Linda Hatfield, a 31-year-old woman from Middleton, Idaho, was last seen on May 29, 1984, after finishing her shift at the Hunt Club in Garden City. A bouncer escorted her to her vehicle and watched her drive off toward her home. Around 2 a.m., witnesses in Middleton reported seeing Linda’s T-Bird parked alongside another vehicle in the street and overheard an argument between a man and a woman. By 8:30 a.m., Linda’s car was discovered abandoned in a parking lot on South Curtis Road in Boise, but she had not yet been reported missing.
Her husband officially reported her missing on June 1, prompting law enforcement agencies to process her vehicle. By June 4, investigators had gathered enough evidence to reclassify the case from a missing person investigation to a homicide. In November 1984, Linda’s wallet and credit cards were recovered from the drained New York Canal. Three years later, in June 1987, the courts ruled that there was clear and convincing evidence that Linda was deceased.
A potential lead emerged in 1988 when a man informed authorities that Linda had recently come into some money and may have been targeted for robbery. One primary suspect was Cary Burgess, a frequent visitor to the Hunt Club. On the night of Linda’s disappearance, Burgess arrived at a family member’s house between 2 and 3 a.m., covered in mud, appearing manic, and in possession of a woman’s wedding ring set. Just weeks later, on July 6, 1984, Burgess abducted and raped a woman in Boise, leading to his conviction. He later died in prison in 2001 due to a terminal illness.
Despite decades of investigation, Linda’s remains have never been found. Detectives continue to seek information regarding her missing wedding ring set, the location of her remains, and any details about the night she vanished. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office has reopened the case, reanalyzing evidence in hopes of uncovering new clues. Authorities encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Last Seen: May 30, 1984
