Annie Laurie Swaim Hearin
Missing since July 26, 1988 from Jackson, Mississippi
Classification: Involuntary
Vital Statistics
Age at Time of Disappearance: 73 years old
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown hair.
Marks, Scars: Pierced ears.
Medical Conditions: Annie Laurie was diagnosed with ileitis, an intestinal disorder. She was required to take medications to regulate her condition, which could be fatal if not treated.
Other: Her maiden name is "Swaim."
Circumstances of Disappearance
Annie Laurie hosted her biweekly bridge club at her family's home on July 26, 1988. The meeting began at 10:15 AM and her last guest departed at approximately 2:30 PM. The Hearins' housekeeper left at 3:00 PM and Annie Laurie was alone inside the residence afterwards. Robert Hearin returned home by 4:30 PM and noticed that his wife's vehicle was parked in their driveway. When he did not locate her inside the house, he assumed she left with friends. Robert became concerned when Annie Laurie did not return by 7:30 PM. He called his son-in-law, who attempted to help him locate his wife. The authorities were summoned at 9:49 PM.
Investigators discovered drops of blood on the carpet and blood smears on the front door of the residence. Analysts determined that the blood matched Annie Laurie's type. Authorities believe that she may have been struck on the head by an intruder, as indicated by blood smears on the door. A ransom note was also found near the door, which was typewritten and contained numerous grammatical and spelling errors. The note stated in part: Mr. Robert Herrin, Put these people back in the shape they was in before they got mixed up with School Pictures. Pay them whatever damages they want and tell them all this so then can no what you are doing but dont tell them why you are doing it. Do this before ten days pass. Don't call police. The ransom note referred to School Pictures, a company that had been taken over by Robert in the late 1980s. The letter listed 12 franchisees of the the nationwide business, all of whom Robert was supposed to pay ransom for the return of his wife. The Jackson media agreed to withhold the story of Annie Laurie's kidnapping for 24 hours. Her abduction was announced at a press conference during the evening of July 28.
Authorities stated that they were searching for Newton Alfred Winn in early August 1988. Winn was a civil attorney from St. Petersburg, Florida and held a Florida School Pictures franchise in the early 1980s. Winn was ordered to pay the company over $153,000 after a court battle in 1984, four years before Annie Laurie's abduction. Winn's name was also listed on the ransom note as one of the 12 franchisees. Investigators also searched for a white van with Florida license plates that had been seen near the Hearins' residence on July 26. Neighbors said that the vehicle's driver matched Winn's description.
Robert made a public appeal for his wife's return in September 1988. He received a letter several days later that was determined to feature Annie Laurie's signature. The note stated: Bob, If you don't do what these people want you to do, they are going to seal me up in the cellar of this house with only a few jugs of water. Please save me, Annie Laurie The letter was postmarked from Atlanta, Georgia. Robert mailed one million dollars in ransom money to the 12 franchisees listed in the first note. Winn, who had been apprehended by that time, apparently returned his portion of the funds to Robert. Robert offered a reward for information leading to Annie Laurie's recovery later in September 1988. Her case was also featured on the NBC program Unsolved Mysteries. The episode generated numerous tips regarding Annie Laurie's abduction, including one from an anonymous caller who told authorities to continue investigating Winn.
Winn was convicted of conspiracy in Annie Laurie's case. He received a prison sentence of 19 years and 7 months in prison without parole. Winn attempted to appeal his conviction in 1996.
Annie Laurie was declared legally deceased in the 1990s. Robert died after a heart attack in 1990.
The Discovery Channel's program, FBI Files, featured Hearins disappearance in a December 2001 episode entitled Vanished. One of the series' producers said that he believed Annie Laurie's remains may have been disposed between the Texas panhandle and Louisiana.
Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: Federal Bureau Of Investigation - Jackson, Mississippi Division 601-948-5000
NCIC Number: N/A
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.
Source Information:
The Tuscaloosa News
The Sun Herald
The Doe Network: Case File 505DFMS
Link:
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/505dfms.html
Missing since July 26, 1988 from Jackson, Mississippi
Classification: Involuntary
Vital Statistics
Age at Time of Disappearance: 73 years old
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown hair.
Marks, Scars: Pierced ears.
Medical Conditions: Annie Laurie was diagnosed with ileitis, an intestinal disorder. She was required to take medications to regulate her condition, which could be fatal if not treated.
Other: Her maiden name is "Swaim."
Circumstances of Disappearance
Annie Laurie hosted her biweekly bridge club at her family's home on July 26, 1988. The meeting began at 10:15 AM and her last guest departed at approximately 2:30 PM. The Hearins' housekeeper left at 3:00 PM and Annie Laurie was alone inside the residence afterwards. Robert Hearin returned home by 4:30 PM and noticed that his wife's vehicle was parked in their driveway. When he did not locate her inside the house, he assumed she left with friends. Robert became concerned when Annie Laurie did not return by 7:30 PM. He called his son-in-law, who attempted to help him locate his wife. The authorities were summoned at 9:49 PM.
Investigators discovered drops of blood on the carpet and blood smears on the front door of the residence. Analysts determined that the blood matched Annie Laurie's type. Authorities believe that she may have been struck on the head by an intruder, as indicated by blood smears on the door. A ransom note was also found near the door, which was typewritten and contained numerous grammatical and spelling errors. The note stated in part: Mr. Robert Herrin, Put these people back in the shape they was in before they got mixed up with School Pictures. Pay them whatever damages they want and tell them all this so then can no what you are doing but dont tell them why you are doing it. Do this before ten days pass. Don't call police. The ransom note referred to School Pictures, a company that had been taken over by Robert in the late 1980s. The letter listed 12 franchisees of the the nationwide business, all of whom Robert was supposed to pay ransom for the return of his wife. The Jackson media agreed to withhold the story of Annie Laurie's kidnapping for 24 hours. Her abduction was announced at a press conference during the evening of July 28.
Authorities stated that they were searching for Newton Alfred Winn in early August 1988. Winn was a civil attorney from St. Petersburg, Florida and held a Florida School Pictures franchise in the early 1980s. Winn was ordered to pay the company over $153,000 after a court battle in 1984, four years before Annie Laurie's abduction. Winn's name was also listed on the ransom note as one of the 12 franchisees. Investigators also searched for a white van with Florida license plates that had been seen near the Hearins' residence on July 26. Neighbors said that the vehicle's driver matched Winn's description.
Robert made a public appeal for his wife's return in September 1988. He received a letter several days later that was determined to feature Annie Laurie's signature. The note stated: Bob, If you don't do what these people want you to do, they are going to seal me up in the cellar of this house with only a few jugs of water. Please save me, Annie Laurie The letter was postmarked from Atlanta, Georgia. Robert mailed one million dollars in ransom money to the 12 franchisees listed in the first note. Winn, who had been apprehended by that time, apparently returned his portion of the funds to Robert. Robert offered a reward for information leading to Annie Laurie's recovery later in September 1988. Her case was also featured on the NBC program Unsolved Mysteries. The episode generated numerous tips regarding Annie Laurie's abduction, including one from an anonymous caller who told authorities to continue investigating Winn.
Winn was convicted of conspiracy in Annie Laurie's case. He received a prison sentence of 19 years and 7 months in prison without parole. Winn attempted to appeal his conviction in 1996.
Annie Laurie was declared legally deceased in the 1990s. Robert died after a heart attack in 1990.
The Discovery Channel's program, FBI Files, featured Hearins disappearance in a December 2001 episode entitled Vanished. One of the series' producers said that he believed Annie Laurie's remains may have been disposed between the Texas panhandle and Louisiana.
Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: Federal Bureau Of Investigation - Jackson, Mississippi Division 601-948-5000
NCIC Number: N/A
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.
Source Information:
The Tuscaloosa News
The Sun Herald
The Doe Network: Case File 505DFMS
Link:
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/505dfms.html