MURDER
CASE #: 1997-7
Gloria Jean Barnes
Status:
Open
Date of Offense:
Date of Offense:
Jurisdiction:
Offense Location:
Springfield, MO
Summary:
On 7/13/1997, at around 8:29AM, police from the Springfield Police Department were dispatched to the Seven Gables truck stop located at 4525 W. Chestnut Expressway to investigate a report of a dead body that had been discovered by four truck drivers. Police officers responded to the call and located the body of a deceased white female lying on the ground, in the open, behind the truck stop.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Offense:
They found Gloria Jean Barnes’ body, a day before her 36th birthday. Gloria’s body was wrapped in blue furniture blankets and was found wearing a white “Spring Break” t-shirt and black shorts. The truck stop where Gloria Barnes was located was about a half mile off of I-44 on the west side of Springfield. The truck stop cannot be seen from the interstate and doesn’t get a lot of traffic. The suspect did not try to conceal her body. Gloria Barnes was last seen alive in Joiner, Arkansas around midnight on 7/10/1997. Gloria’s brother stated Gloria called him on 7/11/1997 around 1:45 a.m. and told him that someone was trying to get her. According to family members, Gloria had been paranoid about people following her. The telephone call was later traced to a pay phone located in the parking lot of a convenience store in Joiner, Arkansas. That same convenience store was burglarized on the same night as Gloria’s disappearance. There was also an unconfirmed sighting of Gloria walking toward Interstate 55 about one mile west of Joiner, AR. Joiner is a rural town located just off Interstate 55 near the Tennessee border. The investigators are interested in CB traffic that was intercepted from an unknown person that claimed responsibility for Gloria’s death. Additional tips received involved a gray semi truck possibly providing a ride to Gloria shortly before her death. The truck reportedly had the word “Graceland” on the cab and a picture of “Elvis” on the fairing. Additionally, the name “Memphis Consolidation” and/or “Trailer Transit” was displayed on the doors of the semi truck cab.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
Police were dispatched to Seven Gables truck stop located at 4525 W. Chestnut Expressway to investigate a report of a dead body.
Gloria called her brother from a pay phone and told him someone was trying to get her.
Gloria Barnes was last seen alive around midnight in Joiner, Arkansas.
Associated Persons
John K. (Sibling) - Living
Sarah M. (Sibling) - Living
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