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Patricia Hesse Missing Person Case

Last seen in Rutland, Vermont on Nov 9, 1981

Victim Details

May 29, 2020

Jun 2, 2020

Patricia

Hesse

78

34

61 inches

110 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Nov 9, 1981

Rutland

Vermont

Rutland County

05701

No

82462

Rutland Police Department

Rutland

Vermont

Rutland County

05701

108 Wales St., Vermont

8027731816

Local

Law Enforcement

81-13226

Rutland Police Department

8941

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

No

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

View Videos (1)

The Disappearance of Patricia Hesse Vermont Day 1

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP70087) and 12 other sources
Patricia Lee Hesse, age 34, disappeared from Rutland, Vermont, on November 9, 1981. She was last seen shopping at the Rutland Mall that afternoon, where she purchased a fur coat. Later that evening, her landlady discovered food burning on the stove in Patricia’s apartment, with the table set for dinner, but Patricia was nowhere to be found. The fur coat she had just bought was found hanging in her closet. No signs of a struggle or any missing items were observed in her home, leading to a puzzling case of her sudden disappearance.

Patricia had struggled with emotional trauma, particularly after the suicide of her boyfriend in the early 1970s, which deeply affected her. She lived alone at the time of her disappearance, having moved out of her parents' home three years earlier following her mother's death. Despite efforts by her sister Pamela, who conducted her own investigation and believed foul play was involved, Patricia’s case remains unsolved. The police did not initially find any evidence of a crime, and although there were brief moments of attention, including when skeletal remains were discovered in 1987, no conclusive answers have emerged. The remains were later identified as belonging to someone else.

Patricia’s case has remained largely dormant in the decades since her disappearance, with little new information or leads. The Rutland Police Department continues to seek information in the hope of solving this cold case.
Last Seen: Nov 9, 1981

Links to Additional Sources (12)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Patricia Lee Hesse 34 vanished from the room she rented at 81A ...
  • Missing: Patricia Hesse - Unsolved Vermont
  • Patricia Lee Hesse - The Charley Project
  • 35 year-old Patricia Hesse was reported missing to the Rutland City ...
  • 35 year-old Patricia Hesse was... - Vermont State Police - Facebook
  • Patricia Hesse - Whereabouts Still Unknown - WordPress.com
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Missing Person - Unsolved Vermont
  • Patricia Hesse - Newspapers.com™
  • Today marks the anniversary of the disappearance of 35 year-old ...
  • VT - Patricia Hesse, 35, Rutland, 10 Nov 1981 | Websleuths
  • The Disappearance of Patricia Hesse Vermont Day 1 - YouTube

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15800
    Jane Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15800 • Found Sep 13, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 46–48 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 69%130 mi away
    TimingFound 25 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'0" vs 5'1"
    Weight 100%121 lb vs 110 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    I’m curious if anyone knows more about Patricia’s interactions at the Rutland Mall on that day. I’ve... ...Read More
    09/13/2024

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