On February 2, 1999, a 26-year-old woman named Katherine Marie Lowery, also known as Kathy, disappeared from her home in Olive Branch, Mississippi. She was living on a large property on Center Hill Road with her eight-year-old daughter, nine-year-old son, and her boyfriend, who was known at the time as Sheldon Wright VanHoute. This day was particularly significant as it was her daughter's birthday.
Following her disappearance, VanHoute abruptly moved with Katherine's two children to Cheyenne, Wyoming. The children were not enrolled in school and were confined to a hotel room while VanHoute was at work. It wasn't until months later, in November 1999, that authorities in DeSoto County were alerted to Katherine's absence after her children were located in Wyoming with her boyfriend.
The investigation into Katherine's disappearance began to unfold after a courageous act by her young daughter. In October 1999, she managed to escape from the hotel and reported to the police that VanHoute had been sexually abusing her for months. This led to his arrest and subsequent conviction, for which he received six life sentences. During their investigation into the abuse, authorities discovered that "Sheldon Wright VanHoute" was an alias for a man named Steven "Troy" DeLoge. This revelation connected him to the disappearance of his half-sister, Elizabeth Eisel, who had been missing from Washington since 1985. With this new information, investigators turned their attention back to the home Katherine and DeLoge had shared in Mississippi.
Upon searching the Mississippi residence, investigators found that although it had been cleaned, traces of blood were still discovered on the floors and walls. Despite this discovery and searches of the surrounding area, Katherine's whereabouts could not be determined. DeLoge remains the primary suspect in her disappearance, as well as in the case of his missing half-sister, though he has never been charged in connection with either case. The story of Katherine Lowery is a tragic one, leaving her family, especially her children who insisted their "Mom wouldn't have just left us," without answers for decades. The case is a chilling reminder of the lasting impact of domestic abuse and the deep sorrow of an unresolved loss. Foul play is suspected, and Katherine is presumed deceased, though her body has never been found.Last Seen: Feb 2, 1999
