Marie Elizabeth Spannhake, a 19-year-old woman, went missing on January 31, 1976, in Chico, California. She had recently moved to the area from Cleveland, Ohio, to live with her fiancé, John Baruth. On the day of her disappearance, the couple visited a local flea market, where they got into an argument. Upset, Marie decided to walk home alone. She was last seen around 4:00 p.m. on Mangrove Avenue, but she never arrived at their apartment.
Marie was reported missing by her fiancé on February 2, 1976. Investigators found no signs of her departure, as all her belongings—including clothes and her toothbrush—remained in place at the apartment. Initially, John Baruth was considered a suspect, but after passing a polygraph test, he was cleared.
Years later, in 1984, a disturbing development emerged when Janice Hooker, the wife of convicted kidnapper Cameron Hooker, came forward. She confessed to police that she and her husband had abducted and killed Marie. Janice claimed they had picked up Marie as she was walking home and took her to their residence, where Cameron tortured and ultimately murdered her. According to Janice, they buried her body somewhere between Redding and Lassen Volcanic National Park, but despite efforts to locate her remains, Marie’s body has never been found.
Though the Hookers have not been formally charged with Marie's disappearance, her case remains unsolved, and foul play is strongly suspected.
Last Seen: Jan 31, 1976
