In the early summer of 2011, a 58-year-old woman named Ivy Mantell vanished from Yonkers, New York. She was last seen on June 9, 2011, in the Getty Square area of the city. Ivy, a mother who was deeply devoted to her autistic son, was navigating a difficult period in her life. She was experiencing homelessness and was known to frequent local shelters. A distinctive figure, she was often seen with a small rolling suitcase and sometimes a shopping cart. Physically, she was described as a Hispanic and White/Caucasian female, standing at five feet three to four inches tall and weighing between 105 and 125 pounds. She had brown hair, brown eyes, and noticeable scars on her nose and over her eyebrow. Due to health issues, she walked with the assistance of a cane.
Ivy’s life before her disappearance was marked by significant personal challenges.
The strain of raising her autistic son alone had taken a toll on her mental health, and she struggled with depression, anxiety, and alcoholism. Her son was eventually placed in an institutional home, a situation that deeply pained her. Despite her circumstances, Ivy remained in Yonkers to be near him, visiting regularly and fearing she would lose her parental rights if she moved away. She had a sister in Queens who she was in contact with, but her transient lifestyle in Yonkers was a way to maintain her connection with her son. Ivy was also a past victim of severe domestic violence, having been hospitalized after a beating by a former partner who was subsequently jailed.
The weeks following June 9, 2011, turned into a period of agonizing silence for Ivy’s family. After not hearing from her for five weeks, she was officially reported missing on July 16, 2011. An investigation was launched by the Yonkers Police Department, but the case quickly grew cold. Searches were conducted in abandoned buildings, wooded areas, and even the river, but no trace of Ivy was found. Her social service cards and a government-issued cellphone went unused, and there was no activity on any financial accounts. Her boyfriend at the time of her disappearance was reportedly uncooperative with the investigation. The case, which began as a missing person report, evolved into a possible homicide investigation, with her family and law enforcement believing that foul play was a strong possibility. Despite the passage of time, Ivy Mantell's case remains unsolved, leaving her loved ones without answers about what happened to her. The family has offered a reward for information leading to the location of her body, clinging to the hope that one day they will find closure.Last Seen: Jun 9, 2011
