Joan Yarbrough Bernal, 34, vanished from Joliet, Illinois after a last purported sighting on December 9, 1988. Her husband, Gilbert T. Bernal Sr., told investigators the couple had driven toward Texas but that Joan changed her mind; he said he dropped her at a McAlester, Oklahoma bus station with $1,500 and a ticket back to Joliet. No records were found to corroborate that account and there is no evidence she ever returned to Illinois.

The day before the planned trip, witnesses reported a domestic violence incident at the Bernal home in which Gilbert allegedly beat Joan and dragged her toward the back of the house. A son later said he saw an argument through a window, then watched his father grab Joan by the throat and return to the car alone while Joan did not. Other relatives and a former partner of Gilbert described ongoing patterns of abuse.

Joan had scars on her upper lip and both knees from childhood surgeries that left stainless steel screws and wires; she wore contact lenses and was likely wearing a wedding band and a watch when she disappeared. No trace of her has ever been found. Does anyone who knew Joan or the Bernal family have information that could shed light on what happened?