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Ruth Barber Missing Person Case

Last seen in Gulfport, Mississippi on May 31, 1984

Victim Details

Aug 23, 2013

Jan 12, 2024

Ruth

Barber

77

35

64 inches

66 inches

150 lbs

165 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

May 31, 1984

Gulfport

Mississippi

Harrison County

39501

No

14100

Gulfport Police Department

Gulfport

Mississippi

Harrison County

39501

Frank Mazzola

Sergeant Detective

2220 15th Street, Mississippi

2288685900

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.gulfportpolice.net/

84-13635

May 31, 1984

Gulfport Police Department

Blond/Strawberry

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 4, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP21591) and 12 other sources
Ruth Annette Barber, a 35-year-old woman, disappeared on May 31, 1984, after leaving her job at Bobbie Magees Club in Gulfport, Mississippi. On the day of her disappearance, she was reported to have been intoxicated when she got into a cab with a coworker. The cab dropped her coworker off at a Holiday Inn on Highway 90, leaving Ruth alone in the vehicle. The cab driver later reported that she had passed out in the backseat but briefly woke up, confused and asking for her baby, before exiting the cab and walking toward the beach. She left her purse behind in the cab, which the driver turned over to the police.

Ruth had recently returned to Mississippi from California, where she had been with a male companion who was wanted by the FBI. The two had traveled back to Mississippi to celebrate her daughter's birthday, and Ruth had decided to remain in the area for some time. Her connection to this man and his legal troubles has fueled speculation about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, but no concrete leads have emerged. Since that day, she has not been seen or heard from, and her case remains unsolved.

Despite extensive efforts by local law enforcement and continued inquiries by her loved ones, there has been little progress in determining what happened to Ruth Barber. The case remains open, and authorities are still seeking any information that could shed light on her fate.
Last Seen: May 31, 1984

Links to Additional Sources (12)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Ruth Barber — MissingSippi
  • Ruth Anette Johnson Barber - Missing for 38 Years - Reddit
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • 1152DFMS - Ruth Annette Barber - Doe Network
  • Ruth Barber | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • 1984 Ruth Barber 5-31-1984 - Ms Missing And Uid - Tapatalk
  • Ruth Barber/ Robin Smith - Newspapers.com™
  • Ruth Annette Johnson Barber - The Charley Project
  • Mississippi Missing and Unidentified - Ruth Annette Barber Missing ...
  • Any information on Ruth Barber's disappearance? - Facebook
  • MS - Ruth Johnson Barber, 36, Gulfport, 31 May 1984 | Websleuths
  • Unsolved - Ruth Annette Johnson Barber #Missing Since: May 31 ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

    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.

    82%Moderate
    Jane Doe — New Orleans, Louisiana
    UP7411 • Found Aug 15, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 35–49 vs 35
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%66 mi away
    TimingFound 3 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'6"
    Weight 88%190 lb vs 150–165 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — Milton, Florida - unidentified case UP1231
    Jane Doe — Milton, Florida
    UP1231 • Found Mar 12, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 35 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 70%124 mi away
    TimingFound 21 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'4"–5'6"
    Weight 82%120 lb vs 150–165 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Arabi, Louisiana
    UP14672 • Found Sep 12, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 35 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%62 mi away
    TimingFound 21 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"–5'6"
    Hair 70%Gray vs Blond

    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 (1)

    Has anyone else looked into the possibility that Ruth's disappearance might be tied to the... ...Read More
    02/11/2023

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