In the spring of 1988, a young man named Jerry Dewayne Plaster vanished from Manassas, Virginia, leaving behind a puzzle that has troubled his family and investigators for decades. On April 16, 1988, Jerry, then 25 years old, was given a ride by his roommate to the Manassas Mall on Sudley Road. He assured his friend he would find his own way back to their residence on Brent Street, but he was never seen or heard from again. At the time of his disappearance, Jerry was described as a white male, standing 5'10' and weighing around 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He had several distinguishing marks, including scars on his left wrist and elbow, a previously fractured right wrist, a mole and a dimple on his left cheek, and a pierced left ear where he wore a cut-glass earring. He was last seen wearing a brown shirt over a blue t-shirt, dark blue corduroy pants, and white tennis shoes.
Jerry was known by his family as the youngest of five children, a self-proclaimed 'mama's boy' who enjoyed laughing and dancing. He had dropped out of Stonewall Jackson High School and was employed as a laborer. His family described his disappearance as entirely out of character, as he was not one to leave without any warning. In the initial days following his absence, his family wasn't overly concerned, aware of his social nature. However, as time passed with no contact, concern grew into a formal missing person report filed on May 17, 1988. Jerry was unmarried and had no children at the time he went missing.
The investigation into Jerry's disappearance has spanned many years, with his case being re-examined as new information has emerged. At one point, authorities sought to identify an individual who was reportedly seen with Jerry on the day he vanished. This person was described as a white male in his late twenties with an average build and unkempt, sandy blonde hair. Despite these efforts and the unwavering dedication of his family, particularly his sister, the case has remained unsolved. The circumstances surrounding Jerry Plaster's disappearance continue to be a mystery, a painful void for a family left without answers about what happened to their beloved brother and son after he was dropped off at a local mall one spring afternoon.
Last Seen: Apr 16, 1988
