Show Menu
Cheatography
  1. Home >
  2. Cheat Sheets >

Case Studies of Notable Missing Persons Cheat Sheet (DRAFT) by

Case Studies of Notable Missing Persons notes

This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.

The Disapp­earance of Madeleine McCann

Backgr­ound:
Date: May 3, 2007.
 
Location: Praia da Luz, Portugal.
 
Details: Three-­yea­r-old Madeleine McCann disapp­eared from her family's holiday apartment while her parents dined nearby. Her case became one of the most widely reported missing person cases in modern history.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Immediate Delays: The initial police response was criticized for delays in setting up roadblocks and inadequate forensic procedures at the crime scene.
 
Global Media Frenzy: The intense media coverage brought intern­ational attention but also led to the spread of misinf­orm­ation and numerous false sightings.
 
Suspect Theories: Various indivi­duals, including Madele­ine's parents, were considered suspects at different times, compli­cating the invest­iga­tion. In 2020, a new suspect, Christian B., was identi­fied, but no definitive resolution has been reached.
Current Status:
As of now, Madeleine McCann remains missing. Invest­iga­tions are ongoing, and while there have been recent develo­pments, the case remains unsolved.

The Disapp­earance of Tara Calico

Backgr­ound:
Date: September 20, 1988.
 
Location: Belen, New Mexico, USA.
 
Details: Tara Calico, 19, went missing while riding her bicycle near her home. Despite extensive searches, neither Tara nor her bike were found. A Polaroid photo discovered in a Florida parking lot in 1989, depicting a young woman resembling Tara bound and gagged, fueled specul­ation that she had been abducted.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Lack of Physical Evidence: There was very little evidence to guide the invest­iga­tion, and the photo found in Florida, while sugges­tive, could not be defini­tively linked to Tara.
 
Confli­cting Theories: Over the years, various theories have emerged, including abduction by local indivi­duals or involv­ement in a larger criminal network, but none have led to conclusive answers.
 
Time Lapse: As the case grew older, the trail grew colder, with fewer leads and less public attention.
Current Status:
Tara Calico remains missing, and her case is still classified as unsolved. In recent years, there has been renewed interest and invest­igation into her disapp­ear­ance, but no breakt­hroughs have been reported.

The Disapp­earance of Amy Lynn Bradley

Backgr­ound:
Date: March 24, 1998.
 
Location: Aboard the Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship, near Curaçao.
 
Details: Amy Lynn Bradley, a 23-yea­r-old American, disapp­eared while on a family vacation on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. She was last seen early in the morning on the balcony of her cabin, and despite extensive searches, she was never found.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Limited Witnesses: The last sighting of Amy was by her father, who saw her on the cabin balcony. The fact that the disapp­earance occurred on a cruise ship limited the number of potential witnesses and compli­cated the invest­iga­tion.
 
Potential Abduction: There have been multiple unconf­irmed sightings of Amy in the years following her disapp­ear­ance, leading to specul­ation that she may have been abducted and forced into human traffi­cking.
 
Jurisd­ict­ional Issues: The intern­ational nature of the case, with the ship being in intern­ational waters and docking in different countries, created challenges for law enforc­ement coordi­nation.
Current Status:
Amy Lynn Bradley remains missing, and her case is unsolved. The family continues to hope for her safe return, and there is a reward for inform­ation leading to her wherea­bouts.

The Disapp­earance of Emanuela Orlandi

Backgr­ound:
Date: June 22, 1983.
 
Location: Vatican City, Rome, Italy.
 
Details: Emanuela Orlandi, a 15-yea­r-old Vatican citizen, disapp­eared after attending a music lesson in Rome. Her case has become one of Italy’s most famous and mysterious disapp­ear­ances, with numerous conspiracy theories linking it to the Vatican, organized crime, and even intern­ational terrorism.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Complex Theories: Theories about Emanuela's disapp­earance include abduction by the Mafia, use as leverage against the Vatican, and even ties to the attempted assass­ination of Pope John Paul II. These theories have made it difficult to focus the invest­iga­tion.
 
Lack of Cooper­ation: The Vatican’s response has been criticized for a lack of transp­arency, leading to suspicions of a cover-up.
 
Confli­cting Evidence: Over the years, various pieces of evidence and witness testim­onies have pointed in different direct­ions, but none have conclu­sively explained what happened to Emanuela.
Current Status:
Emanuela Orlandi remains missing. Her case continues to attract signif­icant media attention, and new theories and potential evidence are still being invest­igated, but no definitive answers have been found.

The Disapp­earance of Andrew Gosden

Backgr­ound:
Date: September 14, 2007.
 
Location: Doncaster, England, UK.
 
Details: Andrew Gosden, a 14-yea­r-old boy, disapp­eared after leaving his home without telling his family where he was going. He was last seen on CCTV at London King's Cross Station.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Minimal Evidence: Despite extensive CCTV footage, there were very few leads on Andrew’s wherea­bouts after he was last seen.
 
Possible Abduction: There have been theories about Andrew being abducted or having run away, but no concrete evidence supports these theories.
 
Public Appeal: The case has involved numerous public appeals and searches, but no substa­ntial breakt­hroughs have been made.
Current Status:
Andrew Gosden remains missing. The case is still open, and there have been periodic updates and appeals for inform­ation, but his wherea­bouts are still unknown.
 

The Disapp­earance of Maura Murray

Backgr­ound:
Date: February 9, 2004.
 
Location: Haverhill, New Hampshire, USA.
 
Details: Maura Murray, a 21-yea­r-old nursing student, disapp­eared after her car crashed on a rural road in New Hampshire. Despite a witness seeing her at the scene, Maura vanished before police arrived, leaving behind her vehicle and personal belong­ings.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Unexpl­ained Behavior: Maura's actions leading up to her disapp­ear­ance, including withdr­awing money and sending an email about a fabricated family emergency, have baffled invest­iga­tors.
 
Rural Setting: The remote location of her disapp­earance made searches difficult, and harsh weather conditions likely hindered early efforts to find her.
 
Endless Theories: The case has sparked countless theories, ranging from abduction to voluntary disapp­ear­ance, but no solid evidence supports any particular scenario.
Current Status:
Maura Murray's disapp­earance remains unsolved. The case has garnered signif­icant online attention, leading to numerous indepe­ndent invest­iga­tions and a dedicated following, but her wherea­bouts are still unknown.

The Disapp­earance of Bryce Laspisa

Backgr­ound:
Date: August 30, 2013.
 
Location: Castaic Lake, Califo­rnia, USA.
 
Details: Bryce Laspisa, a 19-yea­r-old college student, exhibited strange behavior while driving home from college. He disapp­eared after his car was found overturned near Castaic Lake, with no trace of him nearby.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Erratic Behavior: Bryce's unusual actions before his disapp­ear­ance, such as giving away personal items and driving for hours without sleep, suggest he may have been in a distressed state, compli­cating the search.
 
Remote Location: The rugged terrain around Castaic Lake made searches difficult, and no trace of Bryce was found despite extensive efforts.
 
Lack of Clues: Aside from his abandoned vehicle, there were few clues as to where Bryce went or what might have happened to him after the crash.
Current Status:
Bryce Laspisa remains missing, and his case is unsolved. Theories range from accidental death to voluntary disapp­ear­ance, but no solid evidence has been found to explain his sudden disapp­ear­ance.

The Disapp­earance of Brandon Swanson

Backgr­ound:
Date: May 14, 2008.
 
Location: Near Lynd, Minnesota, USA.
 
Details: Brandon Swanson, a 19-yea­r-old college student, disapp­eared after his car became stuck in a ditch while driving home late at night. He called his parents for help, but after a series of disjointed conver­sat­ions, he was never heard from again.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Limited Inform­ation: The last commun­ication from Brandon was a phone call with his parents, during which he mentioned seeing lights and heading toward them. However, the exact location of those lights has never been determ­ined.
 
Remote Area: The area where Brandon disapp­eared is rural and sparsely populated, with numerous fields, waterways, and rough terrain, making the search difficult.
 
Theories of Accidental Death: Some believe Brandon may have fallen into a nearby river or succumbed to the elements, but despite extensive searches, no trace of him has been found.
Current Status:
Brandon Swanson remains missing. His case continues to receive attention, partic­ularly in discus­sions of missing persons in rural areas, but it remains unsolved.

The Disapp­earance of Sneha Anne Philip

Backgr­ound:
Date: September 10, 2001.
 
Location: New York City, New York, USA.
 
Details: Sneha Anne Philip, a 31-yea­r-old physician, was last seen on the evening before the 9/11 attacks. Her disapp­earance was initially assumed to be linked to the attacks, but there is no conclusive evidence placing her at the World Trade Center.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Timing of Disapp­ear­ance: The proximity of her disapp­earance to the 9/11 attacks compli­cated the invest­iga­tion, as thousands of people were missing in the aftermath.
 
Lack of Witnesses: There were no confirmed sightings of Sneha after she left her apartment on the evening of September 10th, and survei­llance footage provided no solid leads.
 
Theories of Voluntary Disapp­ear­ance: Some theories suggest Sneha may have volunt­arily disapp­eared or met with foul play unrelated to 9/11, but no evidence supports these scenarios.
Current Status:
Sneha Anne Philip was officially declared a victim of the 9/11 attacks in 2004, though her exact fate remains unknown. The case remains a point of discussion in missing persons invest­iga­tions related to large-­scale disasters.

The Disapp­earance of Claudia Lawrence

Backgr­ound:
Date: March 18, 2005
 
Location: York, England, UK
 
Details: Claudia Lawrence, a 35-yea­r-old chef at the University of York, was last seen on March 18, 2009. She failed to attend work the next day, and her disapp­earance was reported by her father.
 
Initial Invest­iga­tion: The police invest­igation revealed that Claudia had an active social life, and there were indica­tions that she may have been in relati­onships with several men, leading invest­igators to believe she may have met with foul play.
Develo­pments:
Invest­iga­tions and Arrests: Several men were arrested on suspicion of murder, but all were released without charge. Extensive searches were conducted, including at her home and in nearby areas, but no signif­icant evidence was found.
Current Status:
The case remains unsolved, with periodic reviews and appeals for inform­ation, but Claudia Lawrence’s wherea­bouts remain unknown.
 

The Disapp­earance of Asha Degree

Backgr­ound:
Date: February 14, 2000.
 
Location: Shelby, North Carolina, USA.
 
Details: Nine-y­ear-old Asha Degree disapp­eared from her home in the early hours of the morning. She was last seen walking along a highway, and some of her belongings were later found in a shed and near a constr­uction site.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
No Clear Motive: Asha's disapp­earance is puzzling because she left home volunt­arily, but there is no clear reason why she would have done so.
 
Sparse Evidence: Although some of her belongings were found, they did not provide concrete leads on her location or who might have taken her.
 
Long Time Gap: The passage of time has made it difficult to uncover new evidence, and despite renewed efforts, the case remains at a stands­till.
Current Status:
Asha Degree is still missing, and the case remains open. The FBI continues to offer a reward for inform­ation, and occasional updates keep the case in the public eye, but no definitive answers have been found.

The Disapp­earance of Jennifer Kesse

Backgr­ound:
Date: January 24, 2006.
 
Location: Orlando, Florida, USA.
 
Details: Jennifer Kesse, a 24-yea­r-old woman, vanished from her Orlando condom­inium. Her car was found a few days later, abandoned a mile away, and survei­llance footage captured an uniden­tified person parking it and walking away.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Uniden­tified Suspect: The person seen on survei­llance footage parking Jennifer’s car has never been identi­fied, and the grainy footage has made it difficult to determine any distin­gui­shing features.
 
Sparse Evidence: Other than the car, there was little evidence left behind, and no signs of struggle were found in Jennifer’s apartment.
 
Media and Public Attention: Despite signif­icant media coverage, no credible leads have led to Jennifer's wherea­bouts, and the case has grown cold over time.
Current Status:
Jennifer Kesse remains missing, and her case is still open. Her family continues to search for answers, and recent efforts to review the case file have brought renewed attention, but no breakt­hroughs have been reported.

The Disapp­earance of Brianna Maitland

Backgr­ound:
Date: March 19, 2004.
 
Location: Montgo­mery, Vermont, USA.
 
Details: Brianna Maitland, 17, disapp­eared after leaving her job at a restau­rant. Her car was found the next day backed into an abandoned house, with her belongings still inside, but Brianna was nowhere to be found.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Mysterious Circum­sta­nces: The odd positi­oning of Brianna’s car at the abandoned house and the absence of any struggle at the scene left invest­igators with few clues.
 
Potential Foul Play: There were rumors that Brianna was involved in a troubled social circle, possibly related to drugs, which may have led to foul play, but no evidence has conclu­sively supported this theory.
 
Time Gap: Initial delays in reporting her missing and searching the area may have resulted in lost opport­unities to find crucial evidence.
Current Status:
Brianna Maitland’s case remains unsolved. There have been periodic updates and renewed interest in the case, but no signif­icant leads have emerged.

The Disapp­earance of Suzy Lamplugh

Backgr­ound:
Date: July 28, 1986.
 
Location: London, England, UK.
 
Details: Suzy Lamplugh, a 25-yea­r-old estate agent, disapp­eared after leaving her office to meet a client known only as “Mr. Kipper.” Her car was found later that day, but Suzy was never seen again.
Invest­igation Challe­nges:
Unknown Identity of Client: The client, “Mr. Kipper,” has never been identi­fied, and the lack of inform­ation about him has been a major hurdle in the invest­iga­tion.
 
Lack of Evidence: Despite extensive searches and invest­iga­tions, no physical evidence has been found that could provide clues to Suzy’s fate.
 
Suspect Theories: Various indivi­duals have been considered suspects over the years, including convicted criminals, but no definitive link has been establ­ished.
Current Status:
Suzy Lamplugh was declared legally dead in 1994. Her disapp­earance remains one of the UK’s most famous unsolved cases, with periodic re-exa­min­ations by law enforc­ement but no resolu­tion.

The Disapp­earance of Ben Needham

Backgr­ound:
Date: July 24, 1991
 
Location: Kos, Greece
 
Details: Ben Needham, a 21-mon­th-old British toddler, disapp­eared on July 24, 1991, while playing near a farmhouse on the Greek island of Kos, where his family was staying.
 
Initial Invest­iga­tion: Greek author­ities and British police conducted extensive searches and invest­iga­tions, but no trace of Ben was found.
Develo­pments:
Theories: Over the years, various theories emerged, including the possib­ility that Ben had been accide­ntally killed by a digger operating near the farmhouse or that he had been abducted and taken abroad.
 
Excava­tions and Searches: In 2016, British police excavated sites on Kos based on new evidence suggesting that Ben might have died in an accident involving the digger, but no remains were found.
Current Status
Despite these efforts, Ben Needham’s fate remains a mystery, and his family continues to seek answers.