Sharon Hensley was 24 when her family last had contact with her in February 1973. At that time she was with her boyfriend, William Felix Vail Sr., and told family she planned to travel by boat from Florida to South America with friends. She had ties to Sulphur, Louisiana, and was also known to be in Florida. Her family did not realize she was missing until March 1974, and a formal missing person’s report was not filed for more than three decades.

Accounts from Vail about what happened to Hensley conflict. He first told her family she left him in Key West to join an Australian couple named John and Vanessa, then later gave their names as Frank and Sally. He also at times said she boarded a bus bound for Mexico. Hensley has not been seen or heard from since 1973. Foul play is suspected and her disappearance is listed as a suspected homicide; Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate.

Does anyone have information about Sharon’s time in Florida or anyone who knew her and Vail in 1973?