Averie Grace Evans was 11 when she vanished from Natchitoches, Louisiana on November 5, 1990. Riding a white, pink, and purple Murray bicycle while selling candy bars for a school fundraiser, she was last seen in the area of Fifth and Stephens Streets wearing a black sweater, blue denim vest, and black jeans. Family described her as a straight-A student and talented violinist, a familiar and welcome presence in the neighborhood.

The investigation turned toward a neighbor, Phillip Louis DeSelle, who had bought candy from Averie several times. In January 1991 an anonymous letter claimed the writer had strangled Averie, thrown her body in a dumpster and disposed of her bicycle in Sibley Lake. Investigators recovered the bicycle at the lake and later traced the letter to DeSelle. He was charged and later provided a written confession admitting he lured Averie into his home, struck and strangled her. A plea agreement produced convictions for manslaughter and aggravated kidnapping and a prison sentence. Averie’s remains have never been found.

Did anyone in Natchitoches at the time remember seeing Averie out selling candy or seeing that distinctive Murray bicycle?