Katherine Joy Allen was 42 and living at the Ahwahnee Motel on East Colfax Avenue in Denver in early summer 1996 when she vanished. Struggling with alcohol and a crack cocaine addiction that began in the 1980s, she had lost custody of her three children but remained in contact with them. Family members say she was afraid in the days before she disappeared; on June 2, 1996, she told a relative she was in danger because someone was after her over stolen drugs.

Family last heard from Katherine on or around June 12, 1996. She had promised to attend a daughter’s high school graduation later in June but did not appear. Katherine was reported missing on June 23, 1996, and entered into the NCIC. She is described as a Black female, brown hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 2 inches, about 115 pounds, with a scar near her right eye and a mole on her right cheek. Her children believe she was murdered and say people know what happened; law enforcement has considered foul play and the investigation remains open.

If anyone knew Katherine, saw her in Denver in June 1996, or has information about her whereabouts, please share what is known.