MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 1982-26
Patricia Vaughan
Also Known As:
Patty
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Mathias, West Virginia
Summary:
Patricia "Patty" Vaughan disappeared from Mathias, West Virginia, on or about May 15, 1982, at the age of 18. After leaving an abusive home in Connecticut, she moved to Hardy County with long-haul truck driver Galen "Doug" Sager. Sager claimed he dropped Patty at a truck stop and never saw her again, but later witness statements have challenged that account. Patty was not reported missing until July 27, 1995. Her disappearance remains unsolved.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
Patricia "Patty" Vaughan left her home in East Hartford, Connecticut, in 1981 to escape an abusive family environment. She and her friend, Stacey, hitchhiked south, where they met long-haul truck driver Galen "Doug" Sager. Sager brought the two young women to his home in rural Mathias, West Virginia, where both Patty and Stacey stayed with him. According to Stacey, Sager became increasingly controlling, refusing to leave the young women home alone, and his behavior toward Patty became physically abusive. Shortly before Stacey returned to Connecticut, she noticed Patty with a black eye. Patty told her it was her own fault. Stacey's father purchased bus tickets for both young women to return home, but only Stacey used hers. Patty remained in West Virginia with Sager. After Stacey had returned to Connecticut, Sager brought Patty back to visit her family. During that visit, Patty told relatives that she believed she was pregnant. Patty later returned to West Virginia with Sager. Sager later claimed he dropped Patty off at a truck stop along Interstate 81 and never saw her again. No independent evidence has publicly confirmed that account.
Additional Details:
Patty was not reported missing until July 27, 1995, more than thirteen years after she disappeared. Family members have said they believed she had voluntarily started a new life and did not initially realize she was missing. In recent years, the investigation has received renewed attention following statements from Doug Sager's nephew, Ralph Mathias. During an interview with law enforcement, Ralph stated that as a teenager he witnessed Doug Sager brutally assault Patty and later saw what he believed was her lifeless body lying in a bathtub inside the family's home. His account directly contradicts Doug Sager's longstanding claim that Patty left voluntarily after being dropped off at a truck stop. Authorities have not publicly announced whether Ralph's statement has been corroborated.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
Doug Sager's nephew, Ralph Sager, gives a statement to law enforcement alleging he witnessed Doug brutally assault Patty and later saw what he believed was her lifeless body inside the family home. The statement contradicts Doug Sager's account that Patty voluntarily left.
Galen "Doug" Sager dies. Sager, the last known person to claim he saw Patty Vaughan alive, dies before the emergence of significant new witness statements related to Patty's disappearance.
Patty is reported missing to the Connecticut State Police more than thirteen years after her disappearance.
Patty Vaughan is last seen in Mathias, West Virginia. Doug Sager later claims she left after he dropped her at a truck stop. She has never been seen again.
Doug Sager brings Patty back to Connecticut to visit her family. During the visit, Patty tells relatives she believes she is pregnant before returning to West Virginia.
Stacey returns to Connecticut after her father purchases bus tickets for both young women. Patty chooses to remain in West Virginia with Doug Sager.
While hitchhiking south, Patty and Stacey meet long-haul truck driver Galen "Doug" Sager, who brings them to his home near Mathias, West Virginia, where both young women begin living with him.
Patty leaves Connecticut with her friend Stacey to escape an abusive home.
Patricia "Patty" Vaughan is born in Connecticut.
Associated Persons
Stacey L. (Friend) - Living
Elle V. (Sibling) - Living
Galen S. (Person of Interest) - Deceased
Ralph M. (Other) - Deceased
Family Tree
Why is this important?Missing person
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Maternal Grandmother's Father
Paternal Grandfather's Mother
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Paternal Grandmother's Father
Maternal Grandfather's Mother
Maternal Grandfather's Father
Maternal Grandmother's Mother
Maternal Grandmother's Father
Paternal Grandfather
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Maternal Grandmother
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Missing Person
Missing Person
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