In the late summer of 1993, 27-year-old Kimberlee Sue Turner was a familiar face in her small community just north of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She lived with her boyfriend of eight years, Joe Donogriche, in a trailer on Tucker Road. However, on the morning of September 29, 1993, Kimberlee's familiar presence would vanish, leaving behind a mystery that has endured for decades.
On that day, she was last seen walking from a local convenience store, Sheila's Grocery, after purchasing a pack of cigarettes. The store was within walking distance of her home. After that brief errand, Kimberlee was never seen or heard from again.
The circumstances of Kimberlee's disappearance were immediately alarming. Back at her trailer, she had left behind all of her personal belongings, including her purse. A load of laundry was found still in the washing machine, and other clothes were left hanging to dry on an outside line, suggesting she had intended to return. It was out of character for her to leave without a trace. While family members acknowledged that Kimberlee had a history of disappearing for a few days at a time, she would always make contact with them. This time was different; the silence was profound and permanent.
The investigation into Kimberlee's disappearance quickly focused on her boyfriend, Joe Donogriche, who was the one to report her missing. He has been considered a suspect in her case from the beginning, though he has never been charged and maintains his innocence. Investigators with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department noted that there were inconsistencies in his story. Early in the investigation, a van registered in Kimberlee's name was examined for evidence, but a substance initially thought to be blood was later determined not to be. Despite chasing down various leads, including using a helicopter to search the area for any signs of disturbance, the case grew cold. Investigators are treating her disappearance as a possible homicide. The case of Kimberlee Sue Turner remains an unsolved and painful mystery for her loved ones, a story of a young woman who walked to a nearby store for a simple purchase and then vanished from the face of the earth, leaving only questions and heartache in her wake.Last Seen: Sep 29, 1993
