Darleen Fitchett Missing Person Case

Darleen May Fitchett, a 28-year-old mother of three, disappeared from her Des Moines, Iowa home on January 19, 1960. She was last seen ironing clothes in the basement of her house on East Pleasant View Drive. Her children, ages 9, 6, and 1, reported hearing their parents argue that night, followed by strange noises from the basement, including sawing or digging sounds. Darleen's husband, Lance Fitchett, later told the children that their mother had left for California. However, Darleen left behind all her belongings, including critical medication for her thyroid cancer.

Lance did not report her missing—concerned neighbors and friends eventually alerted the authorities. Suspicion quickly fell on Lance due to his contradictory statements and actions. The day after Darleen’s disappearance, Lance traded in his truck, and soon after, his girlfriend, Colleen Seiberling, moved into the family home. Despite these suspicious circumstances, Darleen's body was never found, and Lance was never formally charged. Investigators later uncovered evidence suggesting foul play, and her case remains classified as a presumed homicide.

In 2014, police dug up the basement of the family’s former home after ground-penetrating radar indicated possible disturbances under the concrete, but the search yielded no results. Lance died in 2005, but investigators continue to seek answers regarding Darleen's fate.
Last Seen: Jan 19, 1960

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