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Cynthia Marl Missing Person Case

Last seen in Wenatchee, Washington on Mar 19, 2005

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Victim Details

May 29, 2014

May 26, 2023

Cynthia

Marl

66

45

67 inches

140 lbs

165 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Mar 19, 2005

Wenatchee

Washington

Chelan County

98801

No

15339

Wenatchee Police Department

Wenatchee

Washington

Chelan County

98801

Shawndra Duke

Police Officer

140 South Mission Street, Washington

5098884200

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.wenatcheewa.gov/government/police

05W04361

Mar 20, 2005

Wenatchee Police Department

Brown

Blue

Blue

No

Oct 3, 2026


Area Last Seen:

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Missing from Wenatchee

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP24746) and 7 other sources
In the quiet city of Wenatchee, Washington, a family's life was forever altered on the evening of March 19, 2005. Cynthia Jane Marl, a 45-year-old woman, informed her son that she was heading out to run some errands and expected to be home within the hour. She departed from their residence in the 300 block of South Delaware Avenue, driving her dark green or teal-colored 1995 Plymouth Voyager van. That brief trip to the store was the last time her son, or anyone else, would report seeing her. When Cynthia didn't return that night as planned, her son grew increasingly concerned. His worry was amplified by the fact that Cynthia was a devoted pet owner to a very sick dog, and it was highly uncharacteristic of her to leave the animal unattended for any significant period.

The initial days of Cynthia's disappearance were fraught with frustration for her family. When her son attempted to file a missing person's report, he was met with resistance, a common yet heartbreaking obstacle in cases involving adults. The investigation into her vanishing gained momentum when her van was discovered on May 6, nearly two months after she was last seen. The vehicle was found abandoned in Ephrata, Washington, roughly 50 miles from her home. A witness reported that the van had been parked in that location for about a month. Disturbingly, the van had been wiped down with gasoline, and all of Cynthia's personal belongings were missing, suggesting a deliberate attempt to erase any evidence. This discovery deepened the fears of foul play and left investigators with more questions than answers.

Years passed without any significant breakthroughs in the case, leaving Cynthia's loved ones in a painful state of limbo. A potential lead emerged in April 2009, when a man named Scott Bates was killed during a burglary attempt. Following his death, law enforcement revealed that Bates had been a person of interest in Cynthia's disappearance for some time. An informant had come forward with unsettling allegations, claiming that Cynthia had been involved in selling prescription painkillers and that Bates had plotted to rob her of drugs and money. The informant detailed a violent plan in which Bates, who had a background in martial arts, intended to incapacitate and possibly kill her. Prior to her disappearance, Cynthia had been arrested for heroin possession. At the time she went missing, she was unemployed due to a back injury and was receiving Social Security benefits, yet she may have had a substantial amount of cash with her. Despite these revelations and her son's strong belief that Bates was responsible for his mother's fate, Cynthia's case remains unsolved. The official investigation continues, a quiet but persistent search for a woman who was a mother, a student with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, and a cherished member of her family, whose sudden absence has left an irreplaceable void.
Last Seen: Mar 19, 2005

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Cynthia Jane Marl - The Charley Project
  • 4309DFWA - Cynthia Jane Marl - Doe Network
  • Cynthia Jane Marl | Van found, wiped with gasoline - YouTube
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP24746
  • Victim was suspected in woman's disappearance | Local News
  • Search Continues For Two Missing Wenatchee Women - ncwlife.com
  • Cynthia Jane Marl | Websleuths

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Seattle, Washington - unidentified case UP14084
    Jane Doe — Seattle, Washington
    UP14084 • Found May 29, 2015
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 76%Est. 60–80 vs 45 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 76%95 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%137 lb vs 140–165 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (2)

    Hi everyone, I've been digging into Cynthia Jane Marl's case and something's been bothering me about... ...Read More
    04/21/2024
    Has anyone looked into Cynthia Marl's connections at Wenatchee Valley College? I know she was... ...Read More
    10/06/2023

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