MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 1999-34
Samatha Clonch
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Henderson, Texas
Summary:
Samatha Lynn Clonch, a 13-year-old, disappeared on September 9, 1999 after leaving her family's residence in Henderson, Texas for school. She never made it home and has never been heard from again. The case remains unsolved, though recent investigations have explored possible sightings and rumors of her having left the country.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
On the morning of September 9, 1999, Samatha Lynn Clonch left her family's Boren Street residence for Henderson Middle School and never returned. She was expected to come home right after school. Clonch was seen leaving her home on Bourne Street in Henderson without her backpack and walking the opposite way from the Henderson Middle School. Her mother noticed after she had left the house that her backpack was still sitting beside the door. Her mother went out to try and catch her to tell her she forgot her backpack, and she saw Clonch walking the opposite direction from the school. That was the last time her mother ever saw her daughter. At the time of disappearance, she was wearing jeans, a black shirt, and white tennis shoes.
Additional Details:
In 1999, original investigators documented a report that a gas station clerk at a New Summerfield convenience store had identified Clonch and her sister inside the convenience store on September 15, six days after her disappearance. However, Clonch's sister could not confirm she was with her at the convenience store or the trailer park in New Summerfield and no longer lives in the area, so contact has only been by phone. In 2009, Henderson Police said it had been rumored that she could have gone to Mexico of her own accord, but nothing could be confirmed. Recent investigative work has identified an individual in Mexico vaguely saying that Clonch is possibly still located in Mexico and maybe married with a family, and detectives are working cooperatively with the Texas Rangers to pursue this lead. A significant update revealed that Clonch had cut her hair short before her disappearance, contrary to the long-haired photo that had been circulated for years. In a recent interview with Clonch's mother, she stated that Clonch had cut her hair short in the months prior to her disappearance because she wanted to look more similar to her older sister, who had short hair at the time. Recently, detectives used AI technology to enhance Clonch's yearbook photo from August 1999, aiming to create a clearer image that might help jog memories or generate new leads. Their home was later demolished to build the middle school parking lot.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
Original investigators documented a report that a gas station clerk at a New Summerfield convenience store identified Clonch and her sister at the location, though this was never confirmed.
Samatha left her home on Bourne Street without her backpack, walking away from Henderson Middle School. Her mother last saw her heading in the opposite direction from school.
Associated Persons
June (Mother) - Living
Unknown (Sister) - Living
Detective B. (Investigator) - Living
James P. (Investigator) - Living
Family Tree
Why is this important?Missing person
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Paternal Grandfather's Mother
Paternal Grandfather's Father
Paternal Grandmother's Mother
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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Father
Mother
Missing Person
Missing Person
Case Content Disclaimer: The details on this case page are sourced from numerous locations to include family, friends, news postings and government public releases. Solve the Case, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy of any content as case pages are living documents that frequently update as case details expand.
