Mary Elizabeth Stuart, aged 32, along with her two daughters, Fannie and Jessie, went missing from their home in Honeydew, California, on December 10, 1977. They left that morning in a red Opel station wagon to run errands, including trips to a television repair shop and possibly an optometrist. Mary had approximately $200 with her for these errands. They were expected to return before dark but never did.
A friend reported Mary and the children missing three days later. About a month after their disappearance, the family’s vehicle was found abandoned on an old logging road a few miles from their home. The car contained groceries, laundry, and the repaired television, but no sign of Mary or her daughters. The road where the car was discovered was not part of Mary’s usual route but would have led back to their home.
Suspicion has long fallen on Mary’s husband, Byron Stuart, due to his violent tendencies and erratic behavior following the family's disappearance. However, no charges were ever filed against him, and the case remains unsolved. Despite renewed investigations in 2009, Mary, Fannie, and Jessie’s whereabouts remain a mystery, and foul play is suspected. Investigators continue to search for leads that might shed light on what happened to the Stuart family.
Last Seen: Dec 10, 1977
