Sheila Cooks was 18 when she was last seen in Austin, Texas, on May 16, 1979. She left her family home to attend a meeting with her probation officer after calling her sister for a ride; when a ride wasn’t available, Sheila walked the roughly two-and-a-half miles to the appointment. She arrived for the meeting but did not return home.

Sheila was one of ten children in a close-knit family. Her mother had been cooking Sheila’s favorite meal that day and was stunned when Sheila never came back to eat it. Family members have long said they do not believe Sheila left of her own accord and suspect she may have been harmed, possibly by someone she knew.

The Austin Police Department treats the disappearance as an active cold case. If anyone knew Sheila, saw her on or after May 16, 1979, or has information about her last movements, please share what is known.