Post by TheWebDetective on Nov 9, 2015 20:06:29 GMT -5
Seventeen -year-old Vanessa Smith disappeared on Saturday, May 31, 1997 from Winton, California. AMW has at least aired this case in 1999. From the Charley Project:
Missing Since: May 31, 1997 from Winton, California
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: December 26, 1981
Age: 15 years old
Height and Weight: 5'6, 130 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Strawberry-blonde hair, blue eyes. Vanessa has a large birthmark on her right arm which extends from her shoulder to her elbow. She has a fair, freckled complexion and a scar on her left ear. Vanessa has Duane's Syndrome in her right eye; as a result, the third muscle in her retina is paralyzed and the eye drifts toward the inside.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A light blue dress with silver-colored metal buttons, a white belt, and an elastic waist; white hurache sandals with uppers of woven leather straps and flat heels; and a black head cover.
Vanessa was last seen leaving her family's residence on Winton Way in rural Winton, California at approximately 7:00 p.m. on May 31, 1997. She was planning to take her usual walk through the neighborhood at the time. She usually went with her mother, but this time she went alone. Vanessa was carrying her walking stick at the time of her disappearance. She has never been heard from again. Her family notified police when she did not return by dark.
Vanessa's walking stick was discovered along the side of Mercedes Avenue in Winton shortly after she failed to return home that evening. The location was along Vanessa's normal route and was approximately 200 yards east of her residence. There was no sign of her at the scene. Vanessa left her purse behind; it contained her savings. She also left a cherished watch at her home.
Vanessa does not have a history of running away and is described as being close to her family members. She belonged to a Mennonite church at the time of her disappearance. Authorities do not believe she left of her own accord. Vanessa's case remains unsolved.
Thoughts?
web.archive.org/web/20000610065859/http://www.amw.com/site/archives/19990529/vsmith.html
www.charleyproject.org/cases/s/smith_vanessa.html
www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?213107-CA-Vanessa-Dawn-Smith-15-Winton-31-May-1997
doenetwork.org/cases/1870dfca.html
abc30.com/archive/9121951/
www.officialcoldcaseinvestigations.com/showthread.php?9015-Vanessa-Smith-12-Years-Missing
www.co.merced.ca.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/175
Admin Note #1: According to the Charley Project, anyone having information should contact the Merced County Sheriff's Department (California) at 1-209-385-7444 OR 1-209-385-7551
Admin Note: If you have any news-related updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form
