Shirley Gertrude Pullen, a 69-year-old woman, was last seen on December 31, 1986. Her day began in her hometown of South Bend, Indiana, where she was seen by her hairdresser at a Save Mart store. During their conversation, Shirley mentioned she was planning to host a New Year's Eve party at her home in Niles, Michigan, later that evening. It is believed that she did return to her residence in the Windward Village Mobile Home Park, located on South 13th Street.
However, after that point, she was never seen or heard from again. Shirley was an insulin-dependent diabetic and may have been experiencing dementia at the time of her disappearance. She had graying brown hair, brown eyes, pierced ears, and sometimes wore a brown or blonde wig.
It wasn't until January 12, 1987, that concerns for Shirley's welfare were officially raised. The manager of the mobile home park reported her missing after noticing she had not paid her rent on the first of the month, which was her usual custom, nor had she been seen taking her daily walks. When investigators entered her mobile home, they found a scene that suggested she had left in a hurry but had intended to return. The television was on, and a half-eaten sandwich, which had since spoiled, was left out alongside a cigarette that had burned down to its filter in an ashtray. There were no signs of a struggle, and all of her personal belongings, including her coat, luggage, and car, were left behind.
The investigation into Shirley's disappearance remained without significant leads until the early 1990s. A neighbor came forward stating that on the day Shirley went missing, she had witnessed her arguing with two men outside her mobile home. One of these men was identified as a man who rented another mobile home from Shirley. When questioned, this tenant denied seeing Shirley on the day she disappeared. He claimed a $500 check he received from her dated December 30, 1986, was a holiday gift. However, it was discovered that this same man had used Shirley's credit card twice after she went missing, on January 11 and January 16, 1987. Despite the suspicious circumstances and the belief by police that foul play was involved, no one has ever been charged in her disappearance. The case was reopened in 2008, with investigators believing multiple individuals were involved in her disappearance and probable murder. One person of interest, who was a juvenile at the time, committed suicide after being questioned by police. The case remains an overview of a woman who vanished from her home under puzzling circumstances, leaving behind all her possessions and a life that seemed to have been interrupted unexpectedly on the last day of the year.Last Seen: Dec 31, 1986
