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Violet Matory Missing Person Case

Last seen in Compton, California on Jul 20, 1977

Victim Details

Apr 15, 2010

Jul 17, 2019

Violet

Matory

58

9

60 inches

115 lbs

Black / African American

Female

Jul 20, 1977

Compton

California

Los Angeles County

90220

26751

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Monterey Park

California

,

077-20224-2010-999

Jul 20, 1977

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Black

Brown

Brown

No

Oct 12, 2026


Area Last Seen:

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MISSING: Violet Matory, Yolanda Williams, Sir-Kristopher ...

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP6364) and 4 other sources
Violet Matory, a 9-year-old girl from Compton, California, disappeared on July 20, 1977, under chilling circumstances. On that day, a fire engulfed the home where Violet lived with her mother, Earlene Williams, her sisters, Ivy and Yolanda, and a family friend, Sir-Kristopher Marshall, who was visiting. Earlene's body was found inside the burned-down home, revealing she had been strangled before the fire started. None of the children were found in the house.

A trail of blood leading from the home suggested someone had been injured and possibly fled by car. Investigators later received reports that Violet, her siblings, and Sir-Kristopher were seen with James Williams, Earlene’s estranged husband, at a Denny’s restaurant in Grapevine, California, the morning after the fire. James was arrested and charged with the murder of Earlene and the children, who were set to testify against him in a pending sexual abuse case involving Ivy. Despite two trials, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, and the charges were eventually dropped.

In 2014, Ivy’s remains were discovered in Corona, California, but the whereabouts of Violet, Yolanda, and Sir-Kristopher remain unknown. The case remains unresolved, and law enforcement continues to seek information about the missing children, hoping to bring closure to a decades-long mystery.
Last Seen: Jul 20, 1977

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Violet Bobbie Matory - The Charley Project
  • 1274DFCA - Violet Bobbie Matory - Doe Network
  • Violet Matory | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Violet B. Matory | State of California - Department of Justice - CA.gov

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

    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.

    83%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP4106
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4106 • Found Dec 5, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 18–26 vs 9 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'2"–5'6" vs 5'0"
    Weight 100%75–110 lb vs 115 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP4198
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4198 • Found Jul 30, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 14–17 vs 9 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'0"–5'4" vs 5'0"
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP139172
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP139172 • Found Jan 27, 2025
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 9 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 48 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'2"–5'4" vs 5'0"
    Weight 100%125 lb vs 115 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3892 • Found Jul 28, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 12–16 vs 9 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'3" vs 5'0"
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP132299 • Found Jul 20, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 9 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 47 years after last seen
    Height 52%5'4"–5'7" vs 5'0"
    Weight 100%115–145 lb vs 115 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Inglewood, California - unidentified case UP4436
    Jane Doe — Inglewood, California
    UP4436 • Found Oct 14, 1977
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 21%Est. 16–30 vs 9
    Race 100%Black
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'1"–5'5" vs 5'0"
    Weight 100%124 lb vs 115 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 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.

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    Forum Posts (2)

    Has anyone else dug into the details around the sighting at the Denny’s in Grapevine? I’m baffled by... ...Read More
    06/05/2024
    Did anyone else find it odd how the reports placed Violet, her sisters, and Sir-Kristopher at a... ...Read More
    06/13/2023

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