Annabelle Marie Ludwig, a 40-year-old mother of four, vanished from Cridersville, Ohio, in the spring or early summer of 1982. At the time, she was living with her ex-husband, Robert Ludwig, and three of their children in the 1800 block of Rose Avenue. Their relationship was known to be tumultuous, marked by separations, divorce proceedings, and affairs on both sides.
They had married in 1960 and divorced in 1977, after which Annabelle briefly married another man before returning to live with Robert in 1978. It was not uncommon for Annabelle to leave the family home for days or even weeks at a time without notice, but she had always returned. This history of leaving contributed to a delay in her being reported as a missing person.
Just before she disappeared, Annabelle had spoken of plans to travel to Florida. She had reportedly received communication from a former boyfriend who had moved there between 1980 and 1981 and expressed a desire to join him. One day, she was simply gone, leaving no note behind. Given her pattern of leaving, her family was not immediately alarmed. However, as time passed with no word, concern grew. Her ex-husband did not report her missing, and it wasn't until August 1982 that law enforcement began an investigation into her disappearance. Annabelle did not have a driver's license and was unemployed at the time she went missing.
Years have turned into decades with no contact from Annabelle, not even when her parents passed away. Her sisters have continued to search for answers, even holding a memorial service and placing a monument for her in the absence of a body to lay to rest. There have been unverified theories that she may have been murdered and buried on a farm near Jenera, Ohio, or at a property in Cridersville. Annabelle had some distinguishing physical features, including a mole or beauty mark above her upper lip and a wrist that had healed improperly from a childhood fracture, causing the bone to protrude. The circumstances surrounding Annabelle Ludwig's disappearance remain unclear, and her case is an active missing person investigation.Last Seen: May 10, 1982
