Cora Ann Okonski, 23, was last seen on April 16, 2000, at her home in Tama, Iowa. She had moved to Tama from Chicago, Illinois, about a year prior to her disappearance and was working as a waitress at the King Tower Cafe. At the time, she was living with her fiancé, Tait Otis Purk, and her two-year-old son. Purk reported her missing on April 18, 2000, two days after he claimed she left their residence to buy cigarettes and never came back.
Okonski's family stated that it was uncharacteristic of her to abandon her child.
The relationship between Okonski and Purk was reportedly troubled. In 1999, Purk had been charged with domestic assault against Okonski, who had obtained a no-contact order against him. They later reconciled, and the order was canceled. Just before she vanished, a friend of Okonski's testified that she had expressed fear that Purk would kill her. On the day of her disappearance, Okonski had allegedly told a neighbor that she and Purk had been fighting and that she was scared.
For years, Okonski's case remained a cold case, though investigators suspected foul play. A significant break came when authorities began investigating her disappearance as a homicide in 2016. In December of that year, Tait Otis Purk, who was incarcerated on unrelated federal drug and weapons charges, was charged with her murder.
Purk's trial in May 2017 brought forth key testimonies. Two witnesses, who had been incarcerated with Purk, testified that he had confessed to killing Okonski. One witness claimed Purk said he killed her to prevent her from reporting a truck theft and convenience store burglary to the police. Another inmate testified that Purk admitted to "choke-slamming" Okonski during an argument, accidentally breaking her neck. Evidence also suggested a history of physical abuse, including instances of Purk choking Okonski into unconsciousness during arguments.
Despite the lack of a body, Purk was convicted of second-degree murder, largely based on the testimony of his former fellow inmates. His conviction was initially overturned in August 2017 due to a lack of direct physical evidence. However, in a second trial in December 2017, this time before a judge, Purk was again found guilty and sentenced to 50 years in prison. Though her body has never been found, Okonski's family believes she is deceased due to the prolonged lack of contact. The disappearance also led to the stoppage of her Social Security disability payments, which she had been receiving.Last Seen: Apr 16, 2000
