Fifteen-year-old Joyce Irene Cogburn and her sixteen-year-old sister Josephine disappeared from Norman, Oklahoma, on October 2, 1983. The sisters had been placed in the apartment of a male family friend who had temporary custody; he reported them missing, saying they had gone to the library and never returned. All of their personal effects, including clothing and photo albums, were left behind.

Joyce was described as blonde, with brown eyes, pierced ears, standing 5 feet 3 inches and weighing about 116 pounds. The sisters had experienced a troubled childhood, separation from siblings after their father’s 1968 death, and later moves that culminated in Joyce and Josephine living with the family friend following disciplinary issues at their Broken Bow home. Law enforcement initially treated the case as a runaway disappearance, but no contact or use of Social Security numbers followed, and foul play is now suspected.

The family friend has been identified as a person of interest; he declined a polygraph, did not return the girls’ belongings, and later died. Several unconfirmed sightings were reported over the years but produced no breakthrough. If anyone knew Joyce, Josephine, or their whereabouts in 1983, please share information with investigators.