Cynthia Atterberry, a 25-year-old woman, vanished near Pike National Forest in Castle Rock, Colorado, on or around June 27, 1981. Originally from Springfield, Illinois, Cynthia, also known as Cindy, had moved to Colorado with her 30-year-old boyfriend, Oscar Joseph 'Joe' McNear Jr., in May of that same year. After their move, neither Cynthia nor Oscar made any further contact with their families back in Illinois, causing concern that grew with each passing day.
The couple was living in a trailer on a property owned by an associate of McNear's from Springfield. Their sudden silence was uncharacteristic and deeply troubling to those who knew them.
The investigation into their disappearance took a dark turn when authorities began to suspect foul play. Detectives received tips suggesting that Cynthia and Oscar had been shot and killed following an argument with two men, also from Springfield. This information led to a theory that their bodies were placed into 55-gallon drums and buried in the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountain foothills, specifically on property owned by one of the suspects near the South Platte River. A neighbor of the property owner reported hearing a gunshot, a woman's scream, and then more gunshots around the time the couple disappeared. In 1985, law enforcement conducted a search of the area based on these leads, but unfortunately, it yielded no evidence or any sign of the missing couple.
Decades have passed since Cynthia Atterberry and Oscar McNear were last seen, and their case remains an unsolved and painful mystery for their loved ones. Despite the compelling leads and the suspicions of law enforcement, no charges have ever been filed in connection with their disappearances. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office continues to keep the case open, hopeful that new information or advancements in forensic technology might one day provide the answers that have been sought for over four decades. The disappearance of Cynthia and Oscar serves as a somber reminder of a vibrant young life cut short and the enduring quest for justice and closure.Last Seen: Jun 27, 1981
