Essie Hiett Missing Person Case

Essie Margarette Hiett, a 47-year-old woman, disappeared on February 13, 1978, in Oroville, California. She was last seen leaving her shift as a bartender and hostess at a local cardroom, driving her brown 1975 Oldsmobile Toronado between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. Essie was heading home, but she never arrived. Later that day, her vehicle was discovered abandoned and wrecked in a ditch along Palermo-Honeycut Road, about a mile from her residence. Her clothes and personal belongings were scattered near the car, but there was no trace of Essie.

Hiett was wearing a distinctive green blouse with a picture of a woman's face on it, white pants, and a tan jacket. She also wore a wedding ring set, earrings, and glasses. Despite extensive searches and investigations, her body has never been found, and foul play is suspected.

In 2015, authorities considered a possible link between her case and that of another missing woman, Deborah Owens, but this connection was eventually ruled out. Hiett's case remains unsolved, and investigators are still seeking leads to determine what happened to her that night.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Butte County Sheriff's Office.
Last Seen: Feb 13, 1978

Essie Margarette Hiett - The Charley Project

Essie Margarette Hiett | State of California - Department of Justice

Missing Person / NamUs #MP19279 | NamUs

Husband arrested in connection with wife's 1978 disappearance

Investigation of Oroville woman's 1978 disappearance leads to ...

Husband arrested for murder in 36-year-old cold case - KRCR

Husband of woman who went missing in 1978 arrested - KCRA