MOBERLY, MO. -- Update: Friday, May 6 at 4:20 p.m.
New leads are helping Moberly Police with a 17-year-old missing person case.
Hazel Hess, 56, was last seen by her daughter on June 30, 1994.
Despite the passage of time, investigators say this case was never closed and remains an active investigation.
About a year ago, Moberly investigators met with a group of retired cold case investigators from Green Bay, Wisconsin to help them solve the mystery behind the disappearance of Hazel Hess. The Wisconsin investigators operate a private organization that helps with unsolved crimes across the United States. Moberly Police followed up on a lead from the Wisconsin investigators this week by using cadaver dogs to search for Hess’ body in several wooded areas near Moberly.
Family members last saw Hazel Hess in her home at 821 West Reed Street. Since the moment of her disappearance, investigators have suspected foul play.
Investigators found blood in Hess’ bedroom at the time of her disappearance. Her bed sheet and comforter were missing. Authorities have questioned more than 100 people. They’re hoping more people come forward now that we have reports of Hess’ missing body in some nearby woods.
Moberly Police Commander Kevin Palmatory said, “We’re hoping that it may jog someone’s memory of what they have seen or heard, at some point since the day that she was reported missing. We asking people that if they have anything to come forward. It may not have any significance to them, but it could be that one little piece of information that we need.”
Investigators have some physical evidence that indicates foul play. They didn’t release any details. They also didn’t say what, if anything was found during their 3 hour search in several wooded areas.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Moberly Police Department at 660-269-TIPS.
Original Story:
Moberly Police are working on a 17-year-old cold case.
Hazel Hess, 56, was last seen by her daughter June 30, 1994. Today police searched a wooded area. Officers included member of the Missouri Region C Technical Rescue Team and specially trained dogs.
Hess, a mother of six worked at a restaurant when she went missing. At first authorities did not suspect foul play, but archives from the Columbia Daily Tribune newspaper indicate police later questioned 100 people in the case. A missing persons flyer from the Missouri Highway Patrol says personal belongings were left behind but Hazel Hess's bedsheet and comforter were gone and there was blood at the scene.
http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/DDCC/Units/MissingPersonsJuvenileUnit/Documents/HessHazelflyer10-08_000.pdf
One of those questioned was the woman's upstairs neighbor Larry Hayes. Hess and Hayes lived in an apartment building on West Reed Road in Moberly.
Two years after her disappearance Hayes shot and wounded Columbia Police officer Shelly Jones in the parking lot of a Gerbes grocery store. Jones survived and is still on the force. Hayes is still in prison.
He was never charged in connection with Hess' disappearance.
Police did not reveal what was found in Thursday's search but they are asking the public for new tips in the case. You can remain anonymous and call the Moberly crime tips line at 660-269-TIPS.
Below we've posted links to stories from the time that Hazel Hess disappeared, and a plea from one of her daughters for helping in finding her mother.
http://archive.columbiatribune.com/1996/feb/19960204news07.htm
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/moberly-mo/TO8V4ITO6S7F57GPT