MI MI - Michelle Wells, 13, Detroit, January 1, 1982

[Murkywaters]

Missing Person Case

Last seen leaving residence she was visiting.

 

[Murkywaters]

Demographics
Missing Age: 13 Years
Current Age: 50 Years
First Name: Michelle
Last Name: Wells

Sex: Female
Race / Ethnicity: American Indian / Alaska Native, White / Caucasian
Height: 5' 0" - 5' 5" (60 - 65 Inches)
Weight: 100 - 200 lbs

Physical Description
Hair Color: Red/Auburn

 

[AnnieOakley]

I don't recall ever hearing about this missing child- there's so little information. (And the range of height- and especially weight- makes me wonder if parents are deceased and there's just not anyone who knew this child when she was 13 to get information from?) I wonder if she really went missing on Jan 1st, or if that's just a best guess?

 

[Murkywaters]

I don't recall ever hearing about this missing child- there's so little information. (And the range of height- and especially weight- makes me wonder if parents are deceased and there's just not anyone who knew this child when she was 13 to get information from?) I wonder if she really went missing on Jan 1st, or if that's just a best guess?

Michelle was just added NamUs last month. I think the last known date of contact is probably an estimate.

 

[Murkywaters]

Michelle Wells – The Charley Project

Clearer image of Michelle

 

[BethAnn777]

Doesn’t look like her hair is red to me.

In 1982 (less so now) it would have been rare for a girl of that age and height to weight 200 pounds. I’m sure she was much closer to 100 pounds.

 

[Earth]

Does anyone think she could be a victim of Arthur Ream?

 

[Sleuth91]

Bumping this thread for Michelle.

 

[Brotherfudz]

Never heard of this case...has to be more info somewhere

 

[canteloupe]

I was scrolling through some newspapers and yearbooks to see if any other Wells showed up in the area that might be a sibling.

There is a Michelle Wells listed as an 8th grade honor student at Romulus North Junior High in Jan. 1980, but this would make her missing age incorrect; this Michelle would have been at least 15 in 1982, barring the unlikely probability she had skipped a few grades.

Interestingly, there is a male Wells who attended Lincoln Park High (closer to the river/downtown than Romulus); his sophomore class photo from 1986 caught my attention because he is wearing a very similar necklace to Michelle's, and I don't see many other male students with necklaces, let alone a button or puka shell type necklace.

Does anyone know her full name? I just can't shake the feeling that the missing date may be incorrect by a substantial degree of days or even years. Jan. 1, 1982 was an extremely cold day and there's no mention of her in any press that I can find. The latter part is odd, considering how much the local area was concerned with child/teen disappearances at the time.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the DPD records on Michelle have been lost or destroyed, but maybe @Nina Michigan might know more? If there's anyone who could get the ball rolling, it would be her and her first-class podcast.

 

[Nina Michigan]

I am not familiar with her case beyond the basics. Ironically my friend (whose last name was Wells) had an older sister named Michelle (no relation)

I will see what I can find out about Michelle's case.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Enhanced photo of Michelle.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Michelle is featured this week on the Charley Project homepage.

I wish there was more information available. Does she still have relatives missing her?

My question would be whose residence was she visiting, why, and what were the circumstances? Was it a suspected stranger abduction?

 

[Ozoner]

The local NBC affiliate ran a recap of the case:

13-year-old girl who vanished from Detroit in 1982 is still missing

A 13-year-old girl who vanished from Detroit in 1982 is still missing.

www.clickondetroit.com

 

[Aurora90]

The local NBC affiliate ran a recap of the case:

13-year-old girl who vanished from Detroit in 1982 is still missing

A 13-year-old girl who vanished from Detroit in 1982 is still missing.

www.clickondetroit.com

Unfortunately its not much of a recap. I wish we had more info regarding the circumstances of her disappearance.

 

[Pennysmom1]

This is 5 years old but the poster might be helpful

https://www.facebook.com/IndianCountrysMissing/photos/a.703344213180473/1096353143879576

Michelle Wells

Above: Michelle circa, 1982 Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance Missing Since: January 1, 1982 Missing From: Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan Classification: Endangered Missing Date Of Birth: …

rcccmcc.com

 

[Pennysmom1]

Michelle Wells, Missing from Michigan since 1982.

A blog about the many missing, murdered, and unidentified Native/Indigenous/Aboriginal women of the United States and Canada. Say Their Names!

www.justicefornativepeople.com

<<DOB: Unknown, circa 1969.
Description: Michelle was between 5'0 and 5'5 at the time she disappeared. She has auburn hair.

Tribal Information: Unknown>>