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Sheryl Tillinghast missing person case profile photo

Sheryl Tillinghast Missing Person Case

Last seen in Wassaic, New York on Sep 24, 1973

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Victim Details

Dec 1, 2009

Jan 12, 2024

Sheryl

Tillinghast

70

17

63 inches

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Sep 24, 1973

Wassaic

New York

Dutchess County

12592

No

7709

New York State Police - Dover Plains

Dover Plains

New York

Dutchess County

12522

Troop K -Dover Plains, New York

8458773669

State

Law Enforcement

8220971

Nov 2, 1998

New York State Police - Dover Plains

6561

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 12, 2026


Area Last Seen:

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Sheryl Ann Tillinghast

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP3259) and 8 other sources
Sheryl Ann Tillinghast, 17, disappeared on September 24, 1973, from Wassaic, New York, where she worked in the laundry room at the Wassaic State School for individuals with developmental disabilities. Originally from Phelps, New York, Sheryl had been sent to the Wassaic school after a reform school she attended burned down. Despite her difficult family dynamics, Sheryl remained in close contact with her siblings and even planned to visit home for her mother's birthday shortly before her disappearance.

The circumstances around Sheryl’s case are troubling. She left behind all her possessions, including two uncashed paychecks worth $150, which indicated she had no immediate plans to leave voluntarily. Sheryl had also written to a judge requesting a case worker check on her younger siblings at home, showing her concern for her family. One potential suspect in her case is a co-worker who had allegedly assaulted her a month before she vanished. Though he was arraigned, Sheryl disappeared before the court date.

Despite the passage of time, no solid leads have emerged in Sheryl’s case, and her whereabouts remain unknown. A missing persons report was not filed until 1998, 25 years after her disappearance. Her family continues to search for answers, and foul play is suspected.
Last Seen: Sep 24, 1973

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing: Tillinghast, Sheryl Ann | New York State Police
  • Sheryl Ann Tillinghast's Case Still Open 44 Years Later - NBC News
  • Sheryl Ann Tillinghast - The Charley Project
  • Sheryl Tillinghast | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • 1500DFNY - Sheryl Ann Tillinghast - Doe Network
  • Woman still seeks sister, last seen in N.Y. in 1973 - USA Today
  • Sheryl Tillinghast - Whereabouts Still Unknown - WordPress.com
  • Sheryl Tillinghast

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

    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.

    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP6805
    Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
    UP6805 • Found May 10, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 16–25 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%80 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"
    Weight 84%115 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — Hackensack, New Jersey
    UP1617 • Found Jul 19, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 84%68 mi away
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"
    Weight 100%137 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — Woodstock, New York
    UP10014 • Found Dec 31, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%33 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 140 lb
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — East Islip, New York
    UP11774 • Found Apr 2, 1978
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 18–22 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%77 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Hoboken, New Jersey - unidentified case UP1454
    Jane Doe — Hoboken, New Jersey
    UP1454 • Found Feb 9, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 24–34 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%77 mi away
    TimingFound 31 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
    Weight 83%166 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Medford, New York
    UP13134 • Found Dec 7, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%74 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 21 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Staten Island, New York - unidentified case UP6955
    Jane Doe — Staten Island, New York
    UP6955 • Found Sep 6, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 77%91 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
    Weight 77%110 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Perth Amboy, New Jersey - unidentified case UP1522
    Jane Doe — Perth Amboy, New Jersey
    UP1522 • Found Apr 10, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 18–25 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 76%97 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'5" vs 5'3"
    Weight 99%125 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5768
    Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
    UP5768 • Found Mar 13, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%80 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 28 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'5" vs 5'3"
    Weight 100%138 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP6124
    Jane Doe — New York, New York
    UP6124 • Found May 8, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%79 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 26 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
    Weight 99%125 lb vs 140 lb
    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.

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Has anyone looked into the connection between Sheryl’s uncashed paychecks and her disappearance? It... ...Read More
    10/03/2024
    Did anyone else find it strange that Sheryl left her paychecks behind? If she was planning to leave... ...Read More
    08/14/2024
    Does anyone else find it odd that Sheryl left her uncashed paychecks behind? That definitely doesn't... ...Read More
    08/01/2023

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