Marie Ann Blee, a 15-year-old high school sophomore from Hayden, Colorado, disappeared on November 21, 1979. She was a bright and sociable student, actively involved in 4-H and the manager of her school's wrestling team. On the evening of her disappearance, Marie attended a 4-H dance in the nearby town of Craig with an 18-year-old friend, Marty Dean Doolin. After the dance, they went to a party at the Shadow Mountain Village mobile home park.
Some of Marie's female friends also attended the party but soon left, feeling uncomfortable due to the presence of many older men and drug use. Marie, however, chose to stay behind.
According to Doolin, the last time he saw Marie was between 1:30 and 2:00 a.m. when she informed him that she had arranged for a ride back to Hayden with someone else, though she did not specify who. There were conflicting reports, with some witnesses placing her at a store in Craig in the early morning hours. When Marie failed to return home the next morning, her parents reported her missing. Initially, law enforcement treated her case as a runaway, a conclusion her parents adamantly disputed, stating it was entirely out of character for their daughter. This initial assessment led to a delay in a thorough investigation, with crucial witnesses and potential suspects not being interviewed in a timely manner.
A week after Marie's disappearance, the case took a disturbing turn when Doolin was arrested for extortion. He admitted to calling Marie's family and demanding a $5,000 ransom for her safe return. Doolin later pleaded guilty to telephone harassment and claimed he only made the call to give the family hope that she was still alive. He has consistently maintained his innocence regarding her disappearance. Over the years, numerous theories have circulated about what happened to Marie, including the possibility that she died of a drug overdose at the party and her body was concealed. The case was officially reopened in 1999, and although several individuals were identified as persons of interest, including Max Abel Garcia and Stephen 'Steve' Skufca, no charges have ever been filed in connection with her disappearance. Skufca passed away in 2012, maintaining his innocence until the end. Despite extensive searches and numerous interviews conducted over the decades, Marie Ann Blee's case remains unsolved, and foul play is suspected.Last Seen: Nov 21, 1979
