MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 1989-39
Michelle Richardson
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Palestine, Texas
Summary:
Michelle Lee Richardson was a 16-year-old girl who vanished on May 1, 1989, while walking along Highway 322 near her home in Palestine, Texas. She left behind an infant son and all her belongings. Her case remains open and unsolved after more than three decades.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
Michelle was last seen at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Highway 322 in Palestine, Texas on May 1, 1989. She had told her mother she was going for a short walk. Her younger brother usually walked with her, but that day he stayed behind. Five minutes later he left the house and tried to catch up with her but could not find her. Her mother sent someone to look for her after about 20 minutes of Michelle not returning. Police say she left behind all her belongings, including her clothing and purse.
Additional Details:
At first, authorities thought Michelle was a runaway. "We thought well maybe she's hitchhiking to a friend's house. She didn't have but a handful of friends and we checked all those out and no one had ever seen her." During the time of Michelle's disappearance, two other East Texas teens also vanished: Kim Norwood and Kelly Wilson. For months, Anderson County authorities tried to connect the three cases. In 2007, investigators collected DNA from Michelle's son. Michelle's case remains open, filed under a "missing person." Anderson County Investigator Joe Willis stated "After this amount of time I think there's probably foul play involved. We just haven't had any leads in this amount of time. I think there's probably foul play." There's no physical evidence to prove that, only theories.
Case Last Updated:
Associated Persons
Linda R. (Mother) - Living
Jeff R. (Sibling) - Living
Justin R. (Child) - Living
Joe W. (Investigator) - Living
Family Tree
Why is this important?Missing person
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Paternal Grandfather's Mother
Paternal Grandfather's Father
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Paternal Grandmother's Father
Maternal Grandfather's Mother
Maternal Grandfather's Father
Maternal Grandmother's Mother
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Paternal Grandfather
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Father
Mother
Missing Person
Missing Person
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