Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Mary Friend missing person case profile photo

Mary Friend Missing Person Case

Last seen in Gore, West Virginia on Dec 1, 1999

Victim Details

Dec 12, 2008

Mar 6, 2020

Mary

Friend

71

45

62 inches

130 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Dec 1, 1999

Gore

West Virginia

Lewis County

No

19608

Lewis County Sheriff’s Department

Weston

West Virginia

Lewis County

26452

Adam Gissy

Sheriff

117 Court Avenue, West Virginia

3042698251

County

Law Enforcement

http://www.lewiscountywv.org/shindex.html

199910313

Lewis County Sheriff’s Department

5096

Brown

Brown

Brown

Sep 21, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP413) and 14 other sources
Mary Friend, a 45-year-old woman from Gore, West Virginia, was reported missing on December 1, 1999. Known for her caring nature and strong connections within her community, Mary’s sudden disappearance raised immediate alarms among family and friends. She was last seen in the Gore area, and the circumstances surrounding her vanishing prompted urgent search efforts from those who cared about her.

In the days following her disappearance, Mary’s family and friends quickly organized to search for her. They distributed flyers and utilized local media to raise awareness about her case, hoping to gather any information regarding her whereabouts. Local law enforcement became involved, launching an investigation that included interviews with acquaintances and thorough searches of nearby locations. However, despite these diligent efforts, initial searches did not yield significant leads, increasing the anxiety and distress felt by her loved ones.

As weeks turned into months without credible sightings or substantial evidence, the investigation faced significant challenges. The lack of clear information complicated efforts to determine what had happened to Mary, leaving her family increasingly desperate for answers. They continued to advocate for her case, emphasizing the importance of keeping her story alive through community outreach and media coverage.

Over the years, Mary Friend's case has remained open, drawing attention from local media and organizations dedicated to missing persons. Her family has worked tirelessly to maintain awareness of her disappearance, holding vigils and community events to honor her memory. Despite the ongoing uncertainty, they remain hopeful that new leads will eventually emerge, bringing them closer to understanding the truth behind Mary’s mysterious disappearance.
Last Seen: Dec 1, 1999

Links to Additional Sources (14)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Reward offered in 1999 W.Va. missing persons case | Archives ...
  • Mary Geneva Friend - The Charley Project
  • 20-year-anniversary of two missing LC women; still considered to be ...
  • Missing Mary: A Look At The Oldest Unsolved Cold Case In Texas
  • Mary Alice Gore Obituary 2023 - Thomas Funeral Home
  • 2 charged in 1999 disappearance of 2 W.Va. women | News ...
  • Capt. Gore: It broke my heart | SummitDaily.com
  • Al Gore - Wikipedia
  • Michaela DePrince's Mother Dies Unexpectedly 1 Day After Famed ...
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP413 - Office of Justice Programs
  • Mary Friend | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • It is 20-year-anniversary since 69- year-old mother Maxine Stalnaker ...
  • Mary Friend, 45, & Marcus Stalnaker, 69, 1 Dec 1999 - Websleuths
  • Mary Geneva Friend and her mother, Marcus Maxine Stalnaker ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    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.

    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP2721
    Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    UP2721 • Found Jan 12, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 45
    Race 100%White
    Location 46%292 mi away
    TimingFound 6 weeks after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'2"
    Weight 74%160 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    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.

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (2)

    Has anyone looked into the environmental conditions around Gore when Mary Friend went missing? I... ...Read More
    06/21/2024
    Hi everyone, I’ve been following the Mary Friend case for a while now, and something that really... ...Read More
    08/14/2023

    Other Missing Cases from Gore, West Virginia

    Marcus Stalnaker missing person case in Gore, West Virginia

    Marcus Stalnaker

    Missing: Dec 1, 1999
    In the winter of 1999, a 69-year-old woman named Marcus "Maxine" Stalnaker vanished from her home in ...Read More