There is always hope. Even in these old cases. They can be solved. DNA, advancemens in science, better detective work. It can happen. Just prayin it does for Brenda

Brenda Sue Bottoms was 22 and living with her mother and young son when she disappeared from Auburn, Illinois. On the evening of June 29, 1987, she and a female friend walked from their North 5th Street residence to a nearby tavern. After leaving the tavern the two encountered two men and then went to an apartment complex in the 200 block of North 5th Street to talk.

Witnesses say Brenda got into a brown car with dents on the passenger side; she appeared to know at least two male occupants and entered the vehicle voluntarily. She never returned. A witness who saw her get into that car was interviewed repeatedly by law enforcement. Over the years multiple persons of interest have been identified but no suspects have been named and the investigation remained open.

In 2025 the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office conducted new interviews and believes there may be additional people who saw Brenda just before she vanished and who could have important information. Did anyone in Auburn in June 1987 see Brenda, the damaged brown car, or remember who was in it?