On this day December 20 1984 twelve year old Jonelle Matthews disappeared from her home in Greeley Colorado, launching a long and heartbreaking investigation that lasted decades. She vanished shortly after being dropped off at her house following a school choir performance, and despite extensive searches, no trace of her was found for many years. Her case became one of the most widely followed missing child investigations of the 80s.
In 2019 her remains were discovered nearly fifteen miles from her home, and the cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head. Following new evidence and renewed investigation, Steven Pankey was arrested in 2020 and later sentenced to life in prison. Her case stood as a reminder of how long justice can take and how deeply such tragedies affect communities over time.
80s insight: The disappearance reflected the decade’s rising national concern over missing children and the push for stronger awareness and investigative resources.
In 2019 her remains were discovered nearly fifteen miles from her home, and the cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head. Following new evidence and renewed investigation, Steven Pankey was arrested in 2020 and later sentenced to life in prison. Her case stood as a reminder of how long justice can take and how deeply such tragedies affect communities over time.
80s insight: The disappearance reflected the decade’s rising national concern over missing children and the push for stronger awareness and investigative resources.
