WY WY - Amber Scholz, 21, Rock Springs, 8 Nov 1981

Amber has been missing for 25 years now.

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Amber Elizabeth Scholz
Missing since November 8, 1981 from Rock Springs, Sweetwater County, Wyoming
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: May 7, 1960
Age at Time of Disappearance: 21 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'4, 115 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Medium-length straight brown hair; brown eyes.
Marks, Scars: Scholz has freckles across her nose and cheekbones. She had her tonsils removed and has a Caesarian scar on her abdomen from her son's birth in 1979.
Clothing: Last seen wearing a navy blue hooded sweatshirt; white blouse; Levi jeans; and white Nike tennis shoes. Scholz wore two rings: a gold band with a pearl; and a gold band with a sapphire and 16 diamond chips surrounding the stone.
Other: Blood type O
Medical Conditions: Scholz has a neurotic disorder which makes her highly susceptible.
Vehicle: 1971 Oldsmobile two-door couple with WY plates, 4-93AW. The VIN Number is 336871M208167.

Circumstances of Disappearance

Scholz went to a party in Rock Springs, WY on November 7, 1981 with her boyfriend and another friend. Scholz left the party around 3:00 - 3:30 AM on November 8 with another friend. The friend escorted Scholz back to her residence at 3102 Dewar Drive, Apt. #8 (Plaza Court Apartments). Scholz's friend then departed. This is the last time anyone saw Scholz.

Scholz's father called the police when he was unable to reach his daughter later that day. Upon entering her apartment, investigators found that there was no sign of a struggle or forced entry into her home. Scholz's purse and wallet were found in the kitchen, along with a payroll check from her job at a local cleaning service. Her watch was in the bathroom. Investigators determined that she appeared to be preparing her monthly budget when she left her apartment.

Scholz's car was missing from the parking lot; it is a 1971 Oldsmobile two-door couple with WY plates, 4-93AW. The VIN Number is 336871M208167.
Scholz was engaged in a custody battle over her son with her ex-husband, Lance Scholz, at the time of her disappearance.

Scholz was born in Fort Benning, Georgia. Her parents lived in Ohio, her former state of residence prior to moving to Wyoming.

Investigators
If you have any information on this case, please contact:
Rock Springs Police Department
307-352-1575
All information may be submitted on an anonymous basis.

NCIC Number: M-077939184
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case. Source Information: Rock Springs Police Department

Source Information:
The Doe Network: Case File 24DFWY

Link:
http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/24dfwy.html

It has been 8 months since I first posted this. Although 115 persons have viewed it, there have been no replies to date. Bumping it up for consideration. It would seem with all the information available on her location and acquaintences, there should have been some leads or suspects.

Here is an updated Link:

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/24dfwy.html

I'll toss around some questions. The first question I would ask is if anyone saw her at this party wearing the watch? Or with the wallet or purse at this party? Also were her keys (to the apartment) in the apartment? The answers would help determine if she even made it into her apartment. Of course there are people that I assume the police have investigated including the people at the party, the boyfriend, the ex...I would wonder who the father believes is involved, or is he around anymore? Were there any newspaper articles to follow this story up? Her son would be nearly 30 years old, I'd imagine he may be interested in rekindling interest in the case. I find the reference to her having a "neurotic disorder which makes her highly susceptible" a bit confusing. Susceptible to what? Do they mean vulnerable? What type of mental health diagnosis did she have? It may have been acceptable terminology in the 80's, but I don't believe that "neurotic" was ever an actual mental health diagnosis. Maybe I'm wrong. I guess what I'm saying is that it feels like someone may have been trying to minimizing her disappearance with these statements.

I stand corrected. To say that one had a "Neurotic Disorder" was, at one time, accepted terminology. IMO It still remains a very vague term to use and only appears to be questioning the significance of her disappearance.

Would have to have medical records of Amber, but...

The Doe Network:
Hot Case 409 Unidentified White Female

• The victim was discovered on October 7, 1982 in Colusa County, California
• Estimated Date of Death: October 1, 1981
• State of Remains: Skeletal

Vital Statistics

• Estimated age: 20-26 years old
• Approximate Height and Weight: 5'1"-5'4"
• Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair. Fracture of lower left leg; pin through right femur. Plate screwed to right femur with the words "VITALIUM 3 3/4".
• Clothing: Red/white/blue blouse; brown cord pants; brown lace, leather, rubber-soled shoes size 5 - 5 1/2.
• Personal Effects: Silver ring; silver pendant necklace with Hebrew writing; pair of crescent shaped earrings, 3 1/2 inches, 1 white and 1 brown; round pin-brooch; gold color frame sunglasses.
• Dentals: Available

Case History
The victim was located in Colusa County, California on October 7, 1982.



Agency Case Number:
482-2013

I found a little more information in the web. "Missing Persons, November 8, 1981, Rock Springs Wyoming: On November 8, 1981 Amber Scholz disappeared from the Rock Springs area. She was last seen outside her apartment at approximately 3:30 am on 11-8-81. Amber's apartment showed no sign of a struggle, and several personal items were left behind. She was in a child custody dispute with her ex-husband John Burkhardt at the time of her disappearance. Amber was originally from Hamilton OH and was also known to visit the Denver area from time to time." http://peace4missing.ning.com/xn/detail/2153128:Topic:47705.

http://www.angelfire.com/mi3/mpccn/scholz.html

The link above says her car was never recovered.

Does anyone know what that city would have been like in 1981?

I looked at the google maps and the area doesn't have a body of water that her car could be located within.

What is the terrain like at ground level surrounding the city? TIA.

i haven't been to Rock Springs for years, but I do have a friend who lives there who might be able to provide more information.

Rock Springs is a small town. Back in the 1980's it was mostly made of mobile homes. It is a mining town. From what I recall, it was also part of the big oil boom. Back in the late 1970's and 1980's, the oil companies were doing a lot of drilling in Rock Springs and Vernal Utah (that's why it was mostly mobile homes). I had several high school friends go to work in these town after graduating. The oil companies needed a lot of people and they paid exceptionally well.

I believe the area surrounding Rock Springs is flat and desolate. There is a lot of sage brush and dust storms since there is no mountain range. I will contact my friend and find some more specifics about the terrain.

Kat said:

Does anyone know what that city would have been like in 1981?

I looked at the google maps and the area doesn't have a body of water that her car could be located within.

What is the terrain like at ground level surrounding the city? TIA.

Click to expand...

Flaming Gorge Reservoir is about 65 miles away. It is a huge deep reservoir. It is surrounded by a large mountain range called Ashley National Forest. It is mostly steep rock cliffs surrounding the lake. However, there are some boatramps and sandy beaches. IMO if someone dumped a car or a body in Flaming Gorge, it would never be found.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou....543026,-109.429321&spn=0.632404,1.194763&z=9

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond justice57.

In a few of the missing persons cases we have here that are decades old, we also find that the missing persons car has also never been found.

I always wonder if the car and the missing person are in the same place. Possibly.

Or if a crime took place within that car, and it had to be gotten rid of because of the evidence left behind.

When I look at those cases, my first instinct is to look at the immediate surrounding area. To see where a car might be hidden in the terrain. Of course, it's always possible that the car is hidden on someone's property as well. Just a starting point for me is all.

For instance, we have an old case here on Oahu that is no longer being investigated. A case where two elderly people went for a drive (reportedly) and they nor the car they were driving has been seen again.

This is a very small island. Very. Would it have been possible that they drove into the ocean? Hardly. That scenario is almost nill considering the landscape here.

But we do have a few reservoirs here on the island that are deep. I always wondered when we drive by if the car is in one of them.

Or if the car was taken to a chopshop which is always another possibility in these cases. There is a case of a missing woman here in these subforums where she was due to testify against her Husband about his activities involving a chop shop and she disappeared before she could testify and her car has never been found either.

All JMHO.

Kat said:

...In a few of the missing persons cases we have here that are decades old, we also find that the missing persons car has also never been found. ...

When I look at those cases, my first instinct is to look at the immediate surrounding area. To see where a car might be hidden in the terrain. Of course, it's always possible that the car is hidden on someone's property as well. Just a starting point for me is all.

For instance, we have an old case here on Oahu that is no longer being investigated. A case where two elderly people went for a drive (reportedly) and they nor the car they were driving has been seen again.

This is a very small island. Very. Would it have been possible that they drove into the ocean? Hardly. That scenario is almost nill considering the landscape here. ....

Click to expand...

Also the number of SCUBA divers on the island would almost ensure that a car dumped in the ocean would be discovered.

8 November 2011 will mark 30 years since Amber went missing.

http://www.kgwn.tv/story/16162419/cold-case-gets-new-look-in-rock-springs

Posted: Dec 01, 2011 2:04 AM Updated: Dec 01, 2011 2:04 AM

Police presume Scholz is dead but the case remains open. It is the only unresolved missing person case in Rock Springs.

Click to expand...

http://www.rocketminer.com/stories/...ort=&content_class=&sub_type=stories&town_id=

The article says about Amber:

"Amber Scholz was a headstrong teenager, determined to forge her own path when she left her home in Ohio at 18 to start anew in Rock Springs. Her sister said she was generous, but had a mean streak and often associated with other rebellious spirits. "She was no angel," said her sister, Bobbie Lenhof. "But she'd give you the shirt off her back, and she'd protect you."





I just don't see how that fits in with what Charley project says about her:


"Scholz has a neurotic disorder which makes her highly suggestible and easily influenced by people."




If she was headstrong AND suggestible that was an interesting combination of personal traits that probably led her straight into trouble.

Concerning Amber E. Scholz,
First of all who diagnosed Amber with a neurotic disorder? No one in her family has EVER heard of this! Highly susceptible? What do you mean?
Why all the questions about her car? Of course that info would help in any investigation, but has ANYONE besides Detective Sgt. Robinson talked to Amber's family about this? Her vehicle was stolen approximately a year before her disappearance. It ended up in Utah in an impound lot. Amber could not afford to get it out, so she was without the car!! However, she was able to get
her personal belongings out of it.
Another thing why does everyone refer to Amber being married? She was NEVER married! However, she was involved in a custody dispute with the father of her 2 year old son. The father was her ex-boyfriend, John B.
Someone mentioned 2 really good questions:
1. Were Amber's keys found in her apartment? I don't remember keys being amongst her personal belongings that were sent to her parent's home in Ohio.
2. Who does John B. (her ex) think was involved in her disappearance?
If anyone would like to contact her family please contact Detective Sgt. Robinson with the Rock Springs Police Department.
Another thing, someone mentioned if Amber's son who is now in his 30's, would like to stir things up in the investigation? Probably not, if it would find that his father is involved with his mother's disappearance????? Then he would be without both parents! Just a thought. Maybe someone would like to question John B.'s brother Mike B.???

Amber'ssister2 said:

Concerning Amber E. Scholz,
First of all who diagnosed Amber with a neurotic disorder? No one in her family has EVER heard of this! Highly susceptible? What do you mean?
Why all the questions about her car? Of course that info would help in any investigation, but has ANYONE besides Detective Sgt. Robinson talked to Amber's family about this? Her vehicle was stolen approximately a year before her disappearance. It ended up in Utah in an impound lot. Amber could not afford to get it out, so she was without the car!! However, she was able to get
her personal belongings out of it.
Another thing why does everyone refer to Amber being married? She was NEVER married! However, she was involved in a custody dispute with the father of her 2 year old son. The father was her ex-boyfriend, John B.
Someone mentioned 2 really good questions:
1. Were Amber's keys found in her apartment? I don't remember keys being amongst her personal belongings that were sent to her parent's home in Ohio.
2. Who does John B. (her ex) think was involved in her disappearance?
If anyone would like to contact her family please contact Detective Sgt. Robinson with the Rock Springs Police Department.
Another thing, someone mentioned if Amber's son who is now in his 30's, would like to stir things up in the investigation? Probably not, if it would find that his father is involved with his mother's disappearance????? Then he would be without both parents! Just a thought. Maybe someone would like to question John B.'s brother Mike B.???

Click to expand...

:welcome: Thank you for the important information. It must be hard for you to read much of this stuff.

Here is what Amber's case file on the Doenetwork website currently states. It was last updated on 13 November 2011.

If there are inaccuracies, they should be contacted by the family or by the LE case officer to make corrections or to include more information or photos.

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Amber Elizabeth Scholz, 21, Missing November 8, 1981 from Rock Springs, WY

Amber Elizabeth Scholz
Missing since November 8, 1981 from Rock Springs, Sweetwater County, Wyoming
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics

Date Of Birth: May 7, 1960
Age at Time of Disappearance: 21 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'4, 115 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Medium-length straight brown hair; brown eyes.
Marks, Scars: Scholz has freckles across her nose and cheekbones. She had her tonsils removed and has a Cesarean scar on her abdomen.
Clothing: A navy blue hooded sweatshirt; white blouse; Levi jeans; and white Nike tennis shoes. Scholz wore two rings: a gold band with a pearl; and a gold band with a sapphire and 16 diamond chips surrounding the stone.
Other: Blood type O
Medical Conditions: Scholz has a neurotic disorder which makes her highly susceptible.
Vehicle: 1971 Oldsmobile two-door couple with WY plates, 4-93AW. The VIN Number is 336871M208167.

Circumstances of Disappearance


Scholz went to a party in Rock Springs, WY on November 7, 1981 with her boyfriend and another friend. Scholz left the party around 3:00 - 3:30 AM on November 8 with another friend. The friend escorted Scholz back to her residence at Plaza Court Apartments. Scholz's friend then departed. This is the last time anyone saw Scholz.

Scholz's father called the police when he was unable to reach his daughter later that day. Upon entering her apartment, investigators found that there was no sign of a struggle or forced entry into her home. Scholz's purse and wallet were found in the kitchen, along with a payroll check from her job at a local cleaning service. Her watch was in the bathroom. Investigators determined that she appeared to be preparing her monthly budget when she left her apartment.

Scholz's car was missing from the parking lot; it is a white 1971 Oldsmobile two-door couple with WY plates, 4-93AW.

Scholz was engaged in a custody battle over her son with her ex-husband, at the time of her disappearance.

Scholz was born in Fort Benning, Georgia. Her parents lived in Ohio, her former state of residence prior to moving to Wyoming.

Investigators

If you have any information on this case, please contact:

Rock Springs Police Department
307-352-1575


All information may be submitted on an anonymous basis.

Agency Case Number: 81-505-745

NCIC Number: M077939184

Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:

Rock Springs Police Department
NamUs MP#9573
The Doe Network: Case File 24DFWY

LINK:

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/24dfwy.html

Bumping case up. It has now been 31 years since Amber went missing.

Bumping this case up again. It has now been 35 Years since Amber's disappearance.