Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP8387) and 6 other sources
On February 16, 1985, 31-year-old Penny Lynn McClees was last seen in Aurora, Colorado. She resided with her family in the 2500 block of South Pagosa Court at the time of her disappearance. Penny, a mother who had previously lived in Texas, was described as a white female with brown hair and hazel eyes who wore glasses. At the time she went missing, she was reportedly experiencing significant marital problems and was involved in child custody disputes. Following her disappearance, she was never seen or heard from again, leaving behind a life and family under a cloud of unanswered questions.

The circumstances surrounding Penny's disappearance were immediately considered suspicious by law enforcement. The investigation into her case soon focused on her husband, John McClees. Authorities have stated their belief that John was responsible for Penny's disappearance and death. Despite being the primary person of interest in the case, he was never formally charged in connection with her vanishing. John McClees passed away in 2010, taking with him any potential confession or further insight into what happened to his wife. The Aurora Police Department has been the investigating agency for this case since it was first reported on February 18, 1985.

The case of Penny McClees is a somber one, marked by domestic turmoil and the enduring pain of a family left without answers. Although her husband was the main suspect, his death closed the door on a primary avenue of the investigation. Without a confession or the discovery of her remains, the case grew cold, leaving a lingering sense of injustice and unresolved grief for her loved ones. The official narrative from law enforcement points to a domestic dispute that ended in tragedy, but without concrete evidence or a conviction, Penny's case remains an open and unsolved missing persons investigation.

Last Seen: Feb 16, 1985

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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.

81%Moderate
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 77%94 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'2"–5'7"
Weight 100%115 lb vs 125–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Brighton, Colorado - unidentified case UP16011
Jane Doe — Brighton, Colorado
UP16011 • Found Jan 8, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 18–35 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%18 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'2"–5'7"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown

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.