Mary Jimmie Bobo Shinn, 25, disappeared from Magnolia, Arkansas after arranging to pick up a man who wanted to trade land for a house she was trying to sell. On July 19, 1978 she showed the property; on July 20 the same man called about 11:00 a.m. and Bobo agreed to give him a ride because his car was reportedly in the shop. That pickup was the last time anyone is known to have seen her.

Her blue 1976 Buick Special was later found behind Smitty’s Grocery, unlocked with keys in the ignition and her purse still inside with cash. Her white tennis shoes were discovered under the brake pedal, the address book from her purse was missing, and the car had scratches and hay and grass inside consistent with being driven off-road. Witnesses later described a man seen at an E-Z Mart and a vehicle swerving as if there had been a struggle; a composite sketch was made of a white male in his mid-20s.

Foul play is highly suspected and the case remains active with Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Arkansas State Police. If anyone knew Mary, the man she met that day, or saw a car like hers near Magnolia in July 1978, please come forward with information.