In the quiet community of Dolan Springs, Arizona, 65-year-old Verna Clayton vanished on May 19, 2008, leaving behind a life and a family who loved her. Before her disappearance, Verna had reportedly been liquidating her financial assets. She had recently met a man online and started a relationship with him, with plans to travel together in an RV. This man was later identified as Robert Lawson Carnochan, a conman who operated under multiple aliases.
The hope of a new chapter in her life tragically appears to have taken a dark turn, as this was the last time her loved ones had any contact with her. The circumstances surrounding her departure raised immediate concern among those who knew her.
The investigation into Verna's disappearance eventually uncovered a sinister pattern. As authorities delved into her case, they discovered connections to other missing women. It was found that Carnochan had also been the last person seen with Neva Lindley and Nancy Hartz, who disappeared under similar circumstances. All three women, located within a hundred-mile radius of each other, had entered into relationships with Carnochan after meeting him online and had also cashed out their financial assets shortly before they went missing. This discovery shifted the focus of the investigation, pointing towards the strong possibility of foul play. Evidence found during a search of Carnochan's residence linked him to the disappearances of all three women.
In a significant break in the case, Robert Lawson Carnochan was arrested on April 13, 2016, and was subsequently convicted on multiple counts of fraudulent schemes, theft, and forgery, resulting in a sixteen-year prison sentence. While this brought a measure of justice, the fates of Verna Clayton and Neva Lindley remained unknown. The tragic discovery of Nancy Hartz's remains near Topock, Arizona, confirmed the worst fears of investigators and the families involved. Before he could be formally charged in connection with the disappearances and Hartz's murder, Carnochan died in prison on September 25, 2020. The case of Verna Clayton remains an open investigation under the jurisdiction of the Mohave County Sheriff's Office. Although she has never been located, authorities presume she was a victim of foul play at the hands of Carnochan. Her disappearance serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that can lurk behind a digital screen and the profound loss experienced by a family left without answers.Last Seen: May 19, 2008
