NV NV - Melinda Beardsley, 30, Reno, December 16, 1976

[victoriarobinson642]

Added to the Doe Network today (09/18/25), not in NAMUS

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/mp-main.html?id=5330DFNV

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Name: Melinda Beardsley
Case Classification: Missing
Missing Since: December 16, 1976
Location Last Seen: Reno, Washoe County, Nevada

Physical Description​

Date of Birth: October 10, 1946
Age: 30 years old
Race: White / Caucasian
Gender: Female
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 170 lbs
Hair Color: Dark brown, thick, and coarse
Eye Color: Dark brown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Crooked left incisor

Circumstances of Disappearance​

Melinda was last known to be living in Carson City, Nevada. In December of 1976, she was arrested for driving under the influence in Reno. A newspaper article about the incident listed her address in Carson City, providing the last confirmed record of her whereabouts. Originally from Michigan, Melinda also lived in California and Nevada during her life. She was a mother and described as being very close to her family, remaining in regular contact with them until the mid-1970s. The DUI arrest record from 1976 is the final proof of life her family has been able to locate.
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[HopeRains]

The arrest was reported in the Dec 16th Reno Gazette paper (kind of "fast", if you will, if it occurred same day given print deadlines, etc). I wonder if she was actually arrested prior to Dec 16.

Article clipped from Reno Gazette-Journal

Clipping found in Reno Gazette-Journal published in Reno, Nevada on 12/16/1976.

www.newspapers.com

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Melinda got married in 1964, at age 17, to KGC, 23. Their son was born a few months later.

 

[The4TierBridge]

She was added to NamUs today as #MP152455, case number 25-23182 and report date November 18, 2025 (today); The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

"Chosen Name/Nickname/Alias: "Pip" (nickname); Melinda Clausen; Melinda Dominque"

"Circumstances of Disappearance: Melinda was last known to be in the Reno / Carson City area on 12/16/1976. She also has prior ties to California and Michigan."

 

[translator]

TheDoeNetwork mentions Melinda “possibly had her teeth removed and replaced”.

And if I’m reading things correctly, it seems she hadn’t been in much contact with her family even prior to the arrest record date?

In terms of geography, the closest match would seem to be UP6296 who was found in Emigrant Gap, California in December 1977. 25-35yo, 5’8”, 140lbs (Melinda was 170lbs but Doe had stretch marks believed to be associated with recent weight loss), brown eyes, dark brown hair. The Doe had a removable partial dental plate replacing upper four incisors, however, so it would be interesting to know more about Melinda possibly having had her “teeth removed and replaced”.

Picture of UP

 

[eoyste]

TheDoeNetwork mentions Melinda “possibly had her teeth removed and replaced”.

And if I’m reading things correctly, it seems she hadn’t been in much contact with her family even prior to the arrest record date?

In terms of geography, the closest match would seem to be UP6296 who was found in Emigrant Gap, California in December 1977. 25-35yo, 5’8”, 140lbs (Melinda was 170lbs but Doe had stretch marks believed to be associated with recent weight loss), brown eyes, dark brown hair. The Doe had a removable partial dental plate replacing upper four incisors, however, so it would be interesting to know more about Melinda possibly having had her “teeth removed and replaced”.

Picture of UP

It appears that they both likely have DNA available to compare so hopefully that is what's happening now that Melinda has been added to NamUs!