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 (MP8603) and 5 other sources
Cathy Cole Sampson, a 39-year-old woman, went missing on August 27, 1985, from Paris, Texas. At the time, she was preparing to move and had left her home to pick up boxes from a local convenience store. She never returned, and after several hours, her 12-year-old daughter called a family friend for help. The friend found Sampson’s purple 1985 Pontiac at a roadside park along U.S. 82. Her purse, its contents, and valuable work equipment were found inside the car, but there were no signs of a struggle.

Cathy had recently relocated to Paris from Dallas, where she lived alone with her daughter. She had been working as a service technician for General Electric Medical Services at the time of her disappearance. Known as a devoted mother, it is highly unlikely she would have left her child willingly. Foul play is strongly suspected, although no solid leads have surfaced over the years.

Despite extensive investigations, including the exclusion of several unidentified remains, Sampson’s case remains unsolved. Authorities continue to search for answers, hoping to bring closure to her family.

Last Seen: Aug 27, 1985

Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

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.

84%Moderate
Jane Doe — Garland, Texas
UP105328 • Found Dec 5, 1985
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 39
Race 100%White
Location 80%81 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%126 lb vs 130–140 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Jane Doe — Garland, Texas - unidentified case UP4089
Jane Doe — Garland, Texas
UP4089 • Found Oct 3, 1987
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 35–40 vs 39 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 80%82 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 80%167 lb vs 130–140 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Sherman, Texas
UP16315 • Found Feb 3, 2017
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 39 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%58 mi away, same state
TimingFound 31 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'6" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%110–120 lb vs 130–140 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Hillsboro, Texas - unidentified case UP104771
Jane Doe — Hillsboro, Texas
UP104771 • Found Jan 20, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 95%Est. 40–50 vs 39
Race 100%White
Location 66%146 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 68%5'4" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 130–140 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

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.