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Jennifer Barton Missing Person Case

Last seen in Austin, Texas on May 16, 1976

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Victim Details

Dec 12, 2008

Jan 12, 2024

Jennifer

Barton

70

20

66 inches

68 inches

120 lbs

140 lbs

Black / African American

Female

May 16, 1976

Austin

Texas

Travis County

6775

Austin Police Department

Austin

Texas

Travis County

78748

Richard Faithful

Detective

715 East 8th Street, Texas

5129745250

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.austintexas.gov/department/police

76-1424808

Austin Police Department

4010

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 1, 2026


Area Last Seen:

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21: Jennifer Joyce Barton

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP909) and 8 other sources
Jennifer Joyce Barton, age 20, was last seen on May 16, 1976, in Austin, Texas. She was planning to go to the movies with a friend, but they stopped at a bar near East 11th Street and Waller Street to try to get some money. There, Jennifer spoke with two men and was later seen getting into a brown or tan van with California license plates. Witnesses saw the van driving away, but Jennifer was never heard from again.

At the time of her disappearance, Jennifer was known to be struggling with personal issues, including the recent murder of her pimp and a break-in at her apartment. Despite these challenges, there were no clear leads on her whereabouts. Jennifer's case is one of several missing women from Austin in 1976, and while police have speculated that the cases may be connected, no definitive links have been established.

Authorities continue to suspect foul play in her disappearance, and her case remains unsolved after more than four decades. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Austin Police Department.
Last Seen: May 16, 1976

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Austin woman missing for 47 years; nonprofit brings awareness to ...
  • Jennifer Barton: A Warning that Shouldn't Have Been Ignored with ...
  • Jennifer Joyce Barton - The Charley Project
  • Austin woman missing for 47 years
  • The Doe Network | #missing Jennifer Joyce Barton, Austin, Texas
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP909
  • The DoeNetwork -
  • J.J. Barton | International Missing Persons Wiki

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

    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.

    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
    UP4620 • Found Aug 7, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 20–25 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 66%146 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'8"
    Weight 100%130 lb vs 120–140 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP3737
    Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
    UP3737 • Found Apr 29, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 66%146 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"–5'8"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 120–140 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
    UP4664 • Found Feb 11, 1978
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 15–25 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 66%146 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 21 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'8"

    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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Jennifer Joyce Barton, 20, was last seen May 16, 1976, in Austin, Texas. She intended to go to the... ...Read More
    03/26/2024

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