Essie Margarette Hiett, 47, disappeared after leaving her shift as a bartender and hostess at a cardroom in Oroville, California, on February 13, 1978. She was seen driving her brown 1975 Oldsmobile Toronado between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. en route home but never arrived. Her car was found the same day abandoned and wrecked in a ditch on Palermo-Honeycut Road about a mile from her residence. Clothes and personal items were scattered near the vehicle, yet there was no sign of Essie.

At the time she vanished she was wearing a green blouse with a woman’s face on it, white pants and a tan jacket, and she had a wedding ring set, earrings and glasses. Investigators have long suspected foul play. A potential connection to Deborah Owens was explored in 2015 but later ruled out. The case remains open and investigators are seeking information.

If anyone remembers Essie, saw her Toronado that morning, or has information about Palermo-Honeycut Road around February 13, 1978, please contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.