Police reopen case of Kelly Bergh-Dove disappearance
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One of them happened almost 40 years ago, when 20-year-old Kelly Bergh-Dove was abducted while she was working overnight at a gas station. All these years later, Harrisonburg police have officially reopened the case.
“It’s been a long 38 years,” says Rachel Bergh, Kelly’s mother. “This year has been harder for me. I usually cope with it. And you know, it bothers me. But this year [on the anniversary of Kelly’s disappearance], I cried all day.”
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New investigators, but not much movement. But this year, thanks to a pair of fresh eyes, Harrisonburg Police Department has officially reopened Kelly’s case.
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On the night of June 17th, 1982, Kelly had switched shifts with her sister. The gas station was busy that Thursday night, but she made time to call and chat with her mother.
“Then we said goodnight, see you tomorrow,” says Rachel. “I guess I was the last one to talk to her.”
But that wasn’t the last time Kelly picked up the phone. Just before 2:30 that Friday morning, she called police more than once.
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In that emergency call, Kelly mentions the gas station received what she called an “obscene phone call.” She said a man, who was previously in the store was quote “dressed improperly,” and she stated she saw him driving through the parking lot. In another call made a few minutes later, the tape skips. But Kelly told dispatch he was back and he was driving a “silver-colored ford.”
“I could tell in her voice that she was really scared,” said Elaine, referring to when she heard a recording of the call.
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Now, nearly 40 years later, Det. Brooke Wetherell can’t physically go back in time, but she’s using old reports and evidence to find new leads.
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She says Kelly was not the only person to go missing in Virginia during that time in the early 80′s. In the years around when Kelly was abducted, there are records that other gas station attendants called police and reported instances of indecent exposure.
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“I know it won’t bring Kelly back, but as far to know that that person is off the streets and we laid her to rest and we know where she’s at, it would feel amazing,” says Elaine.
“It would mean peace,” says Rachel.
This is where the family and police need your help. Detective Wetherell says there’s an important piece of the puzzle they’re missing. She asks if you were in the area or have any information about what happened the night Kelly disappeared to call Harrisonburg Police.
Police reopen case of Kelly Bergh-Dove disappearance