Flossie Wilbur Missing Person Case

Mar 10, 2011

Nov 02, 2023

Flossie

Wilbur

116

75

66 inches

160 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

In the quiet town of Angelica, New York, the summer of 1985 holds the memory of a mystery that began with a woman named Flossie Wilbur. At 75 years old, Flossie was a widow who lived a solitary life. On August 24, 1985, she was seen for the last time, running errands that included a trip to the grocery store. Her disappearance went unnoticed for about a week, a testament to her reclusive nature. When concern finally grew, authorities were alerted. Upon their arrival at her West Main Street home, they found a scene frozen in time. Her car was parked in the driveway, and inside were groceries, including perishable items, slowly spoiling in the summer heat. The house itself was unlocked, with a half-eaten meal left on the kitchen table, suggesting a sudden and unexpected departure. Flossie was known in the community for her surly disposition and quick temper, often keeping to herself. She was a retired farmer who did not have many friends or relatives. Her world was largely confined to her home and her own thoughts, which she meticulously documented in a diary. This diary contained her observations and opinions about the people in her community, and one name that appeared frequently was that of her neighbor, David Sherk. The investigation into her disappearance spanned decades, leaving a void in the small town's history. Despite extensive searches by law enforcement, which included the use of bloodhounds and helicopters, no trace of Flossie was ever found. Theories swirled, but no concrete evidence emerged to explain what had happened to her. Decades later, in the summer of 2020, a significant development brought the cold case back into the light. David Sherk, then in a medical facility with a terminal illness, confessed to Flossie's murder. He disclosed to authorities that he had buried her body near the Almond Dam. This revelation prompted new searches in the area he indicated, but the landscape had been altered by years of flooding, complicating the efforts to locate her remains. Due to his failing health and his cooperation with the investigation, it was decided that no charges would be filed against Sherk. The case of Flossie Wilbur, a woman who lived a life of solitude, thus found a resolution, though not the one that brought her home. Her story is a somber reminder of a life interrupted, a mystery that lingered for 35 years before a final, sad chapter was written.

Aug 24, 1985

Angelica

New York

Allegany County

14709

9783

New York State Police - Amity

Belmont

New York

Allegany County

14813

5591 New York 19, New York

5853446200

State

Law Enforcement

AWEL85-410

1985-09-02

New York State Police - Amity

Black

Brown

Brown

09/15/2026