On December 27, 1983, 68-year-old Julia H. Stoddard was seen for the last time, attempting to dig her pickup truck out of the snow at her rural home in Delavan, Kansas. A few days later, concerned neighbors, noticing that her truck had not moved, alerted the authorities. When police arrived at her property, they found no trace of Julia. What they did discover were approximately 100 dogs that she cared for, a task that had earned her the nickname "the Dog Lady." Her large brown leather
purse, which she was known to always carry, was missing. However, her cane, another item she was rarely without, was found near her truck in the yard.
Julia was a woman who largely kept to herself, described as intelligent and a passionate reader. Having retired from her civil service job at Fort Riley, she moved to the two-acre property three miles northwest of Delavan. She was a divorced woman with no children and had infrequent contact with her relatives. Her home was a private sanctuary, as she never permitted anyone to enter. Julia's great passion was rescuing stray dogs, often picking them up along U.S. Highway 77. She knew each of her many dogs by name and would even contact the police if one of them went missing. Despite her eccentric lifestyle, her neighbors considered her to be a harmless member of the community. The conditions inside her home, however, were challenging, as she lived without many basic amenities.
Investigators have considered several theories regarding Julia's disappearance. One possibility is that she may have succumbed to the harsh winter elements while trying to walk to a nearby airfield to use the phone or get water, a trip she often made. However, no remains have ever been discovered to support this theory. Another grim suggestion was that her dogs may have been involved, but no evidence has ever substantiated this idea. The discovery of her house key, still attached to a piece of her coat, behind her truck added another layer of mystery to the case. Foul play has been suspected in her disappearance, though no concrete evidence has emerged. Ultimately, the case of Julia H. Stoddard remains an unsolved and poignant mystery, leaving behind questions about the final moments of the woman known for her deep compassion for animals.Last Seen: Dec 27, 1983
