In the fall of 1985, 38-year-old Vernette Lorraine Wester, a recently divorced mother of five, was embarking on a new chapter in her life in Tempe, Arizona. She was taking classes and had started a new relationship. However, this period of hopeful transition took a dark turn on November 21, 1985, when Vernette vanished. She was last seen at her ex-husband's residence in Tempe while running errands in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Following this last sighting, all communication from Vernette ceased, and she was never seen or heard from again, leaving her family, including her five children, in a state of perpetual uncertainty. The days following her disappearance only deepened the mystery and concern for her well-being.
Five days after she was last seen, Vernette's white 1979 Chevrolet Chevette was discovered abandoned just three blocks from her ex-husband's home. The state of the vehicle raised immediate red flags for investigators. While her errand list and recently purchased gifts were found inside the car, her purse, keys, and identification were missing. A particularly unsettling detail was the displacement of a pillow she used to prop herself up while driving; it had been moved from the driver's seat to the passenger seat, suggesting someone else may have driven the car. The marriage between Vernette and her ex-husband, Bruce Wester, was described as abusive, and their recent divorce had been contentious. Vernette had reportedly expressed fear of her ex-husband to her children.
Despite the passage of time, the investigation into Vernette's disappearance has remained open, with foul play strongly suspected from the beginning. Bruce Wester was consistently considered a person of interest in the case, though he was never charged. He was reportedly uncooperative with the police investigation. In 2010, a new witness prompted authorities to execute a search warrant on Bruce's home, but the search did not lead to an arrest. Tragically, Vernette Wester was declared legally dead in 1992, and her ex-husband passed away in 2016, taking any potential knowledge of her fate with him. The case remains a painful and unresolved mystery for Vernette's children, who continue to hope for answers and closure in the disappearance of their mother.Last Seen: Nov 22, 1985
