Possible Connections

[Skipper]

These cases may have some connection:

Wendy Eaton, missing May 17, 1959, from Media, PA
Carolyn Majane, missing Aug 22, 1975, from Moorestown, PA. Had just moved from Bethesda, MD. Body found Dec 20, 1985 near Moorestown.
Adult male in late twenty's, employeed by Health Club in Springfield, VA. Missing June 13, 1975.
Young girl approximately 13 years old with long reddish blond hair missing prior to April 1975.

[mere]

These cases may have some connection:

Wendy Eaton, missing May 17, 1959, from Media, PA
Carolyn Majane, missing Aug 22, 1975, from Moorestown, PA. Had just moved from Bethesda, MD. Body found Dec 20, 1985 near Moorestown.
Adult male in late twenty's, employeed by Health Club in Springfield, VA. Missing June 13, 1975.
Young girl approximately 13 years old with long reddish blond hair missing prior to April 1975.What do you believe connected these cases? Was the last girl you mentioned Lisa White?

[Skipper]

Same abductors. Lisa White is a possibility, strong resemblance.

[mere]

What makes you think it was the same abductors?

Carolyn was last seen walking down Main Street, in downtown Moorestown. She was from Bethesda, a very short distance from Wheaton. Wendy was last seen in the downtown area of Media. The Lyon sister's were on their way back from Wheaton Plaza. All of these girls seemed to have disappeared from populated areas. If that is the case it is likely that they all left willingly with the abductor.
If indeed these are connected.

[Skipper]

The cases have a common connection in that each had acquaintances in the Washington D.C. area were connected in someway with Jersengen. Same church possibly or a relative who went to a boys boarding school in Wheeling , West Virginia. The trick was to entice the girls into going to a party or meeting in a designated place. For the Lyons case, someone at the shopping center had some contact with the abductors so they knew when to catch the girls on their way home. Could have been TRM or someone else they spoke to regarding when they were going back home.

[Richard]

The case of the missing Lyon sisters received a lot of publicity and media attention. It stands out from most other disappearances because it was apparently a double abduction, by a non family member, and it took place at a very public and busy mall in mid afternoon.

It was very likely NOT the only crime committed by the perpetrator(s), mainly because of the skill required to have pulled it off and not be noticed. There were probably other similar crimes committed before and after. In considering other disappearances, abductions, murders, etc, one has to look at similarities and patterns. Also at possible motives.

A definite pattern can be seen in the few reported sightings of TRM. At least a pattern regarding his activities and interest in young girls. But did this individual confine himself to his TRM persona? Probably not. That particular activity was never connected with other abductions in the area, and maybe not outside of the Washington DC Metropolitan area.

What is apparent is another pattern. This is in the disappearance of young girls age 10 to 15 before and after the Lyon disappearance. It is most probable that the abductor of the Lyon Sisters had transportation. He therefor could have traveled about and been involved in abducting other children known to have been outside of their "home" area.

I do not think that the Lyon girls were a specific "long range" target or that there was a web of spies watching for them and a team waiting to grab them. It is much more likely that their abductor had made casual contact with them on one or more occasions, and that a window of opportunity opened on 25 March 1975 for him to make his move. Had he NOT been able to abduct them, it might have been just as likely that another child would have been taken the same day or the next.

A serial killer seldom works with others (although there are exceptions). And, unfortunately, that is probably what the police are dealing with in this case. If this were a case connected with a pedophile ring, or some such organization, some kind of evidence would have come out by now. I am not saying that such rings do not exist, but I have a hard time seeing any evidence of it in this case.

[Skipper]

I have a hard time seeing any evidence of it in this case.

I guess that's the point of underground crime. It was very well planned in advance. Probably why a certain fat guy wanna be pimp started dating a Montomery county sheriff's daughter a few months before the kidnapping, went to the same church as Lyons. Four months later, set up the sheriff to rape his own daughter then left town.

[smile22]

you said these people had connections to the dc area did u mean the missing persons? and if so how?. You mentioned lisa whites name. and i am very familar with her case as she went missing from connecticut the state i live in her case is possible linked to some other cases in connecticut a few girls in that time frame went missing all close to each other one of the cases being of janice Pockett she went missing while riding her bike in 1973 she was only 7 or 8 as some places listed as eather or she was never found except the bike she was riding. which was found Nearby. i dont see a connection at all with lisa and dc

[Richard]

I think that the title of this area "Connections" is a good one to express the frustrations of this case. Connections are what are needed most if this case is ever going to be solved. And it is precisely the Lack of Connections which make the case so difficult.

A Connection might be a similarity of some sort between this case and another; such as a similar place/setting, time of day, time of year, geographic area, age or description of victim, similar suspect, vehicle, weapon, motive, etc. etc.

The main problem, as so often repeated is the lack of evidence or lack of information. The girls were seen by friends and then they disappeared. Nobody actually saw them abducted, yet they have never turned up since, either dead or alive.

So Connections are mostly coincidental. Coincidences, however, may start to add up when more information is known. Could cases in other states be connected through a common perpetrator? My feeling is that Yes, that is a good possibility. This abduction was committed by someone skilled and practiced at it. If he had remained in the Montgomery County area long before or afterward, many more such cases would likely have become known. by moving around, and perhaps leaving the state - similar abductions might go unrecognized as being connected.

[Skipper]

Connections would have been within a 50-mile radius of the Wash DC area and Baltimore, MD area. Victims were probably average age of 13-14 with Katherine being the youngest at 11 years old. After the kidnapping, they were probably transported at various times in the back of utility type vans. In some cases, may have had head bandages to make it look as if they had eye or head surgery or were dressed in Arabian clothing when traveling with the foreign mastermind.

[mere]

Where are you getting this information from?

[Richard]

As mentioned before, there is not a lot of solid evidence in the Lyon Sisters' case. Because of that it is hard to link other cases to it. However, that Lack of information is a common thread in a few other cases of missing children taken from populated shopping areas. Double abductions are somewhat rare, yet a number of double abductions (or possible double abductions) took place in 1974 and 1975. Here is one case which, like the Lyon case, is a probable abduction of two girls, one 16 and one 12 years old. They were dropped off at a Movie Theater, and were never seen again. I do not have any more information on them at this time, but perhaps someone else more familiar with the case can comment on it.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Cynthia Gooding and Teresa Alfonso Missing 3 Sept 1974 Marathon, FL


Cynthia Robin Gooding (16)
Missing since September 3, 1974 from Marathon, Monroe County, Florida.
Classification: Lost, Injured, Missing
NCIC Number: M-061966859

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: July 23, 1958
Age at Time of Disappearance: 16 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'2; 100 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown hair; brown eyes.
Marks, Scars: She has a scar on her left eyebrow.
Nickname: Cindi; Cindy
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Teresa Armanda Alfonso (12)
Missing since September 3, 1974 from Marathon, Monroe County, Florida.
Classification: Endangered Missing
NCIC Number: M-729859018

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: November 6, 1961
Age at Time of Disappearance: 12 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'2" (157 cm); 120 lbs (54 kg)
Distinguishing Characteristics: White/Hispanic female. Light brown hair; brown eyes.
Marks, Scars: She has had a tonsillectomy. She has a small-sized scar below her buttocks. She has pierced ears.
Dentals: A small gap between her two front teeth.

Circumstances of Disappearance
Teresa Armanda Alfonso and her friend, Cynthia Robin Gooding, were dropped off at the Marathon Movie Theater in Marathon, Florida on 3 September 1974. Neither of the girls has been seen again.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning Alfonso's or Gooding's whereabouts, please contact:
Monroe County Sheriff's Office
Missing Persons Unit
305-289-2430
305-296-2424
800-346-8477

Agency Case Number: M743432
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information related to this case.

Source Information:
Florida Department Of Law Enforcement
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Doe Network

Links:
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/2dffl.html
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/218dffl.html

[Neen56]

Richard,
This is all very interesting. I remember the abduction of the Lyon sisters very well. I lived very close to Wheaton, in Silver Spring, and had previously worked at Wheaton Plaza.

Can you tell me what TRM means?

Does the Lyon sisters case remain under investigation? It was so strange they way they just vanished.

Thanks!

[Richard]

Richard,
This is all very interesting. I remember the abduction of the Lyon sisters very well. I lived very close to Wheaton, in Silver Spring, and had previously worked at Wheaton Plaza.
Can you tell me what TRM means?
Does the Lyon sisters case remain under investigation? It was so strange they way they just vanished. Thanks!
TRM is an acronym or abbreviation that somebody came up with on this forum to stand for "Tape Recorder Man".

The Lyon sisters case has been an open case since 25 March 1975. It holds the dubious record as Mongomery County's longest running open case.

Did you work at Wheaton Plaza at the time of their disappearance?

[mere]

I do not have much information on Coffey's Navy background. I found an interesting tidbit that has similarities with other cases, possibly the Lyon case. In the immediate area where Carolyn Majane disappeared in August 1975 is a place known as the cornfield cruiser.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==894

[Richard]

I do not have much information on Coffey's Navy background. I found an interesting tidbit that has similarities with other cases, possibly the Lyon case. In the immediate area where Carolyn Majane disappeared in August 1975 is a place known as the cornfield cruiser.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==894 (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==894)
That is an interesting looking building. For every type of radar, radio, weapon system, etc that the Navy has, there are shore based classrooms and training facilities. It does look a bit odd to have what appears to be an upper ship's superstructure on top of the building. But then, I guess they want the sailors to get used to seeing and maintaining the antennas and connections in a way that will be similar to what they will see on board ship.

I don't think that Fred Coffey was doing any Navy training at that facility, as it was being used by the Air Force about the time that he was being discharged from the Navy. Of course, he might have been almost anywhere in the US by August 1975, having left his job with Vitro in Montgomery County, MD very suddenly late in July.

[monkalup]

These cases may have some connection:

Wendy Eaton, missing May 17, 1959, from Media, PA
Carolyn Majane, missing Aug 22, 1975, from Moorestown, PA. Had just moved from Bethesda, MD. Body found Dec 20, 1985 near Moorestown.
Adult male in late twenty's, employeed by Health Club in Springfield, VA. Missing June 13, 1975.
Young girl approximately 13 years old with long reddish blond hair missing prior to April 1975.

I believe Wendy Eaton went missing on May 17, 1975...not 59 (which was her birth year I believe) She went missing nine days before her birthday...and much closer to the time that Carolyn Majane went missing.

[Skipper]

I believe Wendy Eaton went missing on May 17, 1975...not 59 (which was her birth year I believe) She went missing nine days before her birthday...and much closer to the time that Carolyn Majane went missing.

You are correct. All of these kidnapping occurred during 1975.

[mere]

These cases may have some connection:

Wendy Eaton, missing May 17, 1959, from Media, PA
Carolyn Majane, missing Aug 22, 1975, from Moorestown, PA. Had just moved from Bethesda, MD. Body found Dec 20, 1985 near Moorestown.
Adult male in late twenty's, employeed by Health Club in Springfield, VA. Missing June 13, 1975.
Young girl approximately 13 years old with long reddish blond hair missing prior to April 1975.
Carolyn was missing from Moorestown NJ.

[Richard]

Connections would have been within a 50-mile radius of the Wash DC area and Baltimore, MD area. Victims were probably average age of 13-14 with Katherine being the youngest at 11 years old. ...
A Fifty Mile radius would include the States of Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, as well as the District of Columbia. There were certainly several cases of missing children over the years in all of those states. But connecting them is the hard part, especially when so little information or evidence is available. Skipper, check your personal messages.

[mere]

Anyone have any information on Kathy Beatty? I have not been able to turn up very much information on her or her case.

[Richard]

Anyone have any information on Kathy Beatty? I have not been able to turn up very much information on her or her case.
In stark contrast to the Lyon Case, which was front page news for months, very little was covered of the Kathy Beatty case in the Washington DC and Maryland press. One short story about her being found, still alive but badly beaten was followed up about 12 days later when another small story told of her death from her injuries. About a year and a half later, a much larger article featured her story and included a lot of information given by her mother. I have a lot of that information, and will look for my summary of it.

[Skipper]

Would anyone happen to have the Washington D C metropolitan yellow pages from 1975?

[ShurlT]

Richard, would you post the dates of the Kathy Lynn Beatty newspaper articles you have and those of the 1986/7 Fred Howard Coffey, Jr printed in Washington Post or other MD papers you know about, if you have time. I've found a college nearby that might have the newspapers on microfiche/film. Also, I've contacted my cousin by phone several times about trying to reach her son who she thinks might be able to clean up the 1975 photo but so far nothing has come of it. I will also be trying to take a trip to Littlestown, PA hopefully this week after my brakes are fixed. Thought I would try to find out if there are any newspaper articles with more information about the disappearance of Tracy King, July 8, 1975. Thanks.

[ShurlT]

The following is a list of the information I sent to Sgt. DeCarlo with updates since then gleaned from Richard's postings. The original did not include the names of the abductees because I was looking for patterns but the birthdates, names, hair and eye color, etc were recorded in my notes. This is not to say Coffey is responsible for all but to ask the queston -- Could he be - because of the proximity to where he was or might have been at the time.

Fred Howard Coffey, Jr. dates/days of week patterns for MD/PA and easy access to escape routes to Silver Spring and other locations:

1945
03-20-1945 - TUESDAY - BORN (We now know his birthdate had been changed to the 19th, MONDAY)

1962
05-19-1962 - SATURDAY - ENLISTED US NAVY

1974
09-12-1974 - THURSDAY - HONORABLE DISCHARGE - VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (?)
??-??-1974 - UNKNOWN - CHILD MOLESTATION CONVICTIONS, VA. BCH.,VA

1975
03-20-1975 - THURSDAY - F. H. Coffey, Jr. - BIRTHDAY
03-25-1975 - TUESDAY - Wheaton, MD - LYON SISTERS DISAPPEAR
04-01-1975 - TUESDAY - Silver Spring, MD - F. H. Coffey, Jr. - INTERVIEW VITRO LABS
04-07-1975 - MONDAY - Manassas, VA - 7:30 AM - LYON SISTERS SIGHTED IN VEHICLE BOUND AND GAGGED
04-07-1975 - SAME DAY - New Lisbon, NJ - Approx. 4:30 PM - 17 & 12 yr old boys left New Lisbon State School, HY 72 - very close to 4 rest stops in large park area/campground/near US NAVY BASE - STEVEN ANDERSON & DAVID WILLIAMS.
04-24-1975 - THURSDAY - F. H. Coffey, Jr. - starts work, VITRO LABS
05-17-1975 - SATURDAY - Media, PA (next to Secane below; near Rts 1 & 95 to Balt.; Sub of Philly?) - WENDY EATON
06-24-1975 - TUESDAY - PHILADELPHIA, PA (RT 95 runs thru Philly to Balt.) - EDNA CHRISTINE THORNE
07-01-1975 - TUESDAY -OR-
07-07-1975 - MONDAY - POSSIBLE ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION - CONGRESSIONAL PLAZA (my girls; I had to have the receipt book for a Wed. P.U. - my youngest is redhead - couple weeks passed bef Kathy Beatty article printed after seeing TRM in Murphy's)
07-08-1975 - TUESDAY - Littlestown, PA (on RT 97 to RT 15 or 140 to Silver Spring, MD) - TRACY ANN KING - (ONLY REDHEAD)
07-24-1975 - THURSDAY - Silver Spring, MD - FOUND - KATHY LYNN BEATTY - ATTACKED
07-31-1975 - THURSDAY - Silver Spring, MD - COFFEY QUITS WORK VITRO LABS SAYING WIFE & DAU. INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. IS A LIE AND EXCUSE HE'S USED PREVIOUSLY.
08-05-1975 - TUESDAY - Silver Spring, MD(?) - KATHY LYNN BEATTY DIES

1977
07-12-1977 - TUESDAY - Secane, PA (next to Media above, sub of Philly?; RTS 1 & 95 to Balt.) - Cheryl Ann Moser Iscomm...not sure of this name or why so long. Might be mistake in my notes.
10-21-1977 - FRIDAY - Robinson, PA (above Johnstown - easy to Cumberland) - RENEE ANN GREGOR (sp?)
11-23-1977 - WEDNESDAY - Petersburg, VA (From Colonial Heights, VA - last seen hitchhiking south - INT 95 near Washington St. Exit Petersburg. (Day before Thanksgiving. Chance encounter? Unrelated?)

1981
07-14-1981 - TUESDAY - Delmar City, MD (on border of MD & DE -easy shot from VA BCH, VA) - KATHRYN MAE QUACKENBUSH

NOTE: COFFEY STATIONED VA BCH WHILE IN NAVY & CONVICTED OF CHILD MOLESTATION THERE 1974.

1965
03-18-1965 - TUESDAY - Tyrone, PA (above Altoona on RT 220; straight shot to Cumberland, MD) - KATHY ANN SHEA

ABDUCTIONS IN NC - STRAIGHT SHOT FROM CHARLOTTE, NC WHERE COFFEY LIVED.

03-18-1981 - WEDNESDAY - LEXINGTON, NC - DONNA MICHELE BARNHILL, AGE 14
06-13-1970 - SATURDAY - WINSTON, NC - SHERRI LEE TRUESDALE - Shopping Rayless Dept Store. (Payless (?))

The search was only for young females under the age of 16 and abductions that took place before Coffey was arrested 1986. Later, I noticed the two male abductions from New Lisbon, NJ and that the date was the same day the Lyon sisters were supposedly seen in Mannassas, VA. A check was made thru Atlas and MapQuest to see if it was possible to get from Mannassas to New Lisbon between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM and found it was with time to spare. Later, I learned Coffey had molested a young boy in NC and realized he was prone to abduct and molest both sexes. I also stuck to white females except for Sherri Lee above because of the location near Charlotte and the possibility the store was in a mall.

[Skipper]

My guess is that there is at least one person posting to this site who was involved with planning and executing the kidnapping of the Lyons girls.

[Richard]

Richard, would you post the dates of the Kathy Lynn Beatty newspaper articles you have and those of the 1986/7 Fred Howard Coffey, Jr printed in Washington Post or other MD papers you know about, if you have time. ....
I have seen articles on Kathy Lynn Beatty in the Washington Post, and you can find them in microfilm files. The first article appeared on 25 or 26 July 1975. The next appeard on 5, 6, or 7 August 1975. The big article which I quote in full on a separate topic of this thread appearred on 6 January 1977, Page 1, of the Maryland Weekly section of the Washington Post. There may also have been coverage of this crime in the Washington Star Newspaper (which went defunct in 1982).

Washington Post Articles about possible links to Fred Howard Coffey, Jr. began appearing in March 1987. Three specific dates/issues are:
13 March 1987, Page C-1
20 March 1987, Page B-3
22 June 1987, Page D-7

There may be more. The Washington Post published an annual index of all articles, so you might look there for other possible stories. The main library in Rockville, MD (Montgomery County) and the Adelphi Road Library on in Hyattsville (Prince Georges County) both have extensive microfilm files that you can research.

[itsreenw]

Connections would have been within a 50-mile radius of the Wash DC area and Baltimore, MD area. Victims were probably average age of 13-14 with Katherine being the youngest at 11 years old. After the kidnapping, they were probably transported at various times in the back of utility type vans. In some cases, may have had head bandages to make it look as if they had eye or head surgery or were dressed in Arabian clothing when traveling with the foreign mastermind.I'm new to this thread and I havent read all the posts but I am curious to know how you came to such specific conclusions.

Why do you believe they may have used head wraps and Arabian clothing? That's quite a peculiar theory. That would only draw attention IMO.

Where do you think they would have been transported to and from and for what purpose?

What makes you believe someone on the thread has direct knowledge of these abductions?

[Skipper]

I'm new to this thread and I havent read all the posts but I am curious to know how you came to such specific conclusions.

Why do you believe they may have used head wraps and Arabian clothing? That's quite a peculiar theory. That would only draw attention IMO.

Where do you think they would have been transported to and from and for what purpose?

What makes you believe someone on the thread has direct knowledge of these abductions?

Good questions. It's a very long story........ Once upon a time, I lived in Washington D.C.....

[reportertype]

Skipper,

Are you trying to insinuate that you were somehow involved or directly know an individual who was?

[itsreenw]

Would anyone happen to have the Washington D C metropolitan yellow pages from 1975? Skipper, do you have a particular listing you are trying to locate or do you need the entire directory?

[Richard]

Shortly after the disappearance of Sheila (13) and Katherine (11) Lyon from Wheaton, Maryland, and before the abduction/murder of Kathy Lynn Beatty, also of Wheaton, Maryland, there was a succession of disappearances of young girls from the neighboring state of Pennsylvania. They were:

Wendy Eaton, age 15, Missing since Saturday, May 17, 1975 from Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Edna Christine Thorne, age 15, Missing since Tuesday, June 24, 1975 from Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

Tracy Anne King, age 14, Missing since Tuesday, July 8, 1975 from Littlestown, Adams County, Pennsylvania.

All were classified as Non-Family Abductions, and all remain unsolved today.

Carolyn Majane, age 15, went missing Aug 22, 1975, from Moorestown, PA. Her body was found in 1985, buried in a remote area. Here is a link to the Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community Thread - Who murdered Carolyn Majane?
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-37179

Does anyone have any more details concerning these abductions? Any similarities or patterns noted? I will post a separate message for each of the other three girls following this post.

[Richard]

Wendy Eaton
Missing since May 17, 1975 from Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Classification: Non Family Abduction
Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: May 26, 1959
Age at Time of Disappearance: 15 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 4'10; 90 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown hair; brown eyes.
Medical Conditions: Eaton is deaf in one ear.
Dentals: She wore orthodontic braces.
Marks, Scars: She wears corrective lenses and has pierced ears.

Circumstances of Disappearance
Eaton was last seen walking three blocks from her family's PA home on May 17, 1975 at approximately 3:05 PM. She was headed to the downtown area of Media, PA.

Investigators
If you have any information related to Eaton's case, please contact:
Pennsylvania State Police 215-459-4150
All information may be submitted anonymously.

NCIC Number: M-361834859
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Doe Network: Case File 90DFPA

Link:
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/90dfpa.html

[Richard]

Edna Christine Thorne
Missing since June 24, 1975 from Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
Classification: Non-Family Abduction

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: February 25, 1960
Age at Time of Disappearance: 15 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'1; 105 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown hair; brown eyes.
Dentals: Available

Circumstances of Disappearance
Thorne was last seen at a relative's home in Philadelphia, PA on June 24, 1975. She has never been seen again.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Philadelphia Police Department 215-685-1180
All information may be submitted on an anonymous basis.

NCIC Number: M-857652106
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Doe Network: Case File 74DFPA

Link:
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/74dfpa.html

[Richard]

Tracy Anne King
Missing since July 8, 1975 from Littlestown, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
Classification: Non Family Abduction

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: October 11, 1960
Age at Time of Disappearance: 14 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'3; 110 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Red hair; blue eyes.
Marks, Scars: King has a scar on her right ankle. She has pockmarks on her temple.
Dentals: Available

Circumstances of Disappearance
King was last seen leaving Hoffman Homes, a children's home in Mount Pleasant Township, Pennsylvania on July 8, 1975.

King was having problems at the time and was living at the home as a result. She had run away from the facility twice before, but King returned shortly thereafter both times. She has never been heard from again.

King apparently held no animosity towards her family and wrote them often from her stay in the home. Her letters are described as being those of a normal teenager at the time. King usually apologized for not writing more frequently. Her loved ones have searched for her since her disappearance in 1975.

King's family resided in Perry County, Pennsylvania in 1975.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning King's whereabouts, please contact:
Pennsylvania State Police, Gettysburg, 717-334-8111
All information may be submitted on an anonymous basis.

NCIC Number: M-360386548
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Doe Network: Case File 342DFPA

Link:
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/342dfpa.html

[lilsister]

Richard, RE: Wendy Eaton


The Charley Project has some additional information regarding her dissapearance--apparently her parents believe that it was possible that she joined a religious cult? her is the info

Wendy Eaton

http://www.charleyproject.org/images/e/eaton_wendy.jpg http://www.charleyproject.org/images/e/eaton_wendy_ap.jpg
Left: Eaton, circa 1975;
Right: Age-progression at age 46 (circa 2005)

http://www.charleyproject.org/banners/bar.jpg

Vital Statistics at Time of DisappearanceMissing Since: May 17, 1975 from Media, Pennsylvania
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: May 26, 1959
Age: 15 years old
Height and Weight: 4'10, 90 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair, brown eyes. Eaton occasionally wears eyeglasses. Her ears are pierced. Eaton wore orthodontic braces at time of her 1975 disappearance.
Medical Conditions: Eaton is deaf in one ear.


http://www.charleyproject.org/banners/bar.jpg

Details of DisappearanceEaton's family left their residence to play golf at a local country club on May 17, 1975. She stayed behind at their house on Moccasin Trail in Middletown, Pennsylvania and was sunbathing at the time. Eaton spoke to a friend later in the afternoon and said she planned to walk to the nearby town of Media to purchase a birthday gift for her brother. Eaton was last seen walking three blocks from her family's residence at approximately 3:05 p.m. at the intersection of Indian Lane and Media Station Road. She was headed towards downtown Media at the time she vanished. Eaton has never been seen again. Bloodhounds were able to track her scent to the intersection where she disappeared, but there was no trace of her elsewhere. Eaton's family told authorities that she was very interested in religion and planned to attend a singing group rehearsal at their church on the night she vanished. Her relatives stated that Eaton would not have missed the rehearsal. Her family considered the possibility that she may have joined a religious cult-type of organization, but no evidence has been located to suggest that was the cause of Eaton's disappearance. Her case remains unsolved.



http://www.charleyproject.org/banners/bar.jpg

Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Pennsylvania State Police
215-459-4150

http://www.charleyproject.org/banners/bar.jpg

Source Information
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children (http://www.missingkids.com/)
The Philadelphia Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/)

http://www.charleyproject.org/banners/bar.jpg

Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004.

Last updated September 4, 2005; age-progression updated. Charley Project Home (http://www.charleyproject.org/index.html)

[Richard]

Eva DeBruhl's disappearance occurred two years and two months after that of the Lyon Sisters. Note that Eva's birthday is within two months of Sheila's and note that her physical description is very close: Blonde/Light Brown hair, Blue eyes, Height and Weight the same, and both girls wore glasses. Compare their photos by clicking on the links below.

Another Coincidence is that an individual named Fred Coffey was living very close to the sites of both abductions at the time. York County, South Carolina is adjacent to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The following case summaries differ as to place of disappearance. Catawba is a very small town 25 miles due south of Charlotte, NC. Rock Hill, SC is even closer to Charlotte. It is a larger city near Catawba and may be the main post office address for the area.

At 15, Eva was closer in age to the three missing girls from Pennsylvania (1975), and to Kathy Lynn Beatty of Maryland.

------------------------------------------------------------
From the NCMEC files:

EVA GERLINE DEBRUHL
Case Type: Lost, Injured, Missing
DOB: May 25, 1962
Age at the time: 15
Missing Date: Jun 29, 1977
Sex: Female
Race: White
Height: 5'1" (155 cm)
Weight: 105 lbs (48 kg)
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Missing City: CATAWBA
Missing State : SC
Missing Country: United States
Case Number: NCMC834337
Circumstances: Eva was last seen on June 29, 1977. FOUL PLAY IS SUSPECTED.

Source:
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Link:
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewChildDetail&caseNum=834337&orgPrefix=NCMC&seqNum=1&caseLang=en_US&searchLang=en_US

-----------------------------------------------------------------
The below case summary is from Doenetwork files:


Eva Jurlyn DeBruhl
Missing since June 29, 1977 from Rock Hill, South Carolina
Classification: Lost, Injured, Missing

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: May 25, 1962
Age at Time of Disappearance: 15 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'1-5'2"; 105 lbs.
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Blue eyes; blonde hair.
Marks, Scars: None

Circumstances of Disappearance
Eva was mowing the lawn on a sunny afternoon when she went in her house and poured a glass of tea, which was later found never touched.

Little is known after that and her disappearance remains a mystery. Foul play is suspected.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
York County Sheriff's Department 803-628-3059

Source Information:
NC Missingpersons
NCMEC
The Doe Network: Case File 1948DFSC

Link:
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/1948dfsc.html

[Richard]

Here is a little more information on Eva's disappearance from a family member:

Eva had been cutting grass outside that day. She at some point came back into the house and fixed a glass of tea and ran some bath water.

She never got in the tub or drank the glass of tea. The recliner was also stretched out like she had been watching TV. It was determined that she went missing between 11am and 3pm on 29 June 1977 - a Wednesday.

The York County Sheriff Office has had the case from the beginning.

Below is a link to another website which discusses the case. There is mention of a possible link to a Jane Doe found in North Carolina, and to recent DNA initiatives.

Source:
Courttv.com Message Boards - Eva DeBruhl, 15, Rock Hill, SC - msg. 6-29-77

Link:
http://boards.courttv.com/showthread.php?threadid=258379

[jttnewguy]

My guess is that there is at least one person posting to this site who was involved with planning and executing the kidnapping of the Lyons girls.
Whoooaaa....I'm extremely curious why you would say that.

I grew up in the D.C. area also (McLean, Virginia, in Fairfax County) and remember this case well although not the details since I was only 10 at the time. Considering that this occurred back in 1975, thirty-one years ago, TRM would likely be a senior citizen now, or possibly even deceased.

However, I do think it's interesting and potentially useful to examine other similar abductions, since from what we know about TRM, this probably was not his only abduction or at least attempted abduction (I base this on the fact that it was a relatively bold and sophisticated crime-- abduction of 2 girls simultaneously, in broad daylight, from a public place, using a ruse that he probably spent time developing, and yet no eyewitnesses remember much of anything, suggesting that he either had some experience with abductions or was the luckiest SOB who ever lived).

[Richard]

... However, I do think it's interesting and potentially useful to examine other similar abductions, since from what we know about TRM, this probably was not his only abduction or at least attempted abduction (I base this on the fact that it was a relatively bold and sophisticated crime-- abduction of 2 girls simultaneously, in broad daylight, from a public place, using a ruse that he probably spent time developing, and yet no eyewitnesses remember much of anything, suggesting that he either had some experience with abductions or was the luckiest SOB who ever lived).It was quite likely a combination of the two: Experience and Luck. People who commit crimes "successfully" do so through careful planning, but the element of chance and luck is always there as well.

Those who rely on luck alone, soon screw up and are caught. Those who are careful planners, and who look for all the possible downfalls might go on for years, but might also be caught eventually - usually because of chance, or because they begin to think that they are invincible or lucky.

TRM was a careful planner who practiced and perfected his tape recorder scheme on previous occasions. He took his time, waited for the right victims and right moment, and then acted quickly and decisively. It was a bit of unforseen chance that he had been sighted talking to the Lyon Sisters.

Luck was with him to the extent that he was not seen by anyone making the abduction. But it was against him in that he had been seen talking to the girls by a boy who knew the girls personally.

Perhaps he knew that the boys had seen him and that caused him to exit so suddenly. But it is equally likely that he was simply moving on to the next step in his plan, and didn't think or care about the boys having seen him. After all, he had no idea that the boys knew the girls.

In the case of TRM, he has never been identified and no one with his MO has been seen since in the area where the girls disappeared. But, a study of other similar cases nationwide might provide clues as to who TRM was and how, where, when he operated. One of those similar cases might provide the necessary clues which will solve this case.

First, what other cases are similar? Next, what similarities are there among the victims? (Ages, descriptions, clothing, interests) What are the similarities in the locations and circumstances? What similarities in dates, season, days of the week, time of day, moon phase, etc.? What similarities in descriptions of suspects?

The section of this thread on Possible Suspects discusses various unsavory characters who were in or near Wheaton, Maryland in 1975. There were certainly many more individuals with criminal backgrounds around.

But of them all, who was known to abduct and murder children (particularly young teen girls)? Who used similar techniques, or devices, or stories? And most importantly, was that person at or near the scenes of other similar crimes?

[jttnewguy]

Well, underlying all of this is the assumption that we know how the crime occurred, if not necessarily whodunit.

For example, if we assume that the Lyon sisters were actually abducted while in the mall, a public place where other children were present, by TRM (or someone very much like him) who targeted those girls from among the other children present using an elaborate ruse, then it's more likely that the abductor also committed similar crimes simply because the boldness and sophistication of the crime suggests both experience and preparation as well as possibly a deep pathological need that is unlikely to have been fulfilled with just one abduction. In that instance, it's also more likely that any other victims would probably be similar in age and general appearance to at least one of the Lyon sisters, because it's likely that the perp singled them out from among the other children present because they fit his particular "preferences" and, given a choice, he would probably go after those preferences again. It's also likely that a similar M.O. may have been used, although as we've seen with many serial killers, he may practice other ruses and approaches as well, but in any case the M.O. is likely to be one that is similarly complex and premeditated because this is likely someone who spends a lot of time getting ready for his crimes and will spend time thinking of ways to approach his victims without attracting too much attention.

On the other hand, if the abduction was committed in some other way -- for example, I saw somewhere in this section that there's also a theory that the girls may have been abducted while walking home along a relatively secluded trail -- then we're talking about something completely different. If someone just happened to be walking or driving by, saw the girls, and snatched them from the trail using a knife or gun, then we may be talking about a much cruder "blunt force" crime of opportunity, rather than a sophisticated, pre-planned approach targeting a particular "type" of little girl. If it's a crime of opportunity then any othe girls abducted by this perp may have completely different appearances and ages simply because there's more luck and less planning and pre-selection involved. We're also looking at a completely different kind of perpetrator, since the pathology of someone who rehearses and brings a tape recorder to a public place with him for the purpose of fulfilling an elaborate sexual fantasy, is completely different than the psychology of someone who just sees an opportunity and snatches a kid off of a secluded path using a gun or knife. In the latter case, the M.O. may be completely different for each crime, because we're talking about someone who's less organized and who does less planning, is cruder and less sophisticated, and thus depends more on the happenstance of finding a victim alone in a secluded place, than on experience or planning.

[Richard]

... if we assume that the Lyon sisters were actually abducted while in the mall, a public place where other children were present, by TRM (or someone very much like him) who targeted those girls from among the other children present using an elaborate ruse, then it's more likely that the abductor also committed similar crimes simply because the boldness and sophistication of the crime suggests both experience and preparation as well as possibly a deep pathological need that is unlikely to have been fulfilled with just one abduction. ...
If it's a crime of opportunity then any othe girls abducted by this perp may have completely different appearances and ages simply because there's more luck and less planning and pre-selection involved. ...
In the latter case, the M.O. may be completely different for each crime, because we're talking about someone who's less organized and who does less planning, is cruder and less sophisticated, and thus depends more on the happenstance of finding a victim alone in a secluded place, than on experience or planning.
Excellent analysis of this intriguing case. Because so little is actually known about how or where the girls disappeared, an exact determination cannot be made regarding the abductor's usual MO. His personality traits could be at either end of the spectrum you describe, or they may range throughout the spectrum.

For instance, the perpetrator might be a careful planner in all things;from victim selection, through the crime itself, to disposal of their remains. Or he could be completely disorganized and random in his operations.

He could also be somewhere in the middle of both ends. For instance, he might be a careful planner, but might rely on that element of opportunity to actually make his choice and his move.

He might also be the kind of individual who is constantly hunting for victims, and who will jump at the opportunity of grabbing a child who is alone. There seems to be that element in the Lyon Sisters' case, as well as in some of the other cases mentioned. For instance, most of the children mentioned in other cases were alone and away from their home or destination - possibly walking along a secluded road. The fact that so many of them are still missing would indicate that their abductor(s) were very careful afterward to ensure that no clues would be found.

Now the big question would be: did their abductor simply see them and instantly seize the opportunity to abduct them, OR did he possibly speak with them previously and arrange to be at the secluded place when they were?

In the specific case of the Lyon Sisters, I think that it is unlikely that their abductor (and it is most probable they were abducted) was a disorganized spur-of-the-moment kind of guy. The secluded pathway through the woods which has been mentioned was actually very short - probably less than fifty feet total. And it went from a large parking lot directly to a well developed housing area. (Today that same area is completely open and paved.) Had any attack taken place on two girls, one of them would certainly have been able to run for help, or other kids would have come upon the scene during the attack. Also, some sort of evidence of a strong arm attack would likely have been discovered, such as dropped items, etc. Also, if the abductor was a disorganized person, the girls or their bodies, or personal items would have been found shortly afterward - especially with all the press coverage and interest in the case.

It is more likely that the abductor was as you describe in the first part of your post; careful, organized, sophisticated, and experienced. It is most likely that he used a vehicle and a ruse to get the girls to go with him. He may have picked them up in the parking lot, or may have intercepted them on the back roads leading to their house, just on the other side of the wooded area/path.

[jttnewguy]

....The secluded pathway through the woods which has been mentioned was actually very short - probably less than fifty feet total. And it went from a large parking lot directly to a well developed housing area. (Today that same area is completely open and paved.)....Interesting case. How do you know this about the path? Do you live in that area? I grew up in Fairfax County and have been to that mall many times, but I wouldn't have any idea how to find that pathway.

[Richard]

Interesting case. How do you know this about the path? Do you live in that area? I grew up in Fairfax County and have been to that mall many times, but I wouldn't have any idea how to find that pathway.
I have a 1975 Map of that area, as well as more recent maps. I have also been there a few times to see what it is like. I believe that in the origional long thread, someone included a link to a map of the route of the girls.

Basically, it is believed that they either walked a block north on Plyers Mill Road from home and turned east on Drumm Ave, or that they first went east on Jennings, then cut through a yard to get to Drumm. Drumm Ave is blocked off for a block by large posts, so that there is no through vehicle traffic. In 1975, as today, it was completely navigable only on foot or by bicycle.

The girls traveled east on Drumm until it made a sharp left turn (northward) toward Viers Mill Road. At this point, they turned right onto Faulkner Drive, which dead ends in a small turn around. If you keep walking straight (east), you would go on a path through the woods and emerge in the Wheaton Plaza Parking Lot. Today the woods are gone, and the Parking Lot is very close to the turn around at the end of Faulkner.

As of a few years ago, the residential area was little changed from 1975, but in the past few years, a number of new condominium buildings have been going up along Drumm Ave.

Wheaton Plaza shopping center has changed drastically since 1975. Back then, it was an outside type mall, but today it is completely enclosed. The outside boundaries and the entrances, however, are pretty much the same as in the 1975 maps.

If you enter the Wheaton Plaza parking lot via the north entrance off Viers Mill Road, and continue straight along the western perimeter of the lot, you will shortly pass Faulkner Drive on your right, but will not be able to access it, except by parking your car and walking. This was also true in 1975. For an individual to have abducted the girls, he would have either had to get them into his vehicle in the parking lot, or he would have had to EXIT the parking lot onto Viers Mill Road, turning LEFT, and then making another immediate LEFT onto Drumm Ave to enter the residential housing area.

At that point, after abducting the girls, he would have to make a U turn back out Drumm to Viers Mill Road. If he chose to stay in the Residential Area, it would mean that either he had a pretty good knowledge of that maze of back roads, or that he was willing to take a tremendous chance at being seen with the girls by one of their neighbors.

[brother]

What do you believe connected these cases? Was the last girl you mentioned Lisa White?It was NJ.

[mere]

New Jersey connected these cases?

[BethInAK]

I went to school in media from 1974-1979 and remember a situation in about 1978 or 1979. I was 9 or 10. I had to stay after school for a performance later and for some reason my mother allowed me to go get dinner by myself in the cute town of Media. Media is the county seat and was pretty safe at the time. I walked downtown from school (a couple of blocks) got a scotties sub, visited the costume store, and headed back towards school.

About a block away a man pulled his car up next to me. He called out to me and asked me where I was going. I said I was going back to school. He asked me a couple of more questions and at some point he told me he would give me a ride. At this point I became afraid and RAN down the street towards my school, stopping at the corner to make sure it was safe to cross. He pulled up next to me again and asked me why I "took off like that". I was very scared at this point but from this corner I could actually see my school and I mumbled something about how I was back at school now, ran across the street and into the very safe feeling lobby of my wonderful little school.

I have some recollection of this mans car and what he looked like. I wonder if this person is related to Wendy Eatons disappearance. Its a small town, you know?

[Richard]

I went to school in media from 1974-1979 and remember a situation in about 1978 or 1979. ...
I have some recollection of this mans car and what he looked like. I wonder if this person is related to Wendy Eatons disappearance. Its a small town, you know?
I included Wendy Eaton's case in the origional thread for the Lyon Sisters because she went missing so close in time and area. There were also several other girls missing in Pennsylvania around that time, and in years following.

Her case may or may not be linked with that of the Lyon Sisters, but regardless of that, Wendy's case is still open and unsolved. Pennsylvania State Police, Cold Case Unit is in charge of the investigation.

Below is a case summary for Wendy Eaton, and I believe that there are more discussions of her case here on Websleuths. Just go to the "search" window and type in her name for other links on WS.

I would urge you to call the PA State Police at the number listed below and ask to speak with the officer in charge of her case. It is altogether possible that your information could be helpful, even after these many years.


----------------------------------------------
Wendy Eaton
Missing since May 17, 1975 from Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Classification: Non Family Abduction

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: May 26, 1959
Age at Time of Disappearance: 15 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 4'10; 90 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown hair; brown eyes.
Medical Conditions: Eaton is deaf in one ear.
Dentals: She wore orthodontic braces.
Marks, Scars: She wears corrective lenses and has pierced ears.

Circumstances of Disappearance
Eaton was last seen walking three blocks from her family's PA home on May 17, 1975 at approximately 3:05 PM. She was headed to the downtown area of Media, PA.

Investigators
If you have any information related to Eaton's case, please contact:
Pennsylvania State Police
215-459-4150

NCIC Number: M-361834859
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Doe Network: Case File 90DFPA

Link:
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/90dfpa.html

[BethInAK]

Thats what I was wondering, Richard - I will contact the troopers in PA.

[Richard]

In doing some google searching on this case, I found that the following website has copied some of my posts from this forum and started a topic thread with them.

Link:
http://www.crimeandjustice.us/forums/index.php?showtopic=8609&pid=203836&st=0&#entry203836

[Richard]

The following links were sent to me by a Websleuths member.

Here is an unsolved case of the abduction, rape, and murder of a Prince Georges County, Maryland girl, which took place on 28 August 1975. The area where this took place is not far from Bowie mall, which is one of the places where a "Tape Recorder Man" had been seen back in March of 1975.

These links are to newspaper stories about the murder of Elizabeth Archard, age 13. The story includes a composite sketch of a suspect, described as a white male, about 30 years old. He was between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet one inch tall, weight 180 - 200 pounds. Hair was described both as dark, and as light.

Evidently there were varying descriptions and two sketches in police files. One of those sketches is included in the first link below.

Because the text is hard to read, I have transcribed the story below the links.

first part with composite drawing:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/fireangeldancer/Annapolis1.jpg (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/fireangeldancer/Annapolis1.jpg)

and continuation here : http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/fireangeldancer/continuation1.jpg (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/fireangeldancer/continuation1.jpg)


Text:
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annapolis, MD Friday September, 4, 1975

Slain Girl Sexually Molested

Elizabeth Archard, the 13-year-old county girl, who was slain more than a week ago , was sexually molested, contrary to earlier reports, the Evening Capitol has learned.

Prince Georges County police spokesmen John Hoxie said this morning that the medical examiner's report did state that the teenager had been sexually molested but the police withheld that information even from the parents,

"Initially, we didn't think so (that she was sexually molested)," Hoxie said "But the autopsy showed she was."

Prince Georges County police , until now had not released any specific information from the medical examiner's report, claiming that they did not want to make public details that only the police and the suspect would know.

Hoxie said this morning that the police were also trying to spare Miss Archard's parents, Philip and Barbara Hale, further grief by withholding information that their daughter had been sexually molested.

The girl's body was found off Governor Bridge Road near Bowie on Aug. 29. She had been reported missing at 1 p.m. Aug, 28.

Police said she was last seen riding her bicycle at Forest Drive and Spa Road from a dental appointment to her 453 Waggamon Circle home.

Her new bicycle was found about 24 hours later near a pony riding ring on Spa road, about two miles from her home. Her body was found less than eight hours later. Police said she had been shot. Other reports indicate that she had been shot several times in the head.

Police are still searching for a man who was probably the last person to see Miss Archard alive.

At least three witnesses described the man, who was seen in a parked car near the riding ring on Spa road the day Miss Archard was reported missing.

The description of the man differ. While Prince Georges Couty Police publicly say they are using the second of two drawings of the man, sources at other police agencies say they are using the first and officially unreleased drawing.

They differ in some features. The key difference is in the hair. One witness told police the man had dark hair.. Two witnesses said he had light brown or blonde hair.

Prince Georges County Police refused to comment on the discrepancies.

The man is described as white, 30 years old, five feet eleven inches to 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 180 to 200 pounds.

He is heavy set with fair complexion. It was reported that he also had a light tan or sunburn on his face and arms .

He was seen in a 1970 to 1974 mid-size car, possibly a Ford or a Mercury. The two-door car possibly had dents on the driver's side and has a vinyl roof.

There are discrepancies in the descriptions of color, but most sources say it is rust-color.

Police say he is not a suspect, but, since he most likely seen Miss Archard he probably has valuable information.

Prince Georges County Police finished most of their interviews with residents in Wild Rose Shores, Miss Archard's community, and neighboring areas earlier this week. They are now investigating past sexual assaults and violent crimes in the area to find any possible connection with the murder of Miss Archard.

Hoxie said that police would have taken that course if Miss Archard had not been sexually molested. "We would have done that anyway" he said. "We have done that from the outset."

"It (sexual molestation) is most probable in this type of thing." he said.

To better coordinate the effort between Ann Arundel County and Prince Georges County police departments, an Anne Arundel County police detective will now.... (continuation...)
work as a liaison between the two departments.

After detectives from the two departments met yesterday, Hoxie said, they decided to have one detective from Anne Arundel County work with Prince Georges County "on a formal basis".

He will attend meetings and "critiques" at the Forrestville headquarters so that both departments are continually aware of what the other is doing, Hoxie Said.

[Richard]

Tracy Anne King disappeared on 8 July 1975 from a place just north of the Pensylvania/ Maryland state lines. Only about an hour drive north from Wheaton, Maryland. Could her abduction have been related to the disappearance of the Lyon Sisters?

----------------------------------------------
Tracy Anne King
Missing since July 8, 1975 from Littlestown, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
Classification: Non Family Abduction
Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: October 11, 1960
Age at Time of Disappearance: 14 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'3; 110 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Red hair; blue eyes.
Marks, Scars: King has a scar on her right ankle. She has pockmarks on her temple.
Dentals: Available

Circumstances of Disappearance
King was last seen leaving Hoffman Homes, a children's home in Mount Pleasant Township, Pennsylvania on July 8, 1975.

King was having problems at the time and was living at the home as a result. She had run away from the facility twice before, but King returned shortly thereafter both times. She has never been heard from again.

King apparently held no animosity towards her family and wrote them often from her stay in the home. Her letters are described as being those of a normal teenager at the time. King usually apologized for not writing more frequently. Her loved ones have searched for her since her disappearance in 1975.
King's family resided in Perry County, Pennsylvania in 1975.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning King's whereabouts, please contact:
Pennsylvania State Police, Gettysburg, 717-334-8111

NCIC Number: M-360386548
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.
Source Information:
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Doe Network: Case File 342DFPA
Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community - TRACY ANNE KING Missing: Jul 8, 1975 LITTLESTOWN, PA


Links:
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/342dfpa.html

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14977

[Richard]

A correction to my post regarding Elizabeth ARCHARD: The year that Elizabeth was abducted and murdered was 1978, NOT 1975.

Here is her listing in the Social Security Death Index:

Name ELIZABETH ARCHARD
Birth 25 Sep 1964
Death Aug 1978
Last Residence 21404 (Annapolis, Anne Arundel, MD (http://resources.rootsweb.com/USA/MD/AnneArundel))
Last Benefit (none specified)
SSN 215-82-4858
State issued Maryland

There was a three year separation between the the Lyon and Beatty cases and the murder of Elizabeth. Still, I wonder if there might be a connection?

[2sisters]

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43958

do you think these girls are connected? i apologize if this has been covered.

[Richard]

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43958

do you think these girls are connected? i apologize if this has been covered.
There are similarities in some of the other cases posted here. Circumstances such as time of day, remote locations, ages of victims, description of suspects, etc all play a part in trying to make a connection.

The problem is that in missing cases, there often is little or no forensic evidence to go on. Perhaps the solution to some of the missing cases is to find similarities to cases like that of Elizabeth Archard or Kathy Beatty - both of whom were abducted and murdered, and their bodies found.

[ShurlT]

For what it's worth, there's a Naval base in Annapolis. Though Coffey was discharged Sep 1974 he was in the Navy 12 years and could have been familiar with that area.

There was also a disappearance in Del Mar, MD Tuesday, 7-14-1981 (Kathryn Mae Quackenbush) which has a direct escape route straight into Virgina Beach, VA where Coffey was discharged after committing several crimes against children there. Most of the disappearances in MD and surrounding PA occurred on Tuesdays except for the 2 boys in Lisbon, NJ on Monday, 4-07-1975, the same day as the alleged sighting of the Lyon sisters in Mannassas, the Media, PA disappearance of Wendy Eaton on Saturday, 5-17-1975 and the attack of Kathy Lynn Beatty possibly a Thursday. Interestingly enough, she died on Tuesday, 8-5-1975.

Part of my original research took into consideration the possibility of disappearances on a certain day of the week as well as locations and proximity to the Rockville, Silver Spring area of MD and escape routes. I've always felt there may have been a reason for the Tuesday disappearances. Could it have been the day he was born? For a while it looked that way until NCDC changed his birth date from the 20th, a Tuesday, to the 19th, Monday but maybe there was another reason. Was it his day off? At that time I didn't know if he had a job or not. Was there some other unknown reason for most of these disapearances occurring on a Tuesday? Coffey was discharged on a Saturday. At least that's the date given somewhere on these threads of the Lyon sisters.
Coffey's pattern changed to Wednesdays in NC. WHY?

When I began my search on Fred Coffey in 2004 all this information was online on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and several others. Also, many newspaper articles under The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC have a lot of detail about the various Fred Coffey cases as well as about Coffey, himself, are online and several other websites have information on him for anyone who wants to do their own investigation or verification of information. However, the last time I checked The Charlotte Observer there didn't seem to be as many articles available as there was a year ago. I hope they don't delete any of this information since the case is still active. When I sent the information I had to MCP in 2004 I put a cover page documenting all the websites I had searched so they could verify the information if they chose to do so. As a genealogy researcher this is part of the protocol for genealogy research and I followed that procedure and others as a part of my research on Mr. Coffey. There is a lot of information about him online if anyone wants to take the time to research it.

What is lacking in all this information is proof positive that he is the culprit in all these abductions and there is little information online about the other abductions compared to the information on the Lyon sisters disappearance. If only there were more information available on these other disapperances. Did anyone see someone or a vehicle? Was anything found near the point of disappearance, etc.? DNA would help a whole lot if something could be found but then a case would have to be built around it to cement it. There is a need for much prayer in this area.
For now, it seems the Kathy Lynn Beatty case is the only one that MIGHT produce DNA if at all and if the evidence hasn't disappeared. Another area for prayer since Coffey may be extradited to Bristol, VA for the murder of Travis Shane King. The next best hope is if they could make a deal with him to confess and tell about these abductions in MD, PA and NJ - IF - he's guilty and where all these children are. It is so infuriating (sp?) to think that someone has the gall to snatch children off the street when ever they feel like it and they never can be found and the evil people that do these things won't tell what they've done with them or where they are. Something has to be done to put a stop to these people or some way has to be found to protect our children from them. There are too many missing children that cannot be accounted for. WHERE ARE THEY??? WHO TOOK THEM??? Confession is good for the soul. Cough it up!

[Richard]

ShurlT,

You make some excellent points and observations.

Besides the day of the week, and other factors mentioned, one might look at such factors as time of the month, phase of the moon, time of day, and weather.

At first glance, someone might disregard that sort of information, but you have to consider it, because those are factors which affect everyone in one way or another. Serial killers or Serial offenders (of whatever vice) all have patterns that they follow - just as everyone is a creature of habit in one way or another.

I once did a profile on the Unibomber for the FBI. This was before he was identified. From his 17 years of bombings, I drew up a chart which analyzed each crime based on day of the week, date and month, moon phase, etc. There were definitely patterns which could be seen. He also seemed to do his "work" in the spring and fall. I felt that he must be a gardener or hunter because he seemed to mail his bombs before planting season and after the harvest. The FBI, of course, never acknowledged any of this, except to riddicule the "moon phase theory" in Newsweek magazine. But in one of the first books about the Unibomber after his capture, one of their agents took credit for my analysis, and mentioned how accurate it proved to be.

My point, is that people are affected by different factors. Some get very depressed when it rains a lot. Others might get very active and productive at certain times because of the weather or season. If similarities appear along these lines in separate cases, perhaps links can be made and paths can be followed.

Just as forensic scientists look for similarities and matches in physical injuries, DNA, fingerprints, blood types, etc. The investigator has to look for behavior patterns in his suspects in order to track them down - or to predict where and when they might strike next.

[Richard]

Although this girl disappeared a little over a year after the Lyon Sisters went missing, and several states away, there are some very disturbing similarities in both cases.
Dorothy was between the Lyon Sisters in age and size. She was white and had blue eyes and wore glasses similar to those of Sheila Lyon. Dorothy's hair was light brown, while the Lyon sisters had blonde hair. Her hair was parted down the middle and was similar in style to the way Sheila wore her hair. It might also be noted that the girls bear a strong resemblence to each other.

In both cases, the last sighting of the girls was at 2PM, on a week day, at a Shopping Center. The clothing Dorothy was wearing was similar to that worn by Katherine Lyon (red top, blue jeans).

It might also be noted that Dorothy's disappearance occurred one year (almost to the day) after the abduction and murder of Kathy Lynn Beatty, whose body was found near a shopping center.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dorothy Delilah Scofield
Missing since July 22, 1976 from Ocala, Marion County, Florida.
Classification: Non-Family Abduction

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: January 8, 1964
Age at Time of Disappearance: 12 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 4'11; 100 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown, straight hair; blue eyes. Scofield wears eyeglasses; at the time of her disappearance, she was wearing teardrop-shaped frames.
Clothing: A red short-sleeved form-fitting shirt, blue jeans, a leather belt with a metal buckle, and green tennis shoes. Her glasses had gold wire rims.
Dentals: Her incisor tooth slightly covers her upper front tooth. One of her teeth was missing at the time of her disappearance.
AKA: Dee

Circumstances of Disappearance
Scofield and her mother went to a shopping mall together in Ocala, Florida on July 22, 1976. They went their separate ways once at the mall and agreed to meet later at a designated location; Scofield never arrived and has not been seen since. She was last seen at approximately 2:00 PM in the center.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning Scofield's whereabouts, please contact:
Ocala Police Department
Detective Mike Balken
352-629-8508
352-369-7070
You may remain anonymous when submitting information.

Agency Case Number: O76072084
NCMEC #: NCMC601894
NCIC Number: M-085578070
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
Florida Department Of Law Enforcement
The Doe Network: Case File 363DFFL

Link:
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/363dffl.html

[ShurlT]

Richard, I've been racking my brain as to how le could obtain DNA from the Kathy Lynn Beatty case and something just came to mind this afternoon. Do you think they would have cut her fingernails? If not, if her body was exhumed for that purpose would any possible DNA under her fingernails be degraded by now and not usable?

[Richard]

Richard, I've been racking my brain as to how le could obtain DNA from the Kathy Lynn Beatty case and something just came to mind this afternoon. Do you think they would have cut her fingernails? If not, if her body was exhumed for that purpose would any possible DNA under her fingernails be degraded by now and not usable?
The short answer is that it might be possible that DNA evidence could be obtained. But, remember that in 1975 nobody knew what DNA was, so even if a piece of clothing, or nail scraping, etc might have been saved for some reason, it has had 31 years to be contaminated, lost, or degraded. I think that if MCP had any such evidence, they would have tested it by now.

Kathy lived for 12 days after her attack, hospitalized and in a coma. I do not know any specifics, but it is quite possible that she was cleaned up during that time. There is a chance that some residual DNA might be still in existance, but that would require a costly exhumation and examination. It has been done for others, however.

[BigDaddy]

ShurlT,

You make some excellent points and observations.

Besides the day of the week, and other factors mentioned, one might look at such factors as time of the month, phase of the moon, time of day, and weather.

At first glance, someone might disregard that sort of information, but you have to consider it, because those are factors which affect everyone in one way or another. Serial killers or Serial offenders (of whatever vice) all have patterns that they follow - just as everyone is a creature of habit in one way or another.

I once did a profile on the Unibomber for the FBI. This was before he was identified. From his 17 years of bombings, I drew up a chart which analyzed each crime based on day of the week, date and month, moon phase, etc. There were definitely patterns which could be seen. He also seemed to do his "work" in the spring and fall. I felt that he must be a gardener or hunter because he seemed to mail his bombs before planting season and after the harvest. The FBI, of course, never acknowledged any of this, except to riddicule the "moon phase theory" in Newsweek magazine. But in one of the first books about the Unibomber after his capture, one of their agents took credit for my analysis, and mentioned how accurate it proved to be.

My point, is that people are affected by different factors. Some get very depressed when it rains a lot. Others might get very active and productive at certain times because of the weather or season. If similarities appear along these lines in separate cases, perhaps links can be made and paths can be followed.

Just as forensic scientists look for similarities and matches in physical injuries, DNA, fingerprints, blood types, etc. The investigator has to look for behavior patterns in his suspects in order to track them down - or to predict where and when they might strike next.
Richard, what is the name of your book about the Unibomber? I would like to read it. Thanks

[Richard]

Richard, what is the name of your book about the Unibomber? I would like to read it. Thanks
I think that you misunderstood my post.

I wrote a several page analysis on the Unibomber, his patterns and personality and sent it to the FBI. They did not acknowledge my work, except to make a passing derogatory reference to it after he was caught and when they were dismantling his shack.

My work appeared (without credit) in a book written six months later by one of the FBI officers who implied that my analysis was his own. I do not recall the name of the book or the author, but if you happen to see a book published shortly after Ted Kaczynski was caught - which goes into detail about moon phases, date/month patterns, and days of the week - that might be the one.

[moorestown gal]

Carolyn was missing from Moorestown NJ.
Carolyn Majane went missing from Moorestown, NJ. Not PA. One of my best friends in Moorestown growing up just wrote to me. I have lived away from Moorestown, NJ since 1976. Carolyn was a friend of hers; I met her once or twice, she was new in Moorestown, had not lived there long. Main St. was a local hangout for teenagers. Lots of teenagers went missing in the 70s; many were runaways. I just recently learned that Carolyn's body had been found 20 years ago. I don't suppose her cause of death has been determined? Are there any suspects? Very sad, as my hometown of Moorestown, NJ is just a small, historic Quaker town. A dry town, not any liquor sold there when I was growing up. All of us teens pretty much knew each other. When there was a party going on, word got around. I was 17 years old the August Carolyn went missing. Wendy Ellis, Moorestown gal.

[Richard]

Carolyn Majane went missing from Moorestown, NJ. Not PA. ... I just recently learned that Carolyn's body had been found 20 years ago. I don't suppose her cause of death has been determined? Are there any suspects? ...
I am not certain, but I do not believe that an exact cause of death was determined. Based on the fact that her body had been buried in a shallow grave in a (then) isolated area, it is most likely that she was murdered. Her body was discovered when a housing development was being built. There are no known suspects in her murder, that I know of.

Besides Carolyn's disappearance and the time frame, another factor (or perhaps coincidence) which possibly connects her case to that of the Lyon Sisters and to Kathy Lynn Beatty is that she was origionally from Montgomery County Maryland. She had only been living in Moorestown a short time before she disappeared.

[Richard]

On the Websleuths Cold Cases board there is a thread titled:
Neely Smith, age 5, murdered 1981, NC - Suspect: Fred Howard Coffey Jr.

The thread also discusses other cases, including those of the Lyon sisters and Kathy Beatty. I recently posted a timeline for Fred Coffey.
LINK:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16875

[mere]

Carolyn Majane went missing from Moorestown, NJ. Not PA. One of my best friends in Moorestown growing up just wrote to me. I have lived away from Moorestown, NJ since 1976. Carolyn was a friend of hers; I met her once or twice, she was new in Moorestown, had not lived there long. Main St. was a local hangout for teenagers. Lots of teenagers went missing in the 70s; many were runaways. I just recently learned that Carolyn's body had been found 20 years ago. I don't suppose her cause of death has been determined? Are there any suspects? Very sad, as my hometown of Moorestown, NJ is just a small, historic Quaker town. A dry town, not any liquor sold there when I was growing up. All of us teens pretty much knew each other. When there was a party going on, word got around. I was 17 years old the August Carolyn went missing. Wendy Ellis, Moorestown gal.
Thanks for sharing your memories. Do you remember if their was talk or speculation of what happened to Carolyn back in 1975?

[crimesleuther]

Good questions. It's a very long story........ Once upon a time, I lived in Washington D.C.....
Skipper, I would be very interested to hear more of this long story, as I'm sure many others here would as well. I see you haven't been on in a few months and hope that you are still coming on occassion and would be willing to enlighten myself and others as to this story of once upon a time long ago when you lived in Washington DC. If you have more information, or even strong suspiscions regarding people possibly involved in this case, please be so kind as to share this info with us, rather than dropping vague hints, so that we as a group could better ponder the possibilities of your thoughts on exactly what may have occured to these girls. Thanks in advance for your time....

CS

[Richard]

Elizabeth Ann Metzler
Abducted, molested, and murdered 6 December 1971
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
This case has a separate thread of its own in the WS Cold Case Forum, but because Anne Arundel County is just east of Montgomery County, Maryland, and because the murder occurred just a little over three years before the disappearance of Sheila and Kate, I post it here for consideration as to possible connections.

The below has been excerpted from a lengthly news article which discusses several unrelated, but unsolved Anne Arundel County (Maryland) cases. I have left out details of the other cases so as not to confuse facts in this case.

------------------------------------------------
The Capitol
Mon, Sept. 17, 1973
Annapolis, MD

When the body of 10-year-old Elizabeth Ann Metzler was found buried under a pile of trash along a litter-strewn deserted lover's lane in December 1971, Anne Arundel County Police Lt. Bernnard Kiessling pledged to work fulltime on the case until the little girl's murderer was found.

Now, nearly two years later, Kiessling is no longer putting in the seven-day-a-week schedule he kept up for six months but he is still hopeful the young girl's killer will be found. ...

The Metzler girl was last seen alive by neighbors walking along a dirt driveway to her home off Quarterfield road in the Ridgeway section of the county after leaving the Ridgeway Elementary school December 6, 1971.

After searching the rest of that day and for the next three days, her nude body was found about five miles from her house alongside an abandoned car off Harmons road.

The little girl had been strangled to death after being viciously assaulted.

Kiessling believes a man in his mid-forties may be the killer. A man spotted near the Metzler driveway by several persons leads police to believe their prime suspect may have brown or possibly dyed hair cut fairly short and combed forward. He may have bulging pale blue eyes and a ruddy complexion, similar to that of an outdoorsman. (See below link to view the composite sketch of the suspect).

In addition, a dirty white station wagon, probably fairly old, was seen in the vicinity of the girl's home.

Since the little girls abduction and death, police have questioned dozens of suspects and, according to Kiessling, have been within five minutes of charging two different persons with the slaying. Those cases fell apart at the last minute.

One person confessed to the killing on three occasions to three different persons, but police, after investigating, decided he could not have committed the crime.

Kiessling has sent investigators to seven states, checking into similar crimes and possible suspects.

To date, nothing has panned out.

Kiessling even recieved aid from a Virginia man who claims to have clairvoyant powers. "I don't believe in clairvoyants, but I can't completely discount them either," Kiessling said, adding that the man predicted to police that a girl with long black hair would be found murdered along Capitol Beltway. A few days later, such a girl was found dead. Police have ruled out the clairvoyant as a suspect, however.

The lieutenant has worked with the image of the Metzler girl's killer now for nearly two years and is convinced that whoever killed her has a mentally depraved mind.

"I'm very much afraid," he said," that this person committed a crime like this before or since."

One event which may have led Kiessling to that statement occurred just a few weeks after the Metzler murder, in Marietta Ga, where a 9-year-old girl was walking home from a laundromat disappeard and her body was found a few days later. The victim had wounds similar to those of the Metzler girl and police here believe that Elizabeth Ann's killer could easily have gone to Georgia after the Metzler slaying and committed the other crime.

The driveway from which the little (Georgia) girl was abducted led at one time to a nudist colony known as Hidden Village.

Her disappearance from that driveway was not the first such occurrance. In 1958, a 58-year-old man, William Brooks, was walking along the driveway when he was seized by two men who later killed him and stole his car. ....

(The article goes on to discuss several other unsolved cases unrelated to the murder of little Elizabeth Ann Metzler.)

Link below shows a composite sketch of a suspect in the Metzler case:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/fireangeldancer/conyers1.jpg?t=1173731814/

-----------------------
Additional information:
This case remained unsolved for seven years.

In 1978, a man named Richard Miles Chaney, dob 19 November 1939, was arrested, tried and convicted of the murder of little Elizabeth Ann Metzler.

He was sentenced to Life without Parole - the highest allowable sentence at the time. In 2002 and 2003, he appealed his sentence, but lost. Now age 67, he is still incarcerated at:

Maryland Correctional Institute-Jessup (http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/locations/mcij.shtml)
Address: P.O. Box 549, Jessup, MD 20794
Phone: 877-313-0632

Where was he on 25 March 1975?

[poppypetals]

I'm wondering if the man convicted of he Metzler murder did indeed have this off-white station wagon and if he was ever questioned about the Lyons sisters.

[poppypetals]

Found an old news article indicating that Chaney was fingered for this crime in May 1975, it says while he was serving a four year sentence for molesting his seven year old daughter. A witness at the scene actually identified him, she said, in February 1975, but had told police she didn't want to get involved in it. I guess depending on when he was arrested for molesting his own daughter and was he given jail time or probation ? Chaney's ex-wife developed him in early 1975 as a possible suspect in the Metzler case.

[JusticeForAll]

Do you have a link to the old article? I would be interested in reading it.

[poppypetals]

No, I'm really sorry, I can't link the article. It is off of a pay site. I'll tell you what though, this guy looks so much like the sketch of TRM it's not even funny. The likelihood that he was not in jail at the time of the Lyons sister's disappearance is very slim. He did definately have an off white station wagon.

[ShurlT]

Poppypetals, can you post the website address of the pay site or is it not for general public access? I wish there were some way to get a look at Chaney's picture. Didn't have much success finding anything on him just doing a regular online search.

Will somebody help me with this stupid question, please: My IM inbox is full. If I transfer the IM's I want to keep to folders can I delete the inbox without loosing the stuff I want to keep? Thanks.

[poppypetals]

newspaperarchives.com

[Richard]

...
Will somebody help me with this stupid question, please: My IM inbox is full. If I transfer the IM's I want to keep to folders can I delete the inbox without loosing the stuff I want to keep? Thanks.

There are probably several ways that you can save your pm messages. When I want to save messages, I select the message, and put my pointer at the top of it - above the name of the person who sent it. I then hold down the left finger button and slide the pointer down the message to amplify the text.

Next, I hold down the "control" key on my keyboard while hitting the "c" key. This stores the text in memory.

Now select a "write mail" icon and put your pointer in the place where the message goes. Hold down the "control" key again and hit the "y" key. This will take the PM in your memory and put it into the text of a message, which you can send to your e-mail address. You can then store the e-mail in a memory file on one of your drives and read it off-line.

Once you have stored your PM message where you want it, you can Delete it from your PM Box.

[Richard]

Elizabeth Ann Metzler
Abducted, molested, and murdered 6 December 1971
Anne Arundel County, Maryland...

In 1978, a man named Richard Miles Chaney, dob 19 November 1939, was arrested, tried and convicted of the murder of little Elizabeth Ann Metzler.

He was sentenced to Life without Parole - the highest allowable sentence at the time. In 2002 and 2003, he appealed his sentence, but lost. Now age 67, he is still incarcerated at:

Maryland Correctional Institute-Jessup (http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/locations/mcij.shtml)
Address: P.O. Box 549, Jessup, MD 20794
Phone: 877-313-0632

Where was he on 25 March 1975?

An update... Chaney is no longer residing at the Jessup Correctional Facility. All Jessup inmates were moved out last week and transferred to other Maryland Prisons. Jessup Prison was the oldest in the US and is now closed down. No word yet as to Chaney's new home.

[ShurlT]

Thanks, Richard, for helping me out with the inbox insruction. I couldn't get back to you the last time we IM'd and have another instruction question for you when I get the box cleaned out. Will take a day or so.

Would it help to search on "Maryland Department of Corrections" to locate Cheney? Wonder why MD doesn't put pictures of inmates up.

[Richard]

...
Would it help to search on "Maryland Department of Corrections" to locate Cheney? Wonder why MD doesn't put pictures of inmates up.

The website does not list the new addresses yet. It will have them when the site gets updated and the inmates get settled in. As to why Maryland does not include a photo of each inmate - I don't know. They probably don't want to infringe on their rights. Some other states do include photos, while other states do not even have a locator.

Here is a link to a free website where you can search for inmates:

http://www.inmatesplus.com/

[ShurlT]

Thanks Richard. I have checked that out couple times and again just now. It still says he's at Jessup. Probably a good idea to keep checking periodically. Maybe they will update it when they're settled, as you say.
Regards.

[Chesapeake]

Thanks Richard. I have checked that out couple times and again just now. It still says he's at Jessup. Probably a good idea to keep checking periodically. Maybe they will update it when they're settled, as you say.
Regards.

I had reason to use the locater to see where the murderer of my cousin was transferred when they closed Jessup. I found he is in Hagerstown. While googling I came across anarticle about the closing of Jessup that stated 97 of the most problematic prisoners were transferred out of state...maybe Chaney was one of those and the out of state prison he was transferred to doesn't have a locater...just a thought.

[Richard]

It has been mentioned that perhaps a similar case somewhere might be the link which solves the case of the missing Lyon Sisters. There have been a number of such cases mentioned as having similarities. Here is one which I recently posted in the Cold Cases, but which might have a common link to the Lyon Girls.

One of the strongest possible suspects in the Lyon Sisters disappearance is Fred Howard Coffey, Jr. He came to Maryland LE attention in 1987 when he was convicted in North Carolina of 9 counts of child molestation and later was convicted of the murder of a five year old girl.

The case below is an unsolved Missing Person Case from Virginia Beach, home to Fred Coffey in 1975 and location of at least two other crimes against children committed by Coffey. Note that although Judy was 22 years old, she was only 5 feet tall and weighed just 100 pounds. Note also that she had blue eyes - as did the Lyon Sisters.


------------------------------------------
Judy Ann Sylvester
Missing since January 24, 1977 from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: July 8 1954
Age at Time of Disappearance: 22 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'0", 100lbs
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown hair; blue eyes.
Jewelry: Hand made necklace

Circumstances of Disappearance
Judy was last seen in 1977. She did not show up for work or pick up her paycheck from the restaurant she worked at in Virginia Beach.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Virginia Beach Police Department
757-427-8300

Agency Case Number: 2001006572

NCIC Number: M-071329422
Please refer to these numbers when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
NMCO
The Doe Network: Case File 684DFVA


LINK:
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/684dfva.html

[Jeb]

Richard, fantastic job-as always. Everytime I hear of a case of this nature I can't help but think 'is this some of Freds work'. I believe Fred Coffey to be a serial killer possibly with numbers as high as Ted Bundy. He is suspect in numerous cases of the southeast. When he did that 12 yr. hitch in the Navy, he may have killed throuhout the US., & possibly Asia too. If we knew when & where he was stationed, it would help. I was told Fred had 3 vehicles, & no wonder, since some of these type killers drive 100K miles per year, riding around looking for victims. In my mind, Fred is suspect in all of these type cases commited between the early 60's & late 1986. I just hope LE checks some of the victims found with DNA left behind, against the DNA of Fred Coffey.

[ShurlT]

This is a Test. Once again the site is telling me I'm not logged in.

[ShurlT]

Jeb, please check your private messages.

[emery]

Hello, I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place for introductions, but I couldn't find an introductions thread, so here it is.

I've been reading over the threads relating to Sheila and Kate Lyon with much interest. I found this website after learning yesterday that a fictional novel, What the Dead Know, inspired by their disappearance has been published (and recommended on Salon.com as one of their recommended summer reading).

Like others here (how amazing, I wonder if I knew any of you then), I lived in Kensington in 1975 when the Lyon sisters went missing. In fact, I lived less then a quarter of a mile from them, on Glenway Drive, and went to Oakland Terrace Elementary School with Kate. She was a year older than me, so I didn't know her well, but I remember her. I have several vivid memories of her in the halls and at recess on the fields and playground. She was a very pretty girl with white-blonde hair. Very wholesome girl next door. I don't ever recall seeing or meeting her older sister.

Despite our close proximity, we did not run in the same neighborhood "pack" after school. I think this may be because a tributary of Rock Creek ran between our two parts of the neighborhood and our gang generally stayed on our side and their's on their side.

It has been very interesting to read other kid's reminicensces about the neighborhood at that time. And also interesting to consider possible adbuction strategies based on the character and layout of the neighborhood.

As a kid, I and all of my friends ran all over that area. It's not like today. My oldest son will be nine in September, and I would never dream of letting him run out of the house with a shout to be back by dinner time. Yet, that's what our parents did back then.

Some, perhaps trivial and even irrelevant, observations:

The neighborhood was very quiet. I've read many others here speculate that this would have made a car or van abduction along Drumm Avenue very difficult because neighbors would have noticed. I've thought a lot about this. First, although the neighborhood was quiet, we did not generally know people outside our immediate area. I, and my parents, had friends along Glenway Drive and Farragut Avenue and a few friends on the part of McComas that ran near our street. But, for instance, I only knew one boy who lived on the part of Drumm Avenue that intersected with McComas. I had only one friend on Jennings Drive. I vividly remember her because she was one of the only kids in my grade that had a swimming pool in her back yard and it was a big deal to get invited to her house. So, if I had been walking down Drumm Avenue in 1975, I don't think any of the people on that street, with the possible exception of the boy I mentioned, would have known me at all.

So, despite the fact that it was a quiet neighborhood, folks generally kept to themselves and their immediate neighbors.

And, it really was a quiet neighborhood in the sense that there weren't a lot of people outside most of the time. Mostly just kids playing. It's not like today when it is common to see people out jogging or walking with strollers. I never saw such things when I was a kid and roaming the neighborhood. Frankly, I think it would have been very easy to either lure or strong arm the girls into a car on Drumm Avenue and no one else be the wiser. It would just be a matter of timing and the opportunity would be there most of the time.

So, if you're ruling out the little boy's sighting of the girls on Drumm Avenue because of the quiet, close-knit character of the neighborhood, I'd rethink that.

Now, the point about how difficult it would be to follow the girls from Wheaton Plaza through the neighborhood is a much stronger one. It's been a long time since I was in the neighborhood (moved away in 78 and have been back only a few times) but I recall that the streets were quite winding and that the most common walking route to the Plaza involved cutting through several vacant lots or unpaved areas. In other words, if one was heading to Wheaton Plaza or Glenmont Pool, which was next to Wheaton Plaza, one would not walk only on streets. So, a car trying to follow the two girls out of the mall and on their way home, would have had trouble. To do it, I think the person would have had to be very familiar with the layout of the neighborhood and the path used by folks walking to the mall. In other words, someone who knew how the foot traffic went, could watch the girls leave the mall, zip around from University Blvd and into the neighborhood and then wait for them at a point along Drumm. This scenario needs the perpetrator to be very familiar with the neighborhood and how walkers get to the mall from it and also with the general direction the Lyon sisters would be moving in (in other words, where they lived in the neighborhood). This is because, if they had lived elsewhere in the neighborhood (say Jennings near Maybrook Avenue, for instance), they would not have headed down Drumm at all to get home.

This suggests that, if the girls were abducted while walking home, the perpetrator lived in the area and knew (or knew of) the girls at least somewhat, enough to know they lived over on Pliers Mill past the school. Other facts suggest the abductor knew the girls. The fact that he was able to get both of them in the car and without anyone noticing also suggests he was familiar to them.

The idea that the abductor was not a stranger to the neighborhood doesn't jive well with the Tape Recorder Man, though, as that man appears to have been a stranger to the Lyon family and didn't get recognized by neighborhood residents once the sketches were released. So, despite the oddity of his presence at Wheaton Plaza on that day, I wouldn't jump to a firm conclusion that he was involved. I agree that he might have been, but I wouldn't get wedded to the idea.

Also, there are (or were) several wooded areas between Wheaton Plaza and the Lyon home where an abduction could have taken place. I'm really glad this never occurred to me while I was a kid because I ran all around in those woods and the thought that the crime occurred there would have totally creeped me out and probably caused me to stay in my yard. But, I wonder now if they weren't grabbed in one of those areas.

First, where Drumm Avenue intersects with McComas, there used to be a nursing home (perhaps it's still there?) that had a lot of land around it and a pond. Then adjacent to that and backing up to Jennings was a large wooded area. Relying on my memory as a ten-year old, I'd say it was at least 5 or 6 acres. It was very overgrown, full of woods and fallen trees and a dry creek bed, I think. I walked on a path through these woods to Jennings every day on my way to and from school. If the girls cut through this path to Jennings as well, this would have been a great opportunity to grab them, and even kill them, without anyone seeing a thing. Now, obviously their bodies weren't ever found there. And, from mapquest it appears a subdivision now sits were the woods were, so I'm assuming if their bodies were there, they would have been found when the land was clear cut and graded. That means, if they were grabbed (and killed) in those woods, the perpetrator had to remove their bodies without being seen. That would have been a very tricky feat.

There is also a large wooded area around the creek between Glenway Drive and Pliers Mill. With the exception of a plant nursery on the part of Drumm Avenue that comes off of Pliers Mill, this area was undisturbed and fairly isolated. Kids played in here all the time. There was even a rope swing down by the creek that we all loved to go and swing on. It was a popular hang out for years. I'm sure, during my five years living there, I climbed and crawled all over every square inch of that area. I also don't think the Lyon sisters would have had need to go down in there to get home. I think their most direct route home would have had them walking Drumm to McComas then around the nursing home and through the vacant lot at the end of Glenway Drive and up the hill to where Drumm Avenue started up again and dumped them out on to Pliers Mill. Or dwon Drumm to McComas, around the nursing home and through the path in the woods to Jennings and then to Pliers Mill. Those are the only two ways I would have walked from Wheaton Plaza to Pliers Mill at that time, anyway.

That portion of Drumm coming off Pliers Mill was quite isolated in 1975. My friend Becky lived at the dead end of Drumm and a boy my age named Rusty lived at the nursery. That road had a very rural feel to it, despite the suburban surroundings. It wasn't residential at all. So, that might be another good point to grab the girls and get them in a car without anyone seeing.

I know I'm just rambling here. Reading everyone's posts has just brought a lot of it back to me. I remember when the girls went missing. How scared and upset everyone was. For we children, it was quite eery. Funny, though. It really wasn't the end of my innocence. After a few months, we were all back running around the neighborhood like a pack of wild dogs. We played capture the flag, explored old Mr. Boyd's mansion and grounds (now Kensington Heights Park) and walked to Glenmont pool or McDonald's on summer days. I can even remember leading expeditions with flashlights up the storm drains to Glenmont pool in six grade! (It seemed very cool at the time, but now I wonder what I was thinking! Yuck!)

I want to say that I admire the rigorous and intelligent way some of you here, especially Richard and Thrasher, keep turning over and examining every possible clue and connection. There's always a chance something, even something small and seemingly inconsequential, you uncover will help solve the mystery of the Lyon sisters' disappearance.

As I've read through all the analysis and comments here, I've found myself becoming increasingly frustrated. It's very hard to know that I was there at the time and can offer nothing really to help with this case. I am also amazed at how little about the case I actually knew at the time. I think my parents must have shielded me from the details. I knew the girls were walking home from Wheaton Plaza and had been seen by a boy along the way, but I don't recall ever hearing about the Tape Recorder Man at the time. This fact is quite shocking to me now for several reasons. First, what if I or my friends had seen or encountered TRM somewhere? As far as I can recall, no one ever asked any of us. And I don't remember discussing it with my friends. Second, what if he had continued "interviewing" children. I would have had no warning to stay away from him and report him to my mother. I also never heard about the 15-year old girl abducted and left for dead in July 1975. I only learned about her while reading this board.

Well, enough for now. I want to do some more reading and see if anything else occurs to me.

And, if any of the Lyon family ever reads these board, my heart is with you all. I have thought of you and your missing girls many, many times over the years. I know this sounds odd, but I feel a strong connection to you and to Kate and hope someday we can learn what happened to her and her sister.

[joellegirl]

Welcome Emery! Please keep posting. You lived there at the time, know the dynamics of the neighborhood, and that helps. Even though you didn't know the sisters well, you vividly remember Kate, and that helps make them more real, not just another missing person. Of course we all know they were/are real, but it is always interesting to hear from someone who knew them or just simply saw them in their everyday life.

I've posted that I saw the neighborhood two years ago, and I know what you mean about the winding streets. It was pretty quiet, and with alot of trees. Plyers Mill seemed to be more of a busy road. Was it less busy then?

Again, welcome!

[emery]

I've posted that I saw the neighborhood two years ago, and I know what you mean about the winding streets. It was pretty quiet, and with alot of trees. Plyers Mill seemed to be more of a busy road. Was it less busy then?

Again, welcome!

Thanks for the welcome!

Even in 1975, Plyers Mill was a main artery between Connecticut and Georgia Avenues. I don't know how busy it is these days, but it was fairly heavily travelled then. For instance, we had patrols and a crossing guard on Plyers Mill to cross to get to the elementary school.

You know, what I remember about Kate is thinking that she was very pretty and confident. This may have just been a factor of her being a year older than me, but I admired her and was just a little intimidated by her. When she disappeared, I just couldn't believe it had happened to her. To my nine-year-old brain, she just seemed like someone to whom nothing bad would ever happen. Perhaps my first life lesson that bad things happen to good people.

[Richard]

Emery,

Thank you for your postings and insight to the area and the era.

You have done much to lend insight into what Kensington was like. I have visited the area several times, and in some ways, it is still the way you describe it. The "rural" area of Drumm Ave, however, is now the most heavily developed. There are many close town houses and appartments along the north side of the street today.

You are correct to say that perhaps the smallest thing could be that piece of the puzzle which solves this mystery. As you point out, there are many folks today who were children at the time, and who were never questioned. Yet, who better than the children who knew Kate and Sheila, to know their habits, friends, and their neighborhood?

You mention the wooded area as a potential abduction site. That was the first place that police focussed their search, along with every house, shed and yard between Wheaton Plaza and the Lyon house on Plyer's Mill Road. The search included use of specially trained tracking dogs.

I have personally trained and worked with such dogs, and feel that if there had been a physical attack or if the girls had been buried in that area, the dogs would have indicated very strongly. But I was not there and do not know the actual results of that effort. The news reports indicated that they did not find the girls, but that dogs had picked up some scent of the girls in the wooded area near Wheaton Plaza. This could have been a scent left by them when they walked TO the Plaza, however.

Were they abducted? Most likely, yes. By an acquaintence or a stranger? Hard to say. No acquaintences were ever developed as suspects, to my knowledge. Your observation that it would take someone familiar with the neighborhood to effect an abduction of two girls is well taken. It is one of the perplexing things about the case. Were they targeted well in advance? Or were they chosen on the 25th of March by a stranger who simply got very lucky in not being seen, and in intercepting the girls on those winding roads and foot paths? Perhaps the answer lies some where in between.

[emery]

The "rural" area of Drumm Ave, however, is now the most heavily developed. There are many close town houses and appartments along the north side of the street today.


I'm not surprised. Even in 1975 it seemed like a little rural oasis that couldn't last, perhaps a glimpse at what the area might have been like in the early 1900s. I think the nursery might have had something to do with that. I'm sure that every bit of undeveloped land around there has houses now.

[ShurlT]

I meant to post this thought a long time ago and forgot. Years ago, we used to do a flea market on the roof of the public parking building at the corner of Monroe and Jefferson in Rockville. I don't recall if it was every Saturday or once a month. Anyway, things would get busy from maybe 10:00 AM to about 2:30 PM and then the customers would disappear. At first, I didn't know why but checked my watch and it was 3:00 PM by then. What seemed to be happening I noticed every Saturday was that people must have gone home to be there by 3:00 PM to fix dinner. It's made me wonder if maybe this might have happened about the time the girls started home from the mall so that there weren't too many people on the streets or was whoever took them able to intercept them in the parking lot of the mall away from the eyes of other people. I know it's been said a boy saw them on the street but I've wondered if he was mistaken or if he actually had seen them on the way to the mall rather than on the way home from the mall. It's mind boggling why someon