Strange Disappearances That Remain Unsolved Today

The world is full of unexplained vanishings, where people just disappear. A recent study found 15 mysterious missing persons cases that still puzzle everyone. These baffling disappearances go back centuries, from Virginia Dare in the 16th century to Lauren Spierer in the 21st.

These cases involve people of all ages, from kids to famous authors. They vanished in different places, like at sea or on college campuses. Despite lots of searches and media coverage, we still don’t know what happened to them. Their stories are a haunting reminder of the unexplained vanishings that still puzzle us today.

The Mystery of the Roanoke Colony and Virginia Dare’s Vanishing

The Roanoke Colony’s disappearance in the late 16th century is a big mystery in American history. Virginia Dare, born on August 18, 1587, was the first English child in the Americas. But her fate and that of the others are still unknown.

Theories Behind the Lost Colony

Many theories try to explain what happened to the Roanoke colonists. Some ideas include:

They might have joined local Native American tribes, like the Weapemeoc.
They could have died from disease, hunger, or fights with Native Americans.
The colony might have been moved or abandoned, leaving no sign of where they went.

Evidence Left Behind

The only clue left was “Croatoan” carved into a wooden post. It could point to a nearby island or tribe. For centuries, people have tried to solve the mystery. Recently, they’ve looked into DNA to see if it links to the Roanoke settlers or Native American tribes.

Historical Impact and Legacy

The lessons from Roanoke might have helped the English settlers at Jamestown 17 years later. The mystery of the “Lost Colony” has always fascinated historians and the public. It’s one of the most famous unsolved cases in history.

“The fate of the Roanoke colonists remains one of the most enduring mysteries in American history, sparking countless theories and continuing investigations.”

Strange Disappearances in the Bennington Triangle

The Bennington Triangle in Vermont has seen many strange disappearances. These unsolved cases have caught the public’s attention. Many people have vanished from this area over the years.

Between 1945 and 1950, several people went missing here. Middie Rivers, Paula Welden, James Tetford, Paul Jepson, and Frieda Langer were among them. Middie Rivers, 74, disappeared while hunting in 1945. Paula Jean Welden, 18, vanished while hiking in 1946.

In 1949, James Tetford, a veteran, disappeared from a bus. The next year, 8-year-old Paul “Buddy” Jepson with special needs went missing. Frieda Langer, 53, fell into a stream in 1950 and her body was found seven months later.

“Despite extensive searches and investigations, no conclusive evidence has been found regarding the fate or whereabouts of the individuals who disappeared in the Bennington Triangle.”

Many theories have emerged about these disappearances. Some believe in supernatural forces or alien abductions. The area’s remote terrain and industrial decline add to the mystery.

To this day, the Bennington Triangle remains a mystery. The fate of those who vanished is still unknown. These unsolved cases continue to fascinate people, keeping the mystery alive.

Maritime Mysteries: The MV Joyita Ghost Ship Case

The MV Joyita vanished in 1955, leaving behind a trail of mystery. It was a 70-foot ship that set off from Samoa for the Tokelau Islands with 25 people on board. But it never made it, and when found, it was hundreds of miles off course, with no sign of its crew or passengers.

Timeline of Events

The MV Joyita was reported missing when it didn’t arrive at the Tokelau Islands on time. Five weeks later, it was found drifting in the South Pacific, badly damaged. Its windows were broken, and lifeboats were missing. Despite a huge search effort, no survivors were found.

Possible Explanations

Mechanical failure or natural disaster: The Joyita’s pumps were broken, and it was built to stay afloat. This led to theories of a mechanical failure or a natural disaster.
Piracy or foul play: Some think pirates or foul play might have been involved in the disappearance.
Illicit activities: There are rumors the Joyita was involved in smuggling, which could explain its disappearance.

Similar Maritime Disappearances

The MV Joyita’s case is not alone in maritime history. The Mary Celeste was found adrift in 1872 with no crew, and the SS Ourang Medan was discovered in 1948 with a dead crew. These mysteries continue to intrigue and spark debate.

“The story of the MV Joyita has become a prominent maritime mystery, inspiring books, articles, and films, contributing to its enduring legacy in maritime folklore.”

Despite many investigations, the MV Joyita’s fate remains a mystery. It is one of the most baffling cases in maritime history.

The Perplexing Case of Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Bierce, a famous American author, vanished in 1913. He was 71 years old at the time. He went to Mexico to join Pancho Villa’s forces. After sending a few letters, he was never seen or heard from again.

Bierce’s last letter was dated December 26, 1913. It was from Chihuahua and hinted at his plans to join Villa’s attack. This letter sold for $37,000 in 2013, showing its importance.

“I am not the man to be deterred from my purpose by so trifling a thing as death; and whatever happens, you may know that I shall act with reference to the good of the cause, and do no discredit to the high commission with which I am invested.”

Many theories have come up about Bierce’s unexplained vanishing. A marker was placed in Sierra Mojada, Mexico, in 2004. It suggests he might have been executed there. A 1920 article also claimed he was killed by a Villa firing squad. Another theory from 2002 suggests he died in Marfa, Texas.

Despite these theories, Bierce’s fate is still a mystery. His perplexing vanishing is one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries in American history.

Modern Unsolved Cases: Lauren Spierer Investigation

The case of 20-year-old Indiana University student Lauren Spierer is still a mystery. She went missing on June 3, 2011, after a night out in Bloomington, Indiana. Her family is still searching for answers.

Last Known Sightings

Surveillance footage shows Lauren Spierer’s last moments. She left Kilroy’s Sports Bar at 2:27 AM without her phone or shoes. Then, she was seen entering an empty lot near Smallwood Plaza by 2:51 AM.

A witness might have seen a “mystery man” with an intoxicated woman, possibly Spierer, near 10th Street and College Avenue at 3:38 AM.

Investigation Challenges

Finding out what happened to Lauren Spierer is tough. Many people who were with her that night were questioned, but no clear connection to another missing student, Hannah Wilson, was found. Over 3,000 tips have been received, but the case is still unsolved.

Ongoing Search Efforts

The Spierer family keeps searching for answers. They have a Facebook page to help find Lauren. In 2016, police searched a property linked to a suspect, but it didn’t lead to any new information.

The family’s determination to find out what happened to Lauren keeps the search going. They are still trying to solve the mysterious missing person case of their beloved daughter.

“The agony of not knowing what happened to my daughter is something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.” – Charlene Spierer, Lauren’s mother

The Mysterious Vanishing of Ray Gricar

Ray Gricar, a well-known district attorney in Pennsylvania, went missing in 2005. He told his girlfriend he was going shopping in Lewisburg. But his car was found the next day, and his laptop was discovered months later under a bridge, its hard drive gone.

Gricar was a respected prosecutor who had served five terms. He was just eight months from retirement when he vanished. There are three main theories: suicide, voluntary disappearance, or foul play.

The investigation into Gricar’s disappearance has been thorough but puzzling. Hundreds of leads have been followed, including underwater searches and NASA consultations. The hard drive from his work computer was found damaged in the river. He had looked up how to wreck a hard drive before he disappeared.

Despite all the efforts, Gricar’s disappearance remains a mystery. Theories are many, but there’s no solid evidence. True crime fans and investigators still hold out hope for a breakthrough.

“The timeline of Gricar’s disappearance remains a subject of scrutiny, with conflicting accounts from individuals who claimed to have seen him after his last known location.”

A woman was seen with Gricar at an antique mall in Lewisburg on the day he disappeared. This was not shared by the first investigators for 13 months. Centre County prosecutors criticized this delay.

The disappearance of Ray Gricar is a haunting reminder that even famous people can vanish. As time goes on, the search for answers continues. Everyone hopes the truth will come out and bring closure to this case.

Unexplained Mountain Disappearances: Barbara Bolick Case

The case of Barbara Bolick is a standout in the world of unexplained disappearances. On July 18, 2007, she vanished while hiking in Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains. Her disappearance has left many questions and a search that still has no answers.

Search Operation Details

Bolick was hiking with Jim Ramaker when she went missing. Ramaker said Bolick walked back down while he looked at the view. When he turned, she was gone.

Many groups searched for her, but no sign of Bolick was found.

Witness Accounts and Evidence

The search for Bolick uncovered some interesting facts. It was found that Bolick and Ramaker met two men on the trail before she disappeared. Her husband, Carl, got a call from a Forest Service officer that day, warning him something was wrong.

But, there’s no solid evidence, and the area is hard to search. This makes Bolick’s disappearance a big mystery.

“The disappearance of Barbara Bolick remains unsolved, and despite the passage of time, authorities continue to investigate this eerie vanishing mystery in hopes of uncovering the truth.”

The Sarah Joe Incident: Five Missing Fishermen

In February 1979, five fishermen from Hana, Maui, went missing during a fishing trip. Ralph Malaiakini (27), Scott Moorman (27), Benjamin Kalama (38), Patrick Woessner (26), and Peter Hanchett (31) were on the 17-foot motorboat, the Sarah Joe. They had an 85-horsepower engine.

The U.S. Coast Guard searched over 73,000 miles for them. But, the men and their boat vanished, leaving a mystery for nearly a decade.

In 1988, the Sarah Joe was found wrecked on Taongi atoll in the Marshall Islands. It was 2,200 miles southwest of Hawaii. A makeshift grave was found nearby with a jawbone that belonged to Scott Moorman.

Chinese burial ritual papers were also found, hinting at a possible cross-cultural encounter. This added to the mystery of their disappearance.

The discovery of the Sarah Joe and Scott Moorman’s remains brought some closure. But, the fate of the other four men was still unknown. Private investigator Steve Goodenow found more bones and the boat’s engines underwater.

Despite these discoveries, the mystery of the missing fishermen remains. The Sarah Joe incident is one of Hawaii’s most strange disappearances and inexplicable missing person cases.