In late 1996, 32-year-old Mary Bernadette Brubaker was traveling with her boyfriend from Boulder, Colorado, to Yuma, Arizona, where they had been living. This trip to Colorado had been a visit with her family, who noticed a palpable tension between Mary and her boyfriend. Mary, who usually kept in regular contact with her family through calls, cards, and letters, suddenly fell silent. The communication ceased somewhere between Boulder and Yuma, and she has not been seen or heard from since.
Her family grew increasingly worried when she failed to check in to confirm a Western Union transfer in the summer of 1997.
At the time of her disappearance, Mary was described as a white female, 5'8' tall, and weighing between 125 and 135 pounds. She had long, straight brown hair that reached the middle of her back and hazel eyes. Mary had pierced ears and a noticeable surgical scar that started from her left breast and extended to her abdomen. She was known to wear Levi jeans, a button-up blouse, and either boots or tennis shoes. She also frequently wore gold hoop earrings, numerous bracelets, and multiple rings. The vehicle they were traveling in was a distinctive 1969 orange and black Chevrolet El Camino pickup.
The years following Mary's disappearance have been filled with anguish and a determined search for answers by her family. They repeatedly reached out to law enforcement, her ex-boyfriend, and her neighbors, but their efforts yielded no significant leads. Initially, her family was told by police that as an adult, Mary had the right to go missing if she chose to. This explanation was difficult for her family to accept, especially given the concerning circumstances of her last known contact. Her sister reported that Mary was going through a tumultuous breakup and had mentioned hearing voices, which further heightened their concern. Despite the passage of time and the lack of activity on her credit cards or driver's license, her case remains an active missing person investigation, a painful and unresolved chapter for a family still hoping for answers.Last Seen: Dec 1, 1996
