The FBI kicked off an investigation in a cold case, on Tuesday in Lincoln Parish. Investigators searched and dug in a wooded area on Highway 3061. Family members said around the time Wiliams disappeared they found her purse at someone's doorstep just miles from where the search took place.
The first thought was could it be Cheryl," said her sister, Lari Talbert.
Even though the sheriff's office says the investigation is not local, Talbert said they still have hope. The sheriff's office also says the case is 20-30 years old.
That dateline stuck out to Jamie Williams. Her mom, Rebecca Pauline Gary has been missing since the 1980s. She said her mom was on her way from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. The FBI's investigation gave her hope too.
"I was wondering if this was going to be it," Williams said. "We need to know. One way or the other, if she is out there somewhere or not with us anymore."
Neither family is giving up hope. They are also sending strong messages to their missing loved ones if they are still alive.
Rebecca Pauline Gary was last heard from on December 27, 1988. She was spending the holidays alone in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after sending her daughter to family about four hours away in Shreveport. She was supposed to pick her daughter up after the holidays, but she never came. Family told Dateline they waited to report her missing until January 24, 1989 because they figured she’d show up, eventually. Rebecca’s body has never been found. Police say there are no suspects in her disappearance, but it remains an open investigation. For more information on Rebecca’s case, you can visit the Facebook page her daughter runs called Help Find Rebecca Pauline Gary Missing December 27, 1988.
William Richard Bradford was arrested in 1984. Pauline Gary went missing in December 1988. There are vague references that he did spend time in Louisiana. But, I cannot find any date references. Please take a look at Missing Woman 31 and then look at published photos of Rebecca Pauline Gary. Appears to be the same woman.
Rebecca Pauline Gary was last heard from on December 27, 1988. She was spending the holidays alone in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after sending her daughter to family about four hours away in Shreveport. She was supposed to pick her daughter up after the holidays, but she never showed up.
Family told Dateline in 2017 they waited to report her missing until January 24, 1989 because they figured she’d show up, eventually. Rebecca’s body has never been found. Police say there are no suspects in her disappearance, but it remains an open investigation. For more information on Rebecca’s case, you can visit the Facebook page her daughter runs called Help Find Rebecca Pauline Gary Missing December 27, 1988.
4 Unidentified Person Exclusions
UP6661 02/03/1991 Stafford VA
UP8493 12/06/1993 Fairfax VA
UP6279 12/18/1996 Fairfax VA
UP12683 06/06/2014 Newport News VA
Missing Since: 12/27/1988 Missing From: Baton Rouge, Lousiana Classification: Endangered Missing Sex: Female Race: White Date of Birth: 05/27/1956 Age: 32 years old Height and Weight: 5'0 - 5'4, 105 - 125 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Brown hair. Gary has a birthmark on her right leg near her knee and a tattoo on her right arm; the tattoo is of a lion, a lion's head or a Leo astrological sign. Her nickname is Becky.
Details of Disappearance Gary was last seen at her apartment in the 8300 block of Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, Lousiana on December 27, 1988. She called her sister that day and said things weren't working out and she wanted to move back to Shreveport, Louisiana, where she'd lived before. She has never been heard from again.
In the first week of January, Gary's apartment manager called her sister to say the rent was due and Gary wasn't answering the door. The manager left herself inside the apartment and found the lights and coffee maker on. The bathtub had been filled with water and there were two cups on the bar.
Gary's driver's license, purse and car keys were in the bedroom. A packed suitcase was on the bed and family photos were spread across the bed. The manager wanted to put Gary's belongings out in the street because the rent hadn't been paid, but her sister asked her not to until the police came to investigate.
When the manager checked a few weeks later, the lights were off but the suitcase and photographs were still on the bed. The rest of her clothes were hanging in the closet, and her car was parked in the parking lot. An autographed photograph of Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards was found torn up on a counter in her home.
Gary has never been heard from again. The police never did come to the apartment, and eventually Gary's brother went there to collect her things. She was reported as a missing person on January 20, 1989, three and a half weeks after she was last seen.
Gary's daughter, Jamie Williams, believes Edwards was involved in her mother's disappearance. She claims Gary was "obsessed" with Edwards and that the two of them had had an affair. Gary reportedly was planning to end the affair at the time she went missing.
When he was questioned about Gary, Edwards said he had no involvement in her disappearance and also denied having had a romantic relationship with her. His office did turn over several letters Gary had written him.
In 2001, Edwards was convicted of unrelated charges of racketeering, money laundering and conspiracy and sentenced to ten years in prison.
Gary was employed as a waitress at the time of her disappearance. She lived with Williams and was raising her alone; her daughter's father was not a part of their lives.
Gary had insisted Williams take a bus to spend the 1988 Christmas holidays with relatives in Shreveport. They had an argument about it at the bus station. This is the last time Williams saw her mother.
Authorities describe Gary's disappearance as suspicious. They stated her apartment appeared as if she had been packing to go somewhere and had been interrupted.
For about a year prior to going missing, Gary had carried a large manila envelope. She hid it under her bed and told her mother that if anything happened to her, her relatives should open the envelope and examine the contents. The envelope was missing from Gary's apartment after she vanished.
Williams is still searching for her mother and believes there is a possibility that she left voluntarily in 1988 and is still alive. Gary's case remains unsolved.
Rebecca Pauline Gary was last heard from on December 27, 1988. She was spending the holidays alone in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after sending her daughter to family about four hours away in Shreveport. She was supposed to pick her daughter up after the holidays, but she never showed up. Family told Dateline in 2017 they waited to report Rebecca missing until January 24, 1989 because they figured she’d show up, eventually. Police say there are no suspects in her disappearance, but it remains an open investigation. For more information on Rebecca’s case, you can visit the Facebook page her daughter runs called Help Find Rebecca Pauline Gary Missing December 27, 1988. If you have any information on Rebecca’s whereabouts, please call the Baton Rouge Police Department at 225-389-2000. Seven years of Dateline's Missing in America: 156 still missing
We recently published the first of 3 episodes that we are doing about Becky Gary. My co host and I sat with Joyce, Beckys sister, for over three hours talking about this case and the recent case files that they were able to get their hands on. Feel free to listen and tell us what you think.
Investigating Officer Barry J. Parrish arrived just before five that evening at 8383 Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, responding to a missing persons call from Beverly D. Worthy, the manager of Oakland Apartments. Worthy told the officer that Rebecca Gary had sent her daughter to visit her grandmothe
Nearly 34 years later, investigators are still hoping the public can help solve a 1988 missing person case.
www.wafb.com
''Investigators say she weighed around 105 lbs and was 5′1″ with short reddish brown hair. At the time she went missing, she was working at LaFonda restaurant in Baton Rouge.''
''Anyone who may have details that can help investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 344-STOP (344-7867). You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.''
Rebecca Pauline Gary was last heard from on December 27, 1988. She was spending the holidays alone in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after sending her daughter to stay with family about four hours away in Shreveport. She was supposed to pick her daughter up after the holidays, but never showed up. Family told Dateline in 2017 they waited to report Rebecca missing until January 24, 1989, because they figured she’d show up, eventually. Police say there are no suspects in the disappearance, and it remains an open investigation. For more information on Rebecca’s case, you can visit the Facebook page her daughter runs called 'Help Find Rebecca Pauline Gary Missing December 27, 1988.' Rebecca, who would be 66 years old today, is 5'1" and weighed 105 lbs. in 1988. She has green eyes, brown hair, and a birthmark on her right leg. If you have any information on Rebecca’s whereabouts, please call the Baton Rouge Police Department at 225-389-2000.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.