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Jennifer Schmidt Missing Person Case

Last seen in West Lafayette, Indiana on Aug 6, 1985

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Victim Details

Jan 26, 2010

Nov 10, 2023

Jennifer

Schmidt

60

19

66 inches

125 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Aug 6, 1985

West Lafayette

Indiana

Tippecanoe County

20943

West Lafayette Police Department

West Lafayette

Indiana

Tippecanoe County

47906

Jonathan Eager

Lieutenant of Criminal Investigations

711 West Navajo Street, Indiana

7657755200

Local

Law Enforcement

1985-4037

West Lafayette Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP4822) and 10 other sources
Jennifer Lee Schmidt, a 19-year-old Purdue University student, went missing on August 6, 1985, in West Lafayette, Indiana. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, she was an electrical engineering major attending summer classes at Purdue. That afternoon, Jennifer left her off-campus apartment intending to speak with a professor but never returned. She was last seen conversing with an acquaintance near Grant and Northwestern Streets on the Purdue campus.

Despite extensive efforts by her family, friends, and authorities, Jennifer was never seen again. Her disappearance was highly suspicious, and foul play is suspected. Her vehicle was not found at the time of her disappearance, but the police quickly launched an investigation. Tragically, in 1993, Jennifer was declared legally dead by the state of Ohio at the request of her family.

Her case remains unsolved, and the West Lafayette Police Department continues to investigate, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Last Seen: Aug 6, 1985

Links to Additional Sources (10)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Jennifer Lee Schmidt - The Charley Project
  • Jennifer Schmidt | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • The Strange Disappearance of Jennifer Schmidt | by Jenn Baxter
  • 2775DFIN - Jennifer Lee Schmidt - Doe Network
  • Schmidt
  • Jennifer Lee Schmidt - MISSING - Solve the Case
  • Julie Ann Hanson - Identifinders - Jennifer Lee Schmidt Missing
  • IN - IN - Jennifer Schmidt, 19, West Lafayette, 6 Aug 1985 | Websleuths
  • Purdue university student disappearance in 1985 - Facebook

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Dolton, Illinois - unidentified case UP122444
    Jane Doe — Dolton, Illinois
    UP122444 • Found Oct 5, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 17–22 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 77%91 mi away
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 75%5'2"–5'9" vs 5'6"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP11897
    Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan
    UP11897 • Found Nov 2, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 19–29 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 51%240 mi away
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%120 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP138168 • Found Apr 19, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 74%107 mi away
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
    Weight 98%139 lb vs 125 lb

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Jennifer Lee Schmidt was 19 and a Purdue University electrical engineering student when she... ...Read More
    10/01/2023

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