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Josephine Despard Missing Person Case

Last seen in Olean, New York on Feb 7, 1984

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Victim Details

Mar 9, 2010

Aug 18, 2023

Josephine

Despard

68

26

62 inches

100 lbs

102 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Feb 7, 1984

Olean

New York

Cattaraugus County

14760

2088

City of Olean Police Department

Olean

New York

Cattaraugus County

14760

Ron Richardson

Chief

101 East State Street, New York

7163765678

Local

Law Enforcement

https://cityofolean.org/departments/police/

OL-00662-06

City of Olean Police Department

Black

Brown

Brown

Oct 7, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP5381) and 11 other sources
Josephine Despard, a 26-year-old woman from Olean, New York, was last seen on February 7, 1984. Despard, a young mother and active member of her community, disappeared under mysterious circumstances that have left her family searching for answers for decades. On the day of her disappearance, Despard was reportedly seen leaving her home, but she never returned. When she failed to make contact with her family or friends, her loved ones reported her missing, sparking a thorough investigation.

The initial investigation focused on retracing Despard’s last known movements, with law enforcement conducting searches and interviewing family members, friends, and acquaintances. Despite their efforts, no significant clues or leads emerged. Investigators found no immediate signs of foul play or evidence that could explain her sudden disappearance. Despard’s routine life, combined with her role as a mother, made her vanishing all the more perplexing.

As time passed, the case grew cold, and Despard’s family continued to push for answers. Public appeals were made, and missing person flyers were distributed in hopes of generating new information, but no breakthroughs were made. Decades later, Josephine Despard's disappearance remains unsolved, leaving her family without the closure they desperately seek. The case remains open, and authorities continue to encourage anyone with knowledge of her whereabouts to come forward, hoping that new evidence or leads will finally provide answers to the mystery of her disappearance.
Last Seen: Feb 7, 1984

Links to Additional Sources (11)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Olean police continue investigating Josephine Despard's ...
  • Police hope cold case podcast on Josephine Despard will jog ...
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP5381
  • 1778DFNY - Josephine Doris Despard - Doe Network
  • Josephine Doris Despard - The Charley Project
  • The DoeNetwork - Josephine Despard, missing since 2-7-84
  • On Tuesday, February 7th, 1984 Josephine "Josie" Despard left her ...
  • Police receive letter about 34-year-old missing persons case
  • The 34 year old mystery of Josephine Doris Cottone Despard and ...
  • 40 years since Olean woman's disappearance | News
  • JOSEPHINE... - WNY Missing & Unidentified Persons - Facebook

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

    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.

    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — New York
    UP13043 • Found Jun 22, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 88%Est. 20–25 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%86 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 5'2"
    Weight 100%104 lb vs 100–102 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Pennsylvania
    UP6584 • Found Sep 22, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 15–30 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%19 mi away
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen

    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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Josephine Despard was 26 and living in Olean, New York, when she was last seen on February 7, 1984.... ...Read More
    10/21/2023

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