Account
Apr 30, 2013
Jun 07, 2024
Shirley
Banning
85
36
68 inches
69 inches
160 lbs
White / Caucasian
Female
Shirley Joann Banning, a 36-year-old mother of three, was living with her sister in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, in the spring of 1975. On May 23rd of that year, she was physically last seen at a beauty parlor at the corner of 31st and Mingo in Tulsa, Oklahoma, around 12:30 p.m. A few days later, on May 26th, Shirley called her sister, informing her that she was going to Arkansas with her ex-husband and current boyfriend, Alex “Ace†Banning, Sr. During this phone call, her sister noted that Shirley's speech was slurred and she vaguely mentioned staying at "some inn." This was the last time any of her family members heard from her. Shirley was described as a Caucasian female, standing at 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 160 pounds. She had frosted auburn hair, hazel or grey eyes, and wore distinctive cat-eye style glasses. The circumstances surrounding Shirley's disappearance quickly became concerning. Her yellow 1967 Opel Kadette was discovered abandoned in the parking lot of a Hilton Inn. Inside the vehicle were several of her personal belongings, including two pairs of shoes, some undergarments, and flowers she had intended to place on graves for Memorial Day. This was particularly uncharacteristic, as Shirley was known to be very close with her family, especially her children, and it was unlike her to be out of contact. The investigation soon focused on Alex Banning, who had a documented history of being abusive towards Shirley. Shirley had even confided in her sister, telling her that if she ever went missing, Alex was likely responsible for her murder. Despite strong suspicions, Alex Banning was never charged in connection with Shirley's disappearance. He passed away from a heart attack in 1993 while incarcerated for an unrelated rape conviction, and he never confessed to any involvement in Shirley's case. Over the years, investigators received information suggesting Shirley's body might be in a well on property owned by Alex's family in Etna, Arkansas. A search of the property was conducted in April 2013, but unfortunately, no remains were found. One informant alleged that Alex killed Shirley because she was going to disclose incriminating information about one of his relatives. The case of Shirley Joann Banning remains an unresolved and troubling mystery, leaving her family without answers for decades. The official investigation, handled by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, remains open as they continue to hope for new information that could finally bring closure to her loved ones.
May 23, 1975
Tulsa
Oklahoma
Tulsa County
13482
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office
Tulsa
Oklahoma
Tulsa County
74103
303 West 1st Street, Oklahoma
9185965601
County
Law Enforcement
2004005489;ECSO # 0701516
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office
Red/Auburn
Hazel
Hazel
06/07/2026
