Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP50889) and 3 other sources
Mary Beatrice Nelson was a 44-year-old mother when she vanished from Chicago, Illinois, on September 8, 2008. At the time of her disappearance, her children were in the care of a relative. Described as a Black female with black hair and brown eyes, she stood at 5'8' and weighed approximately 180 pounds. Little information has been made public regarding the specific details of what Mary was doing or who she was with on the day she was last seen. Her case has been complicated by a history of drug use, a factor that authorities have considered in her disappearance.

The investigation into Mary's disappearance is being handled by the Chicago Police Department. Over the years, there has been little movement in her case, and it has since been classified as a cold case. Law enforcement has continued to request that anyone with information regarding Mary's whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding her disappearance come forward. The Cook County Sheriff's Office also lists her as a missing person and has a dedicated team that investigates long-term missing person cases, with a particular focus on women who have been missing for three or more years.

Despite the passage of time, the search for answers continues for Mary's family and investigators. Her case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who disappear under difficult circumstances, leaving behind families who are desperate for resolution. The lack of significant leads has made the investigation challenging, but hope remains that new information will eventually surface. The overview of this case highlights a situation where personal struggles may have intersected with her disappearance, leaving a void of information and a family waiting for answers.

Last Seen: Sep 8, 2008

Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

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.

80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Gary, Indiana
UP15424 • Found Mar 7, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 35–60 vs 44
Race 100%Black
Location 97%21 mi away
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP10833
Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP10833 • Found Jun 16, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 45–70 vs 44 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 52%5'4" vs 5'8"
Weight 76%140 lb vs 180 lb
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP10794 • Found Feb 3, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 53%Est. 18–40 vs 44 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'11" vs 5'8"

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.