On a Tuesday in the autumn of 1976, a 19-year-old Caucasian woman named Cherry Ann Greenman was released from the Douglas County Jail in Waterville, Washington. That day, September 14th, would be the last time she was ever seen. Described as a free spirit with brown hair, blue eyes, and a small birthmark on her forehead, Cherry was known to hitchhike from state to state.
This nomadic lifestyle, while characteristic of her personality, would tragically complicate the search for her in the years to come.
Despite her frequent travels, Cherry had a pattern of keeping in touch with her family. However, as days turned into weeks and then months with no word, a concerning silence began to grow. Yet, it wouldn't be until 28 years later, in 2004, that she was officially reported as a missing person. This significant delay severely hampered the investigation, as potential evidence grew cold and memories of that day in 1976 faded with the passage of time.
The case of Cherry Ann Greenman remains an unsolved disappearance. To date, there have been no arrests, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The investigation has explored various avenues over the decades, including a potential connection to the serial killer Rodney Alcala. When a photograph found in Alcala's possession was shown to Greenman's family, they confirmed that the person in the picture was not their missing loved one. The King County Sheriff's Office continues to have her case open, leaving her family with unanswered questions about what happened to the young woman who vanished after walking out of the jailhouse doors.
