurant is only sixteen minutes.

If I were to hazard a guess as to what happened it would be that she was murdered by someone she knew. There was a lot of dirt on the vehicle, which was called "mud-splattered" in the Newsday article.

I wondered if the mud could contain any organic matter that might be linked to a location in the area. However, that kind of investigation would require a substantial budget and it seems such resources are simply not available.

There were thunderstorms predicted in the weather reports from July 5th and humid conditions in general, according to my research. This would make any dirt roads sloppy.

Has Audrey Chin Been Found?

My guess is whoever disappeared her put her in the vehicle and drove to a secluded location to bury her remains, perhaps using dirt roads to get to this location. This is the reason why the vehicle was "mud-splattered." This same possibly off-road trip may have damaged the tires or perhaps they were damaged deliberately as the unknown assailant tried to obfuscate the matter. Or the tires were simply vandalized as abandoned vehicles often are.

Colleen Wood's Disappearance - What Happened After the Unsolved Mysteries Episode?

By: Shane Lambert

If you watched an old episode of Unsolved Mysteries from Season 12 with Robert Stack and are now looking to see if the mysteries have been solved since the program's air date, then this article is for you. Firstly, Episode 12 of Season 12 originally aired on Wednesday, August 15th, 2001. The opening unsolved mystery has to do with Colleen Wood and her disappearance.

As regaled in the episode, Colleen met a man named John Paul and she quit her job as part of a plan to sail the world with him. However, Colleen was not heard from after December 2000. Furthermore, John Paul had a criminal record for attempted murder that Colleen likely did not know about. As of the end of the episode from 2001, Colleen's whereabouts were not known and John Paul was not named as a suspect in her disappearance. However, he too was missing with the episode suggesting that his disappearance was of a voluntary sort while Colleen's was not. Detectives had also ascertained that some $40,000 had been taken from Colleen's credit cards without her consent. Other sources place this amount at $38,000.

As of the publication date of this blog post (July 15th, 2024), Colleen Wood still has a missing person profile at NamUs, meaning she is still missing. Below are her details with more research afterward.

Missing Person's Name: Colleen Wood

Last contact: December 28th, 2000 (exact date not known according to one source)

Age when she disappeared: 53

Sex: Female

Height in inches: 62 which is 5'2"

Weight in pounds (lbs): 115

Ethnicity: White/Caucasian 

Hair color: Gray or partially gray 

Eye Color: Brown 

Scar or distinctive characteristic: Nothing

Birthdate: Not certain. But I think it is December 2nd or 7th, 1948. These different birthdates appear on her marriage licenses from two marriages.

Alias: Colleen Pascu (married and then divorced)

Family: Michael Tandarich (son), who seemed to be named after his father

Details from a government source (might be paraphrased): Wood was reported missing to Fort Lauderdale Police on April 16th, 2001. Her disappearance is considered to be extremely suspicious. 

Link to government source: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/23600?nav

Photos: Several available at NamUs

Commentary and Research

Colleen's disappearance date with NamUs has to be taken with a grain of salt. Her friend, Maureen Canada, said that they spoke on the phone on December 13th or 14th in 2000. That conversation puts her in a bar in Key West, Florida.

There wasn't any journalism after the air date of the Unsolved Mysteries episode to update this matter. I do not think that there is any significant update in this case since that time. But readers will likely want to know that John Paul does have a Wikipedia page. According to that source, the women who withdrew money from Colleen Wood's credit card identified John Paul as the man who accompanied them. According to his Wikipedia page, he is still missing and would be in his mid-80s if alive today.

There were classified ads that were placed in local newspapers using Colleen's credit card. One of them was from December 16th, 2000. That was two to three days after Maureen Canada spoke with Colleen. I would think that John Paul's claimed last sighting of Colleen cannot be trusted. My guess is that Colleen died somehow between December 13th and December 16th.

Has Colleen Wood Been Found?

One investigative angle amateurs can help with has to do with the classified ads. I tried pulling key phrases from the ads and searching for them in online newspaper databases to see if the same or very similar ads appeared anywhere else in the world. If John Paul placed the ads and used the same wording for other ads, then there might be a lead on his whereabouts. If you have a membership to online newspaper databases, then you can try this on your own in addition to my efforts. The ads appear in the embedded YouTube video below.

John Paul and Colleen Wood. 12 Jun 2001, Tue The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida) Newspapers.com

Norma Jolene Madera Missing: Yakama Reservation Murders Link, Yakima 1991

Missing Person's Name: Norma Jolene Madera

Last contact: July 1st, 1991

Last seen: Greyhound Bus Station in Yakima, Washington (602 E Yakima Ave Yakima, WA 98901)

Age when disappeared: 27 (Might be March 12th, 1964 -- same-name match in Ancestry)

Sex: Female

Height in inches: 64 (which is 5'4")

Weight in pounds (lbs): 110

Ethnicity: Native American. She was/is a member of the confederated tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Hair color: Brown

Eye Color: Not given, presumed to be brown due to Native American ancestry. Looks brown in the photo but this is speculative based on that common eye color among Native Americans.

Scar or distinctive characteristic: None known

AI enhanced photo, used in place of the grainy photo that NamUs offers. Do not circulate without stating that it's AI enhanced. Real photo below.

Details from government source: Norma was last seen at the Greyhound Bus Station in Yakima, Washington where she planned to travel to Seattle and then south on Pacific Hwy South to Tacoma. Norma never arrived at her destination. It was not confirmed whether or not she ever made it on the bus in Yakima.

Link to government source: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/124251?nav

Commentary, Speculation, and Research

By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: July 15th, 2024

Norma Jolene Madera was last seen on July 1st, 1991. There were not a lot of details on this missing person in the newspaper articles or online. This could reflect underreporting for marginalized groups in the 1990s. However, there was a chat forum started on her at Websleuths that may develop over time. There is a 33-year gap between her last-seen date and the upload date at NamUs.

Her name was not found in the newspaper database that I use, at least not for any news related to her disappearance. I think she appears in some obituaries for other people (ie. "survived by") years after her disappearance.

Also, she appears to have an entry at Ancestry with a birthdate of March 12th, 1964. Her parents at that source are listed as David A. Madera and Linda Marie Madera. Norma would then born in Great Falls, Montana, unless this is a same-name match (which I doubt).

Last Seen at a Bus Station

Those working on this case should think about what it means to be last seen at a Greyhound Station. On a related matter, being last seen at a bus station is not that uncommon for missing people. Mekayla Bali was last seen at a bus station in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Vickie Annette Smock was last seen at a Greyhound Station.

Furthermore, there are 59 hits for the search "Greyhound" with NamUs in the circumstances surrounding the disappearances listed there. That doesn't mean that they all disappeared from a bus station but quite of few of them were last seen at such a place. If you click the tag "bus station series" in the margin, then several links at this site will appear.

In my opinion, bus stations invoke dodgy and unsafe premises in typically sketchy parts of town. They are often in areas where some questionable characters are loitering.

Also, that Norma Madera was not confirmed to get on a bus does invoke the possibility of ridesharing or hitchhiking. Some people look for passengers at bus stations so it's possible that she hooked-up with the wrong kind of ride to try and save bus fare expense.

Possible Connection to Yakama Reservation Murders (1980 to 1992)

Norma Madera was a Native American. I think she was from Montana but that wouldn't matter to a murderer who targeted Native American women. There was a series of murders and disappearances concerning the Yakama Reservation, that should be mentioned because of the possibility that her 1991 disappearance is related somehow.

The Yakama Reservation Cases: A Tragic Era in Yakima Valley

The Yakama Reservation cases involved the unsolved murders and disappearances of primarily Native American women on or near the Yakama Indian Reservation in Yakima County, Washington, during the 1980s to early 1990s. Over 16–32 women, many from marginalized groups, vanished or were found dead, often in rural areas along the Yakima River. A notable case was Shari Dee Sampson Elwell, whose mutilated remains were discovered on December 30, 1991.

A lot of the victims were last seen in downtown Yakima, according to a 2018 article at Yakima-Herald Republic. That would place them near the Greyhound Bus Station at 602 E Yakima Ave, with victims often last seen in bars or hitchhiking.

January 26th, 1993. The Daily Herald

Norma Madera was a Native American woman in an area in 1991 where Native American women were facing violence and disappearing due to the actions of multiple rapists/murderers.

Serial Killers or Serial Rapists in the Yakima, Washington Area

• Keith Hunter Jesperson (“Happy Face Killer”): A Yakima Valley-based trucker, active 1990–1995. Confessed to eight murders across multiple states, including at least one in Washington in 1991. Investigated for possible links to Yakama cases due to his proximity and targeting of transient women, though no confirmed connections.
• John Robinson: Convicted rapist who targeted vulnerable women in downtown Yakima during the 1980s and early 1990s, preying on sex workers and transients.
• Ramon Padilla: Convicted in 1994 for raping four prostitutes in Yakima, active in the late 1980s to early 1990s, in high-risk downtown areas.
• Pete Savala: Convicted in 1990 for raping two women in Toppenish, near the Yakama Reservation, active around 1991.
• John Bill Fletcher Jr.: Convicted in 2001 for two 1987 murders in Yakima County. Incarcerated by 1991, so not active during Norma’s disappearance.

These individuals, along with unidentified perpetrators in unsolved cases (e.g., Shari Dee Sampson Elwell’s 1991 murder), contributed to the climate of fear in Yakima. The Greyhound station at 602 E Yakima Ave was a noted hotspot due to its role as a transient hub, as described in the Yakima Herald-Republic’s 2018 article (link).

Robert Pickton Documentary: Canada's Worst Serial Killer

Author: Shane Lambert

Original time of writing: May 5th, 2024 | Updated: August 22, 2025

Exploring Robert Pickton’s Crimes Through a Gripping Documentary

If you’re searching for a compelling online documentary about Robert Pickton, the notorious Canadian serial killer who targeted women from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, look no further than The Infographics Show on YouTube. Their episode, titled “The Pig Farmer - Canada’s Most EVIL Serial Killer,” was published on November 7th, 2023, and has garnered over 1,000,000 views as of August 2025. This 34-35-minute documentary offers a detailed look into Pickton’s life and crimes, making it a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts.

A Deep Dive into Pickton’s Troubled Life

The documentary traces Pickton’s early years on a farm in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, where he endured abuse and mental trauma. It highlights his struggles as a social outcast among peers, setting the stage for his descent into one of Canada’s most infamous serial killers.

The animated narrative, interspersed with real-life photos, effectively conveys the chilling progression of his crimes, which involved the murder of at least 26 women, many of whom were sex workers from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Pickton was convicted in 2007 of six counts of second-degree murder, though he confessed to an undercover officer that he killed 49 women.

Critical Perspective on Police Handling

A central theme of the documentary is the Vancouver Police Department’s mishandling of the missing women cases. It critiques the systemic bias and negligence that delayed Pickton’s capture, as the disappearances of sex workers were often dismissed.

This perspective aligns with findings from the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, which highlighted “blatant failures” in police investigations, including ignored warnings from a geographic profiler in 1997. After watching, viewers gain a sobering understanding of how societal indifference contributed to the tragedy.

Is There a Movie About Robert Pickton?

While there’s no feature film about Robert Pickton that I’m aware of, online documentaries like this one fill the gap. The Infographics Show’s episode stands out with its well-written narrative and engaging animation, complemented by real-life images of key figures in the case. It strikes a balance between informative storytelling and visual appeal, making it accessible to a wide audience. However, it was published in the months before Pickton's death so details about the end of his life are not in the documentary.

Recent Developments in the Pickton Case: Death in Prison

In May 2024, Robert Pickton was attacked in a Quebec prison and died from his injuries, as reported by CTV News and other sources. This event marked the end of a dark chapter, but it also reignited discussions about justice for his victims. Families of the victims expressed mixed emotions, with some feeling closure and others believing his death prevented further answers.

You see this kind of division a lot when a serial killer dies. People don't necessarily shed tears but they realize that the murderer took answers to important questions to the grave.

Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside: A Troubled Area

Having lived in Greater Vancouver for about five years, including a month in a hotel in the East Hastings area, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Known as one of Canada’s most troubled neighborhoods, it’s marked by homelessness and poverty, exacerbated by the city’s mild winter climate compared to cities like Edmonton or Montreal. The documentary underscores how this destitute environment, coupled with societal neglect, allowed Pickton to target vulnerable women for years. It’s a stark reminder of the need for systemic change to protect marginalized communities.

Why This Documentary Matters

This documentary not only recounts Pickton’s heinous crimes but also sheds light on the broader social and institutional failures that enabled them. It’s a compelling watch for those interested in true crime, Canadian history, or social justice issues. By combining factual storytelling with critical analysis, it leaves viewers with a deeper understanding of the case and its lasting impact.

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.

Plane Crash Documentary - What Happens When a 15-Year Old Pilots a Plane

By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: April 15th, 2022

I've taken a liking to plane-crash documentaries lately as a means of passing the time while I am on the treadmill or elliptical. I thought that fans of my blog might like these kinds of documentaries as well for the educational value.

Plane-crash documentaries often include forensic analysis of the factors that cause any kind of malfunction. No expenses are spared in these investigations so they certainly bring a lot to light. I thought that I would highlight the documentaries that I enjoyed the best because I think my readers will have an interest in forensics.

A Youtube account, known as "Wonder", has a good list of documentaries. One documentary titled "Disaster Of Aeroflot Flight 593 After Kid Disables Autopilot | Mayday | Wonder," tells the true story of a flight that went from Moscow bound for Hong Kong. The description of the 50-minute documentary is as follows:

"On 23 March 1994, Aeroflot Flight 593 stalls and crashes while en route to Hong Kong, killing all 75 people on board. The pilot's 15-year-old son accidentally disabled the autopilot while in the captain's seat, causing the aircraft to bank heavily to the right, inducing the stall."

What happened is truly outrageous as a perfectly operatable airplane went from normal to devastated in what appeared to be only a matter of minutes. The Youtube video is embedded below.