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Benita Spears Missing Person Case

Last seen in Gary, Indiana on Oct 24, 1989

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Victim Details

Dec 4, 2009

Jul 29, 2022

Benita

Spears

60

23

60 inches

62 inches

95 lbs

100 lbs

Black / African American

Female

Oct 24, 1989

Gary

Indiana

Lake County

1941

Gary Police Department

Gary

Indiana

Lake County

46402

555 Polk Street, Indiana

2198811214

Local

Law Enforcement

09-69071

Gary Police Department

7606

Black

Brown

Brown

Oct 7, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP3841) and 13 other sources
Benita Elizabeth Moore Spears, 23, was last seen on October 24, 1989, in Gary, Indiana. On the day of her disappearance, Benita's mother saw her at Indiana University Northwest, where they were both attending classes. She never returned home, and her family reported her missing the next day. At the time, Benita was a divorced mother of two, working part-time at Inland Steel and studying full-time.

Benita had a history of domestic violence with her ex-husband, Johnny Spears. In 1988, Johnny was convicted of criminal confinement after abducting Benita at gunpoint and taking her across state lines. He was released from jail the night before Benita went missing, making him the prime suspect. Shortly after her disappearance, Johnny was seen driving Benita’s 1981 Oldsmobile Omega, which was later found abandoned in a parking lot in East Chicago. Despite this, he refused to take a polygraph test, and no charges have been filed in connection with her disappearance.

Foul play is strongly suspected in Benita's case, and her ex-husband remains a person of interest. However, despite investigations and searches, Benita has never been found, and her case remains unsolved.
Last Seen: Oct 24, 1989

Links to Additional Sources (13)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Benita Elizabeth Moore Spears - The Charley Project
  • Benita Moore Spears
  • Could Cook County Jane Doe be Benita Spears? : r/gratefuldoe
  • Benita E. Spears Gary Indiana Updated 2 seconds ago Case Report
  • BENITA SPEARS Obituary (2009) - Merrillville
  • Benita Elizabeth Moore Spears - Newspapers.com™
  • Spears
  • BENITA SPEARS Obituary and Online Memorial (2009) - Legacy.com
  • October 24, 1989 Benita Elizabeth Moore Spears was only 23 years ...
  • 23 year old Benita Elizabeth Moore Spears was last seen in Gary ...
  • IN - IN - Benita Moore Spears, 23, Gary, 24 Oct 1989 | Websleuths
  • BENITA SPEARS Obituary - IN - Chicago Tribune

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

    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.

    85%Strong
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP124458
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP124458 • Found Dec 3, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 23
    Race 100%Black
    Location 96%25 mi away
    TimingFound 6 weeks after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'0"–5'2"
    Weight 73%123 lb vs 95–100 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP12976
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP12976 • Found May 24, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 88%Est. 18–22 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 96%25 mi away
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 5'0"–5'2"
    Weight 79%120 lb vs 95–100 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP125566
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP125566 • Found Apr 1, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 97%20 mi away
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'0"–5'2"
    Weight 0%183 lb vs 95–100 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP129017 • Found Jul 9, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 24–34 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 98%19 mi away
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2"–5'8" vs 5'0"–5'2"
    81%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP129001 • Found Apr 16, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 22–30 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 97%20 mi away
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'4"–5'9" vs 5'0"–5'2"
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    81%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP127572 • Found Oct 31, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 96%25 mi away
    TimingFound 12 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 5'0"–5'2"
    Weight 85%117 lb vs 95–100 lb
    80%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP117200
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP117200 • Found Jun 9, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 24–36 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 98%19 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 75%5'0"–5'7" vs 5'0"–5'2"
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP129226 • Found Apr 16, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 96%Est. 35–50 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 99%12 mi away
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2"–5'8" vs 5'0"–5'2"
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP13128 • Found Sep 19, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 26–40 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 96%25 mi away
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'5" vs 5'0"–5'2"
    Weight 100%90 lb vs 95–100 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP117681 • Found Nov 2, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 96%25 mi away
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'0"–5'6" vs 5'0"–5'2"
    Hair 100%Black vs Black

    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.

    Latest News

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Has anyone looked into the circumstances surrounding Johnny Spears' release the night before Benita... ...Read More
    08/23/2024

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