Mary Elizabeth Stuart, 32, and her two daughters, Fannie and Jessie, vanished from Honeydew, California, on December 10, 1977. They left that morning in a red Opel station wagon to run errands, including a television repair shop and possibly an optometrist, with about $200 for the day. They were expected home before dark but never returned; a friend reported them missing three days later.

About a month after the disappearance the family car was found abandoned on an old logging road a few miles from the home. The Opel held groceries, laundry, and the repaired television, yet there was no sign of Mary or the girls. The road was not part of their usual route but would have led back toward their house.

Suspicion has focused on Mary’s husband, Byron Stuart, because of reported violent tendencies and erratic behavior after the family disappeared, but no charges were ever filed. The case remained unsolved as of the latest renewed investigation in 2009; foul play is suspected.

If anyone knew Mary, Fannie, or Jessie, or remembers seeing that red Opel in December 1977, can you share what you recall?