On the night of June 6, 1986, in the small town of Richmond, Missouri, 40-year-old Sherry Wrisinger and her 16-year-old daughter, Johnna, vanished without a trace. That evening, Sherry had been playing cards with friends while Johnna was out on a date. Johnna was dropped off at her home on Ottman Street just before her midnight curfew, and Sherry also headed home around the same time. They have not been seen or heard from since.
The two older Wrisinger daughters were away for the weekend, and it wasn't until months later, on September 16, 1986, that Sherry's brother-in-law officially reported them missing. The initial account provided by Sherry's husband, Ronald Wrisinger, was that Sherry had left him for a wealthy veterinarian and had taken their youngest daughter, Johnna, with her.
The circumstances surrounding their disappearance quickly raised suspicions of foul play. Investigators found that Sherry and Johnna had left behind all of their personal belongings, including their clothes. Sherryï s car remained at the home, and uncashed paychecks for both her and Johnna were discovered inside. This was particularly uncharacteristic for Sherry, who was known to be a dependable employee at the Shirkey Leisure Acres nursing home, having missed only one day of work in twelve years. The veterinarian that Ronald claimed his wife had left for was found to not exist. Further investigation revealed a disturbing series of events that preceded their disappearance. In the months leading up to that June night, the Wrisinger family had received anonymous, threatening letters. These letters made ominous references to a deceased relative, suggesting someone would be joining them soon. In addition to the letters, friends and family reported acts of vandalism to their cars, including slashed tires, loosened lug nuts, and windows being shot out. The FBI launched an extortion investigation, but no suspects were ever identified, and the menacing activities ceased once the federal agency became involved.
For years, the case grew cold, leaving a void of answers for the family and community. However, in May 2009, more than two decades after Sherry and Johnna were last seen, a major development occurred. Ronald Wrisinger, who had since moved to Arkansas, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the disappearance of his wife and daughter. This break in the case came after a full review and reinvestigation reportedly uncovered new evidence. Ronald pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence. The legal proceedings, however, took another unexpected turn when, in April 2010, the murder charges against him were dropped. The prosecution cited the death of a key witness as the reason they could not proceed with the case. Although the charges were dismissed, the possibility of refiling them remains if new evidence comes to light. The bodies of Sherry and Johnna Wrisinger have never been found, and their case remains an unsolved mystery, a lingering story of loss and unanswered questions that began on a summer night in 1986.Last Seen: Jun 6, 1986
