12 Disappearances That Shocked the Nation and Were Never Solved
These 12 unresolved disappearances left families searching, communities shaken, and the nation with more questions than answers.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Disappearances without closure are among the most haunting stories in any country’s history. Each case on this list sparked headlines, searches, and speculation, but no clear ending. Despite time, investigation, and public interest, these individuals remain missing to this day.
1. Maura Murray (New Hampshire, 2004)
Thegreatmutata on Wikimedia Commons
Maura, a 21-year-old nursing student, vanished after crashing her car on a rural road. She told professors she was taking time off due to a family emergency, but that wasn’t true. Witnesses saw her after the crash, but she was gone when police arrived. Her case has fueled endless theories but no solid answers.
2. Brandon Swanson (Minnesota, 2008)
fbi.com on Wikimedia Commons
Brandon was driving home from a college party when his car got stuck in a ditch. He called his parents and described walking toward a town, but the line suddenly went silent. His car was found, but no other trace of him ever surfaced. Search efforts covered miles, but he was never located.
3. Kyron Horman (Oregon, 2010)
Tedder on Wikimedia Commons
Seven-year-old Kyron disappeared from his elementary school after a science fair. His stepmother was the last known person to see him, but no charges were ever filed. The school had no video footage or a clear timeline of his exit. Despite national attention, he has never been found.
4. Brianna Maitland (Vermont, 2004)
Federal Bureau of Investigation on Wikimedia Commons
Brianna, 17, left work one night and never made it home. Her car was found backed into an abandoned house with the doors open and personal items inside. Some suspected foul play, but no one was arrested. Her disappearance remains one of Vermont’s most troubling cases.
5. Jason Jolkowski (Nebraska, 2001)
Hillelfrei on Wikimedia Commons
Jason was walking to meet a coworker for a ride to work and never arrived. He was just blocks from his home when he disappeared. His bank account and phone were never touched again. Police found no evidence of a struggle or clues to where he went.
6. Amy Lynn Bradley (Cruise ship, 1998)
Infrogmation on Wikimedia Commons
Amy vanished from a cruise ship near Curaçao while vacationing with her family. Surveillance showed her walking around early in the morning, then she was gone. Despite multiple reported sightings over the years, none were confirmed. Her case raised serious concerns about safety aboard cruise ships.
7. Asha Degree (North Carolina, 2000)
fbi on Wikimedia Commons
Asha, just 9 years old, packed a bag and left her home in the middle of the night. Several drivers spotted her walking along a highway before she vanished. Years later, some of her belongings were found buried. No one knows why she left or what happened next.
8. Relisha Rudd (Washington D.C., 2014)
FBI on Wikimedia Commons
Relisha, 8, lived in a homeless shelter and was last seen with a janitor who worked there. He later died by suicide during the investigation. Authorities found inconsistencies in the timeline and surveillance gaps. Relisha has never been found, and her case remains open.
9. Louis Le Prince (France/England, 1890)
Tajotep on Wikimedia Commons
Often considered the father of motion pictures, Le Prince vanished from a train between Dijon and Paris. He was about to demonstrate his camera invention in London. No body, no belongings, and no suspects were ever found. His disappearance remains one of the oldest unsolved cases involving a public figure.
10. The Sodder Children (West Virginia, 1945)
Cdr. John Ford, USNR on Wikimedia Commons
Five children disappeared during a house fire on Christmas Eve. Their bodies were never found in the ashes, and later sightings were reported. The family suspected the fire was a cover-up, not an accident. Decades later, the mystery is still debated.
11. Madeleine McCann (Portugal, 2007)
Quakerman on Wikimedia Commons
Three-year-old Madeleine disappeared from her family’s vacation apartment while her parents dined nearby. Her case became one of the most widely reported missing child cases in the world. Despite suspects and leads, no resolution has been reached. Her disappearance remains under investigation.
12. The Springfield Three (Missouri, 1992)
Internet Archive Book Images on Wikimedia Commons
Two friends and one of their mothers disappeared from a home without any sign of struggle. Their personal items, including purses and cars, were left behind. Police found no forced entry, no ransom, and no motive. Over 30 years later, the case is still unsolved.