Do you know what happened to Dena? On a warm evening in Tulsa, Oklahoma, sixteen-year-old Dena Ann Dean vanished after leaving her job at a local grocery store on June 6, 1998. Her car was found in the store's parking lot, but there was no sign of Dena. The days that followed were filled with anguish for her family and friends as they anxiously awaited any news. Their worst fears were realized six days later, on June 12, when her decomposed body was discovered in a field by a pond.
The Tulsa Medical Examiner officially ruled her death a homicide.
The investigation into the young woman's death has spanned decades, yet no arrests have been made, leaving a void in the hearts of her loved ones. Suspicion has long hovered over her then-boyfriend, Michael Converse, and his father, Robert Converse. A significant point in the investigation revolves around the claim that Dena had told her boyfriend she was pregnant just days before her disappearance, a claim later found to be untrue by the autopsy. Investigators believe this may have been a motive for her murder. Despite numerous interviews and polygraph tests, which the boyfriend reportedly failed, no charges have ever been filed.
Over the years, the case has seen renewed interest from cold case investigators who have re-examined evidence and interviewed new witnesses. These dedicated detectives have expressed their commitment to solving the case and bringing justice to Dena and her family. Advancements in DNA technology have offered a glimmer of hope, with investigators retesting evidence found at the scene. Though the case remains officially unsolved, the relentless pursuit of the truth by law enforcement and the unwavering hope of her family persist.
