FL FL- Irene Van Buren, 75, Fort Lauderdale, 1 Oct 1978

[Mysteries1974]

THE CHARLEY PROJECT

Irene Van Buren

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Van Buren, circa 1978

• Missing Since: 10/01/1978
• Missing From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Classification: Endangered Missing
• Date of Birth: 05/23/1903 (115)
• Age: 75 years old
• Height and Weight: 5’4, 200 pounds
• Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Gray hair, gray eyes. Van Buren has had one breast surgically removed.

Details of Disappearance
Van Buren was last seen in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on October 1, 1978. She has never been heard from again. Although she apparently didn't leave in her vehicle, after her disappearance, her car, a gold and black 1968 Plymouth Fury with the Florida license plate number 10-3799, could not be located. Few details are available in her case.

Investigating Agency

• Fort Lauderdale Police Department 954-828-5700

Source Information

• NamUs
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004. Last updated September 5, 2018; casefile added.

 

[glamourkitty1922]

Here is a current missing poster for Irene. It's been so long though. Please delete if inappropriate

 

[Mysteries1974]

It’s so odd that her vehicle wasn’t located. How do they know for certain that she didn’t leave in it? If she did then maybe she drove into a canal like Dana Null and Harry Wade atchison. They vanished the same month as Irene and were found in January of 2015 in a canal.

 

[glamourkitty1922]

It’s so odd that her vehicle wasn’t located. How do they know for certain that she didn’t leave in it? If she did then maybe she drove into a canal like Dana Null and Harry Wade atchison. They vanished the same month as Irene and were found in January of 2015 in a canal.

I know what you mean. When a car and a person disappear, I always think either in a body of water or down a ravine. Since neither Irene nor her car has been found, I think she's with her car.

 

[Mysteries1974]

I know what you mean. When a car and a person disappear, I always think either in a body of water or down a ravine. Since neither Irene nor her car has been found, I think she's with her car.

Yes I also think that Teresa Lyn Fittin May have crashed into a canal as well. It was very rural when these individuals vanished and it seems like a very likely cause of their Disappearances.

 

[Lauracgl]

Irene was an elderly woman who was "befriended" by a neighbor. That woman forged checks from Irene's account and the account of at least one other woman. The last time Irene was seen, the neighbor was "driving her to the bank". Irene never came home and the neighbor made up a lame story about Irene finding a new place to live and returning for her things later. A couple of weeks later Irene's car disappeared from the driveway. Someone had her keys. Irene had a daughter, grandchildren, a sister she loved dearly, and none of them ever heard from her again. That neighbor knew that what happened, what she did, but she never would tell anyone.

 

[Atombudd]

Irene was an elderly woman who was "befriended" by a neighbor. That woman forged checks from Irene's account and the account of at least one other woman. The last time Irene was seen, the neighbor was "driving her to the bank". Irene never came home and the neighbor made up a lame story about Irene finding a new place to live and returning for her things later. A couple of weeks later Irene's car disappeared from the driveway. Someone had her keys. Irene had a daughter, grandchildren, a sister she loved dearly, and none of them ever heard from her again. That neighbor knew that what happened, what she did, but she never would tell anyone.

This is terrible. I wonder who the neighbor was and if she is still living. It's a shame they couldn't arrest the neighbor for at least the forged checks. I can't find any news articles or statements from LE.

 

[Lauracgl]

My understanding is the neighbor, Pat, died in another state. She served time in prison for other crimes. I have to believe someone else knew something- you can't move a good-sized human body alone, and the car had to go somewhere. It was distinctive, so someone would remember it. I wish someone would do a podcast like they did for Kristin Smart. It's such a tragic story- what was supposed to be The Golden Girls turned into a nightmare.

 

[Lauracgl]

Also, the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel ran a couple of really good articles about this, however, they were more focused on the bank fraud than Irene's disappearance.

 

[PayrollNerd]

If they could find the car I bet they could find evidence. Unless it was chop shopped but did this neighbor have contacts like that? It isn't likely she drove it into water because she'd be taking a chance she couldn't get herself out. Burning it would bring attention. Burying it in FL isn't generally a good option since the water table is so low.

 

[Lauracgl]

There's currently a gold and black 1968 Plymouth Fury for sale at a Fort Lauderdale classic car lot. Wouldn't it be something if it was parked in a garage/storage space all these years?

 

[PayrollNerd]

There's currently a gold and black 1968 Plymouth Fury for sale at a Fort Lauderdale classic car lot. Wouldn't it be something if it was parked in a garage/storage space all these years?

I wonder if LE has compared VIN numbers......