SheWhoMustNotBeNamed
Former Member
Missing Since: December 1, 1986 from St. Louis, Missouri
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: July 30, 1984
Age: 2 years old
Height and Weight: 4'0, 80 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Biracial (African-American/Caucasian) female. Brown hair, brown eyes.
Details of Disappearance
Barnes's mother and stepfather, Elizabeth Ann Turek Vasser and Larry Vasser, had custody of her in 1986. They moved from Nashville, Tennessee to St. Louis, Missouri that year. Elizabeth, who was also known as Sissy, disappeared from their home in St. Louis on December 1, 1986. She was discovered in the Mississippi River over two months later in February 1987 as the victim of homicide. There was no trace of Barnes at the scene. Authorities know that Elizabeth worked as a prostitute for her husband on Independence Avenue in St. Louis; she remained unidentified for seven years, until her family members contacted authorities and reported Elizabeth and Barnes as missing persons. The investigation into Barnes's case began at that time.
Barnes was apparently last seen in Kansas City, Missouri with Larry on January 7, 1987. She disappeared from that location and has never been heard from again. Investigators located Larry in prison for armed robbery in the mid-1990s; he will be incarcerated until at least 2028. He told authorities that he knew where his stepdaughter was located. He has stated Barnes is "being looked after" by his family members and living under another name in the Kansas City area. She may not even know she is a missing child. At one point, Larry offered to give Elizabeth's mother photographs of Barnes and a recording of her voice, if she paid him $500.
Barnes was supposed to remain in the custody of other relatives after her mother's death. Due to the complexities in this case, Barnes's disappearance is classified as a Non-Family Abduction, although her stepfather claims to know her whereabouts. Her case remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
St. Louis Police Department
314-444-5371