Cheryl Bailous was 15 when her body was recovered from Alum Creek near the northern end of Nelson Park in Columbus, Ohio, on December 17, 1983. She was pronounced dead on arrival. Her death remains undetermined and the case is classified as an unsolved homicide.

It is unclear how Cheryl ended up in the river; investigators have not released a cause of death that explains the circumstances. The Columbus Police Department, with assistance from the Ohio Attorney General’s office, continues to seek information and pursue leads in the case.

If anyone has information about Cheryl Bailous, her movements on or before December 17, 1983, or about activity near Alum Creek and Nelson Park at that time, please contact the Columbus Police Department.