Disappearance of Joanne Elaine Coughlin
Joanne Elaine Coughlin (24 June 1953 – disappeared 27 December 1974; declared legally dead in 1985) was an American woman from Youngstown, Ohio, who has been missing since 27 December 1974. She was declared legally dead in 1985.
Joanne Coughlin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Joanne Elaine Coughlin June 24, 1953 |
| Disappeared | December 27, 1974 (aged 21) Boardman, Ohio, United States |
| Status | Declared dead in absentia 1985 (aged 32) |
| Occupation | Student |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
Events prior
Joanne attended Youngstown State University, majoring in theatre, and was an actress. The day of her disappearance, she wrote a check for her latest life insurance premium, but no money was taken out of her bank accounts.[1]
Disappearance
Coughlin was last seen on 27 December 1974 when she supposedly entered a health spa in Boardman Township, Ohio. She had plans to meet her boyfriend at his home later that night, but never arrived and was never heard from again.[2] Coughlin's niece claimed she was never at the spa that day, and that the signature provided on the sign-in sheet was forged. It is also claimed that no one saw her in the spa on that day.[1] Her vehicle has also never been located.[2]
Coughlin was declared legally dead in 1985, and authorities theorize she was robbed and murdered while on her way to the health spa by someone who disposed of her vehicle, with her body inside, in a stone quarry near the Pennsylvania border. The area was searched extensively by police and it is believed that her remains may have been concealed by sediment.[3]
See also
- Cold case (an unsolved criminal case)
- List of people who disappeared
References
- "Joanne Elaine Coughlin – The Charley Project".
- "Missing Person -". www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov.
- "New lead fails to solve mystery". vindy.com.