Shadows in Manassas: The Unsolved Disappearance and Tragic Fate of Ann Marie Shaw

A Quiet Life Interrupted

Ann Marie Shaw, also known as Ann Marie Godbey, was a 27-year-old woman of Filipino descent living in Manassas, Virginia. She was last seen on December 3, 1995. Ann Marie had two children with her former boyfriend, Walter Thomas Godbey, an independent contractor. Although they were never married, Ann Marie often used his last name. Earlier in 1995, she was granted custody of their children, and Walter was ordered to pay child support.

The Disappearance

Ann Marie's sudden disappearance left her family and community in shock. Despite extensive searches and investigations, no trace of her was found. The case remained unsolved for years, with little information available to the public. Her physical description was listed as an Asian female with black hair and brown eyes, standing between 5'0" and 5'10" tall, and weighing between 100 and 200 pounds.

A Break in the Case

In November 2001, a significant development occurred when Walter Godbey was charged with the murder of AOL executive Douglass Small. Godbey was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison for that crime. During the investigation, authorities uncovered information linking Godbey to Ann Marie's disappearance. In a plea agreement, he admitted to voluntary manslaughter in connection with her death and received an additional 10-year sentence. Godbey expressed remorse in court, stating that her death was a "terrible tragedy" and that he thought about her every day.

The Search for Closure

Despite Godbey's confession, Ann Marie's body has never been found. Investigators received information suggesting that her body was dismembered and that her torso was buried in a wooded park in Fairfax, Virginia. However, searches of the area were unsuccessful. The lack of physical evidence has left her family without the closure they desperately seek....Read More

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