Wendy Gessing, a 50-year-old woman from Crest Hill, Illinois, disappeared on June 12, 2021. She was last seen at her place of employment, Pizza by Marchelloni, which was owned by her boyfriend of 14 years, Scott Harris. Gessing was reportedly leaving during her shift at approximately 6:30 PM to give an acquaintance a ride. She was expected to return shortly but never did. At the time of her disappearance, she lived with her boyfriend and her adult son, Josh, just a short distance from the pizzeria. Gessing was known for her volunteer work at a local food pantry and was described by neighbors as friendly and pleasant. She has several distinctive tattoos, including a sugar skull on her left forearm, flowers on her left wrist, and a Celtic cross on her right shoulder.
The investigation into Wendy Gessing's disappearance has involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Crest Hill Police Department, the Will County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI. A few days after she was reported missing, her gray Honda CRV was found abandoned in the 400 block of Buell Avenue in Joliet. Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered her wallet, which contained her credit cards, and a key card for a Motel 6. Her cell phone was later recovered in Romeoville, in the vicinity of Taylor Road. Despite initial reports of a possible sighting of Gessing at the Motel 6, her boyfriend and a manager at the motel reviewed the surveillance footage and did not believe the woman in the video was her. There has been no activity on her bank accounts or social media since she vanished.
Over the course of the investigation, authorities have executed numerous search warrants, searched multiple geographic locations, and collected nearly 200 items of physical evidence. In June 2025, police announced they had identified a person of interest in the case, an individual known to be involved in the drug scene and who frequented the area where Gessing's car was found. This person had reportedly been in contact with Gessing for about a month before she disappeared. Law enforcement has stated that Gessing's family and boyfriend have been cooperative and are not considered suspects. Despite extensive searches and an ongoing investigation, Wendy Gessing's whereabouts remain unknown, and the case continues to be an active and open investigation. The police have indicated they believe it is likely she is no longer alive.
Last Seen: Jun 12, 2021
