MI MI - Natasha Shanes, 6, Jackson, 5 May 1985

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[h=1]Natasha Marie Shanes[/h]
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Natasha, circa 1985; Age-progression to age 34 (circa 2013)



  • Missing Since 05/08/1985
  • Missing From Jackson, Michigan
  • Classification Non-Family Abduction
  • Date of Birth 01/23/1979 (39)
  • Age 6 years old
  • Height and Weight 4'0, 57 pounds
  • Clothing/Jewelry Description A large blue and white shirt with a safety pin on it, and blue jeans or a denim skirt.
  • Medical Conditions Natasha suffers from epilepsy and a mild intellectual disability; she also has scoliosis. She has the mental age of a four-year-old and needs anti-seizure medication; if she doesn't take it, she may lapse into a coma and die.
  • Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Light brown/blonde hair, brown eyes. Natasha has a small scar on her forehead and a scar from a dog bite on one of her cheeks. She has a strawberry birthmark on the back of her neck at her hairline. Natasha has fallen arches, or flat feet. Her ears are pierced. Her nicknames are Tasha and Tashia. At the time of her disappearance, her hair was permed.


[h=3]Details of Disappearance[/h] Natasha was last seen asleep on the sofa in the living room of her family's home in the 900 block of Maple Avenue in Jackson, Michigan. Her mother awoke in the early morning hours of May 8, 1985 to the sound of a car door slamming outside. She fell back asleep and awoke again at 6:00 a.m.

Natasha's mother discovered that her daughter was missing from their residence at that time. One of the doors to their house was wide open and there was no trace of Natasha. She has never been heard from again. It is believed she either wandered away or was abducted between the hours of 1:30 and 6:00 a.m.

Natasha's mother's live-in boyfriend, Robert F. Forbes, was found shot to death near his own mother's house two days after Natasha disappeared. His death was ruled a suicide, but there is some suspicion that he was murdered.

Forbes was a drug dealer and had served a prison sentence for trafficking heroin. Authorities do not believe his crimes or his death are necessarily related to Natasha's case, however.

There have been no substantial leads in Natasha's case and an extensive search of the neighborhood turned up no sign of her. She is believed to be deceased. Her case remains unsolved.

http://charleyproject.org/case/natasha-marie-shanes

Status: Dental information / charting is currently not available

DNA Status: Sample is currently not available

Fingerprint information is currently not available

https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cases/2570/
 
Mother continues search for missing daughter after over 30 years

JACKSON, Mich. (WILX) - Natasha Marie Shanes disappeared from Jackson, Michigan May 7, 1985 when she was only six years old. Her mother continues to hold out hope that she will return after almost 39 years have gone by with no signs of her anywhere.
b3ac8d08230ce00c480b9b723f3a3939.jpg

According to Natasha's mother, Susan Shanes, someone took her daughter from their home while she was asleep. Police arrived on scene after receiving the call of a missing child, but could not find any signs of a forced entry. It's been ruled as a non-family abduction.

Two days after Natasha went missing, her mother's boyfriend, Robert F. Forbes was found shot near his mother's home. His death was ruled a suicide, but Susan is also suspicious about his death and believe he was murdered. Police tried to connect the two cases, but haven't been able to find any relation.

[...]

Video at link: http://www.wilx.com/content/news/Mo...g-daughter-after-over-30-years-483058661.html
 
It would be helpful to know why RF's death was ruled a "suicide," how Natasha's mother believes someone gained access to their house, what RF told police and what the officers in charge of the case think happened.

Had Natasha ever left the house alone before?

Was family/RF allowed by LE to participate in the neighborhood searches? If so, for how long did they/he?
Are any old articles from the 1980's reporting on the case still available?

Such a precious child. I'm shocked this case is not very well-known.
 
Last edited:
Age progression photos that show what Natasha Marie Shanes would have looked like as a 30-year-old in 2009 (left), a 34-year-old in 2013 (center), and a 39-year-old in 2018 (right).

Age progression photos that show what Natasha Marie Shanes would have looked like as a 30-year-old in 2009 (left), a 34-year-old in 2013 (center), and a 39-year-old in 2018

Multiple searches around the Jackson home and even in other states have uncovered no answers about Natasha Shanes’ disappearance.

Officials believe she disappeared between 1:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. May 5, 1985. She had strawberry blonde hair, brown eyes, and scars on her right cheek and forehead. It’s believed she was wearing blue jeans and a large blue and white shirt with a safety pin on it.
 
Just popping in for updates.

I live just a bit outside of city of Jackson but in Jackson county.
We have had a lot of local chatter but haven't checked for an update after the search last week.

I will take a look and post what I can find.
 
Friday 5/5/23
Large police presence on the 900 block Maple St. In the city. Large area taped off. Several PD units plus k9 dogs. Also Channel 6 on the scene. Getting reports they are looking for a baby that was buried on the property 38 years ago!!
Happened May 5th 1985
Natasha Shanes-age 6

JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS) — Officials were looking through the backyard of a Jackson home with a K-9 unit Friday.

Jackson Police requested K-9 assistance at around 1:19 p.m. to help search the property. The search is connected to a missing person’s case from nearly 40 years ago.

 
Friday 5/5/23
Large police presence on the 900 block Maple St. In the city. Large area taped off. Several PD units plus k9 dogs. Also Channel 6 on the scene. Getting reports they are looking for a baby that was buried on the property 38 years ago!!
Happened May 5th 1985
Natasha Shanes-age 6

JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS) — Officials were looking through the backyard of a Jackson home with a K-9 unit Friday.

Jackson Police requested K-9 assistance at around 1:19 p.m. to help search the property. The search is connected to a missing person’s case from nearly 40 years ago.

Wonder how this home is connected
 
Poor baby, maybe she was kidnapped thinking of doing some harm to her mother's boyfriend... a baby with epilepsy... maybe she had a seizure under the impression that she wasn't at home...
wherever you are little beautiful I hope you are well you are a little angel in heaven...
rest in peace
 
June 28, 2023



 

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