Rilla Kay Sheehan, 44, disappeared from her Robertsdale, Alabama, home on Kendrick Road on December 8, 2001. The last known contact was a telephone call with her son at about 3:40 p.m.; by the time he arrived at her house shortly afterward, she was gone. There were no signs of forced entry or a struggle inside the home.

Her personal effects and usual travel items were left undisturbed, and her vehicle, keys and wallet remained at the residence. She worked at Consolidated Container in nearby Foley and was described by family as responsible and unlikely to leave without telling anyone. Law enforcement has said they consider her disappearance suspicious and have noted the possibility she may have known whoever was involved, given the lack of forced entry.

The case remains an active investigation with few solid leads and many unanswered questions about how a woman who spoke with her son one minute vanished the next. If anyone knew Rilla, her routines or movements that afternoon, please come forward with information.