TX TX - Phyllis Berry, 21, Terlingua, 1 Nov 1975

[theshadow45]

Phyllis has been missing for 48 years today.

 

[JnRyan]

The Charley Project updated their case file recently. Phyllis Eleanor Berry – The Charley Project

 

[imstilla.grandma]

https://chickasaw.net/getattachment/8eb83c0a-fa2f-47de-b4d7-913583697bc2/Phyllis-Eleanor-Berry-Missing-Person.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US

 

[Diane Redfern]

According to Charley Project: "She may have left the area riding on the back of a Honda 350 motorcycle with an unidentified male, described as being in his twenties with blond hair".
Maybe some witnesses were confused because she rode with Dale Wade.
And, maybe I'm a little bit wary, but I think it's weird that Terry appeared driving her car, looking for her.

Obituary for Terry Robert Bailey at Schaetter Funeral Home-Fredericksburg

Terry Robert Bailey of Fredericksburg, TX passed away on December 24,2023 at home. He was born on March 24,1955 to John Marjorie Bailey in Odessa, TX. Terry went to school at OHS in Odessa, TX where he grew up his entire life until he moved towards the Hill Country area.

www.schaetter.com

As far as I know, this Jane Doe has not been ruled out:

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

 

[theshadow45]

Today is Phyllis’ birthday.

 

[aurycore]

TX – Phyllis Eleanor Berry, W/F, 21, Terlingua, Brewster County, 1-2 Nov 1975


Phyllis Eleanor Berry

*Alias; Phyllis Eleanor Benny, Phyllis Eleanor Ecklison

View attachment 137930 View attachment 137931

Last Seen: November 1st - 2nd, 1975

Missing From: Terlingua, Brewster County, Texas

Physical/Clothing/Medical
Race: White
Sex: Female
Age: 21 Years Old
DOB: 09/16/54
Height: 5’3”-5’7” (63”-67”)
Weight: 110-120 lbs.
Hair: Brown
Eye Color: Hazel
Clothing: Tan and black shirt, blue jeans, knee high granny boots that laced up the front
Jewelry:
Characteristics/Medical/Scars: Pierced ears, flat brown mole on her lower right abdomen and a freckle between her thumb and right wrist, slight space between #8 & #9 two front teeth, slender build, prior pregnancy
Transportation:
Fingerprint Status: Available
Dental Status: Available
DNA Status: Available

Circumstances:
Phyllis was last seen in Terlingua, Brewster County, Texas at the “Terlingua Chili Cookoff” 12 miles from the Mexican Border. Terlingua is an old cinnabar mining ghost town with many abandoned mines in the area.

Phyllis and her roommate had quit their jobs accompanied by the roommate, a friend and a dog, the trio packed up clothes and food into Phyllis vehicle and had planned to camp in the area after the event ended.

At approximately midnight a few friends that had met up with Phyllis and her roommate at the event went to gather wood. Phyllis stayed behind by the dwindling campfire. When the group returned Phyllis had disappeared, her car, dog, purse and earrings were found however no Phyllis.

Phyllis was seen riding on back of a dark colored Honda 350 motorcycle a few hours prior to her disappearance with a male with blonde hair and appeared to be in his 20’s. LE was seeking the male whom Phyllis had been seen with, it was stated he was not a suspect however LE wanted to speak with him.

There was an extensive search of the area that lasted several days and included a plane, police dog, horseback and foot search by Phyllis friends and Texas Rangers.

Phyllis was from Odessa, TX and had spent a bit of time in Germany with a relative.

Investigating Agencies:
Texas Rangers, Company “E”
3500 N State Hwy 118
Alpine, TX. 79830
Tele: 432.447.3533
E-Mail: [email protected]
MP Case # 961
Web: TxDPS - Texas Rangers Field Operations

Texas Department of Safety, Missing Persons Clearinghouse
PO Box 4087
Austin, TX. 78773
Tele: 512.424.5074 / 800.346.3243
MP Case # M0007006
Contact: Susan Burroughs
Web: mpDetails

NCIC # M-400921199

Information Sources:
NAMUS
MP Case # 2927: Missing Person Case
Case Manager: Michael Nance
Tele: 917.527.0080
E-Mail: [email protected]

The Doe Network
MP Case # 544DFTX - 544DFTX - Phyllis Eleanor Berry

The Charley Project
Phyllis Eleanor Berry – The Charley Project

Crime Stoppers, Odessa
Odessa Crime Stoppers

News
09/25/77 – The Odessa American, Terlingua West site of cookoff slated Oct 8
11/06/75 – El Heraldo de Brownsville, Texas News in Brief
11/30/75 – The Odessa American, Odessa Girl’s Fate Unknown
10/16/76 – The Odessa American, Mystery Shrouds Disappearance of Odessan from Terlingua

According to NamUs, Phyllis is biracial (White and Native American). she was also registered under the Chickasaw Nation. On the website she's listed on there, but I think the page was deleted.

 

[aurycore]

oof, wait correction: NamUs put the chickasaw nation website as a source for her disappearance. the page has since been taken down. there are also speculations that she may be the finley creek jane doe, but it doesn't make much sense since the drive from terlingua to finley creek oregon (where the body of the doe was found) is 25 hours. The doe was also pregnant, but I don't think Phyllis ever was.

 

[Alleykins]

oof, wait correction: NamUs put the chickasaw nation website as a source for her disappearance. the page has since been taken down. there are also speculations that she may be the finley creek jane doe, but it doesn't make much sense since the drive from terlingua to finley creek oregon (where the body of the doe was found) is 25 hours. The doe was also pregnant, but I don't think Phyllis ever was.

According to her friend who posted here, Phyllis had a baby and gave it up for adoption. Then we also had another member post, stating he was the husband (I believe) of the child she gave up for adoption. So it's possible Phyllis may have had one child. I'm going by memory here, so I apologize if I'm wrong, but if you take a look at previous posts, the posts should still be there. I don't believe either member were verified as an insider on this case. Again, going by memory.
Welcome to Websleuths!

 

[aurycore]

According to her friend who posted here, Phyllis had a baby and gave it up for adoption. Then we also had another member post, stating he was the husband (I believe) of the child she gave up for adoption. So it's possible Phyllis may have had one child. I'm going by memory here, so I apologize if I'm wrong, but if you take a look at previous posts, the posts should still be there. I don't believe either member were verified as an insider on this case. Again, going by memory.
Welcome to Websleuths!

hey, thanks for welcoming me. I didn't know she had a kid. At 21? That's awfully young.

but about Finley Creek Jane Doe, I don't think it would make sense for Phyllis to be that doe because again, if you consider the distance from Terlingua (down in the south) up to Oregon, that's 25 hours. I don't think that some random guy took her 25 hours up to Oregon and dumped her body there because it would take too much time. Also, the doe is mostly identified to be white, but we don't know for certain because the remains were skeletal. the appearance certainly does match her, but the doe is also said to be patty otto, which is more logical, because the distance kind of makes sense? not sure how to word it.

 

[Alleykins]

Does Finley Creek Jane Doe have DNA?

 

[aurycore]

Does Finley Creek Jane Doe have DNA?

I'm not sure? I think she does. I don't want to check because the facial reconstruction scared the absolute crap out of me but I think you can look it up. a Doe Network profile may say it.

The facial reconstruction of the doe is a bit uncanny, so I will warn you on that. I did not want to check because the facial reconstruction kept me up at night, lol. but she might have DNA, just not any fingerprints. I found Finley Creek Jane Doe through a tiktok and it said Phyllis was a possible match, but I'm not sure for certain because the Daughter of Patricia Otto said it looked a lot like her (Patty Otto)

 

[HanjaD]

Phyllis Eleanor Berry Missing since November 1, 1975 from Terlingua, TX


-------------------------------------
Name: Phyllis Eleanor Berry
Missing: 2 November 1975
Last Known Location: Terlingua, Texas
Sex: Female
Race: White
Age: 21
DOB: 1954
Height: 5ft 5in
Weight: 110 lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Hazel
Ms Berry has pierced ears, a flat brown mole on her lower right abdomen, a slight space between her two front center teeth and a freckle between her thumb and right wrist.

Circumstances:

Phyllis Eleanor Berry was last seen at the "World Championship Chili Cookoff" in Terlingua in November of 1975. She may have left the area on the back of a motorcycle with an unknown male subject. An extensive search of the area was performed, but Ms. Berry was not located.

LINK:

Odessa Crime Stoppers Inc



-------------------------------------------------


Phyllis Eleanor Berry
Missing since November 1, 1975 from Terlingua, Brewster County, Texas.
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics

Date Of Birth: September 16, 1954
Age at Time of Disappearance: 21 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'5"; 110 lbs.
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Hazel eyes; brown hair. She is of slender build.
Marks, Scars: Berry has pierced ears, a flat brown mole on her lower right abdomen and a freckle between her thumb and right wrist.
Dentals: Available. She has a slight space between her two front center teeth.
Fingerprints/DNA: Available

Circumstances of Disappearance

Berry was last seen at the 'World Championship Chili Cookoff' near the Texas-Mexico border. Sometime between midnight and 08.00, November 2 she disappeared. She may have left the area on the back of a motorcycle with an unknown male subject. An extensive search of the area was performed, but Berry was not located. She has not been seen since.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Texas Department Of Public Safety
432-447-3533

NCIC Number: M-400921199
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Odessa Crime Stoppers
Doenetwork Case 544DFTX

LINK:

544DFTX - Phyllis Eleanor Berry

i am researching her as we speak..i am really into true crime and cold cases and missing persons...and this one really has my attention...and i feel with the more research we all do i hope she can be found...but i have my suspicions on who did it...but i may be wrong..

 

[HanjaD]

I was friends with Phyllis. I do not believe that is her in the last pics. She lived with a couple she called aunt and uncle, but I am fairly sure not blood relation. She went by their last name, Matheny, for awhile. She did not complete high school so no pics would be available. I wish her disappearance could solved, I think about her often.

I know this is along shot...but i have been doing deep dives on her case....i came across her case on another site and i was intrigued and now i want to see what i can do to find answers. I would like to speak with you if at all possible.

 

[HanjaD]

I'm not sure? I think she does. I don't want to check because the facial reconstruction scared the absolute crap out of me but I think you can look it up. a Doe Network profile may say it.

The facial reconstruction of the doe is a bit uncanny, so I will warn you on that. I did not want to check because the facial reconstruction kept me up at night, lol. but she might have DNA, just not any fingerprints. I found Finley Creek Jane Doe through a tiktok and it said Phyllis was a possible match, but I'm not sure for certain because the Daughter of Patricia Otto said it looked a lot like her (Patty Otto)

after looking at the sketch and stuff on the finley jane doe i do not think that is Phyllis Berry..plus this girl was pregnant at the time of her disappearnce and phyllis was not. but the face structure from what i seen is different...her nose is long and more slender than pyhllis...i have been digging on pyhllis case for a few weeks now. I hope one day her case can be solved

 

[aurycore]

yeah thats true. Also, welcome to websleuths!

 

[aurycore]

after looking at the sketch and stuff on the finley jane doe i do not think that is Phyllis Berry..plus this girl was pregnant at the time of her disappearnce and phyllis was not. but the face structure from what i seen is different...her nose is long and more slender than pyhllis...i have been digging on pyhllis case for a few weeks now. I hope one day her case can be solved

ah, i didnt say it was her. a tiktok that posted about finley creek jane doe said it could be a possible match, but I disagree since its more likely that doe is Patricia otto and not phyllis.

also, welcome to websleuths!

 

[HanjaD]

ah, i didnt say it was her. a tiktok that posted about finley creek jane doe said it could be a possible match, but I disagree since its more likely that doe is Patricia otto and not phyllis.

also, welcome to websleuths!

yes i have to agree...i am gonna bring awareness to phyllis on tik tok so i have been going down rabbit holes...but when i seen the drawing i have to agree its patricia cause somehow i landed on things about her as well.

 

[theshadow45]

Phyllis has been missing for 49 years today.

 

[HanjaD]

I want to take a moment and introduce myself to this thread and to thank you for taking your time to look into Phyllis' case. About 16 years ago, my wife did a search to find out who her birth mom was. She got bad news from the adoption agency - her mom, Phyllis Berry, had been registered as a missing person.

While this situation was sad for her, she did have the opportunity to meet Phyllis' sister and she has been a wonderful addition to our family. I am trying to do my part to keep her story alive. I found out about the site recently listening to a podcast and decided to look and was excited to find this thread dedicated to her.

My question to those who are regulars is "what do I do now?" What can I help provide that would be helpful?

We have given DNA to the Texas Rangers.
We have successfully opened some birth records from the state and adoption agency after years of working on the agency and the court.

Thanks for your help!

i have been researching phyllis for a bit now and i havent found anywhere that she had a child, but if she did i am glad your wife was able to reunite with the family.

 

[snooptroop88]

Phyllis bears a striking resemblance to 1979 Calistoga Jane Doe, est death could be 1975/1976. I saw people on here mentioning Rasmussen earlier so just putting this out there.