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251 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Joan Yarbrough Bernal, a 34-year-old mother, vanished from Joliet, Illinois, leaving behind a life and a family who continue to seek answers. The last purported sighting of her was on December 9, 1988. Her husband, Gilbert T. Bernal Sr., told authorities a story of a vacation to Texas that was cut short. According to him, during their drive, Joan had a change of heart and insisted on returning home. He claimed to have dropped her off at a bus station in McAlester, Oklahoma, with $1,500 and a tic ...Read More
Last Seen: Dec 09, 1988

Victim Details

Nov 07, 2011

Nov 08, 2022

Joan

Bernal

70

34

60 inches

63 inches

130 lbs

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Dec 09, 1988

Joliet

Illinois

Will County

21790

Will County Sheriff's Office

Joliet

Illinois

Will County

60433

16911 West Laraway Road, Illinois

8157278575

County

Law Enforcement

24-88-362-059

Will County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Blue

Blue

05/24/2026


Area Last Seen: