In the autumn of 1974, in Independence, Missouri, a young mother named Freda Loretta Denman, aged 27, vanished along with her two young children. Her daughter, Sheri Lynn Johnson, was four years old, and her son, Michael Lloyd Johnson, was just ten months old. They were last seen on approximately November 10, 1974, a date suggested by a TV Guide found open in their home to the listings for that Sunday. The family's absence went unnoticed for an alarming amount of time, with their landlord being the one to finally file a missing persons report in March of 1975, after months of unpaid rent. The passage of several months before they were officially reported missing significantly hampered the initial stages of the investigation into their disappearance.
Upon entering the family's residence in the 100 block of East Kansas Avenue, investigators were met with a scene that was both ordinary and ominous.
While Freda's clothing and personal items remained in her closet, the belongings of her husband and children were gone. More disturbingly, bloodstains were discovered on a living room cushion, a chair, a shirt, and a pair of men's socks. In the 1970s, forensic capabilities were limited, and though the FBI examined the blood evidence, the results were inconclusive, leaving investigators unable to determine its origin. Suspicion quickly fell upon Freda's husband, Henry Lee Harbison, who was also known by the alias Michael Johnson. Harbison had a significant criminal history and there was an active warrant for his arrest at the time of his family's disappearance. Theories surrounding the family's fate began to diverge, with some of Harbison's known associates from a group called the 'Church of the New Song' claiming that the entire family had been murdered. In contrast, Freda's own family held the tragic belief that Freda had been killed and her children had been given away.
The investigation into the disappearances of Freda Denman and her children has been marked by periods of activity and long stretches of dormancy. Initially, both the Independence Police Department and the FBI were involved in the case. However, a critical miscommunication led the local police to close their file, believing the FBI would be taking the lead on the investigation, which did not happen. The case lay cold for many years until it was officially reopened in 2004, largely due to the persistent efforts of concerned individuals who refused to let the family be forgotten. The circumstances surrounding what happened to Freda, Sheri, and Michael remain unclear, and their cases are still considered unsolved. The lack of definitive evidence and the passage of time have created a complex and heart-wrenching mystery that continues to endure. The central question of whether Harbison fled with his family or was responsible for their demise remains unanswered, leaving a void in the lives of their loved ones and a lingering question in the community.Last Seen: Nov 10, 1974
