Janice M. Moats, 28, was last seen by family and friends in Lewistown, Fulton County, Illinois, on January 1, 1980. A Kentucky native who had made a life in the area, she was described as a white female with red or auburn hair, blue eyes, standing between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 7 inches, and weighing about 140 to 145 pounds. No communication from her followed, and her disappearance was out of character.

A missing persons report was not filed with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office until February 9, 1982. From the start investigators suspected she had not gone voluntarily and the case was officially treated as involving foul play. Years later her name was considered during an investigation of unidentified human remains in the area, but forensic testing showed those remains were not hers.

The investigation remains active but few public details about leads or suspects have been released. If anyone knew Janice, saw her around January 1, 1980, or has information that could help, please come forward.