Molly Dattilo, a 23-year-old college student, was last seen on July 6, 2004, in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the time of her disappearance, Molly was living with her brother while taking summer courses at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Originally from Madison, Indiana, Molly was an accomplished student and athlete, known for her academic excellence and participation in track and field at Eastern Kentucky University.
She was also preparing to audition for *American Idol* later that summer.
On the day of her disappearance, Molly dropped off a job application at a local Wendy’s and made various preparations for school and personal projects. Later that evening, around 11:00 p.m., she placed a call to a friend from a payphone at a Thornton's gas station, but the call was abruptly disconnected. This would be the last time anyone heard from her. When her brother realized she hadn’t returned home by July 8, he reported her missing. All of Molly’s personal belongings, including her phone, identification, and bank cards, were found at her brother’s apartment, leading to suspicions of foul play.
John Shelton, a man she met through mutual friends, was the last known person to have been with her. They reportedly went on a boat ride and had dinner together before visiting the gas station. In 2010, Molly’s family won a civil suit against Shelton and his father, who were found liable for her wrongful death, though no criminal charges were filed due to lack of evidence. Molly was declared legally dead in 2017, but her case remains unsolved, and authorities continue to treat it as a homicide investigation.Last Seen: Jul 6, 2004
