She left a bar and a game in a borrowed brown AMC Matador to pick up her four-year-old daughter and Patricia Call’s two children. The car stalled twice; after being helped once at U.S. 23 and River Road, it stalled again on Sunset Street about two blocks from the babysitter’s house and under a mile from the police station.

At about 11:15 p.m., witnesses reported seeing Cherita get into a blue pickup driven by a bearded white man; the truck drove off toward Old U.S. 23 and Cherita was never seen again. The Matador was later found abandoned with Cherita’s cigarettes, house keys, and a note with directions to the babysitter inside, but the car keys were missing. Foul play is suspected and her body has never been found.

Over the years the investigation produced several leads, including a fugitive who was later cleared and a cadaver dog handler who fabricated evidence. Attention later turned to Jimmie Allen Nelson, who resembled the described driver and gave conflicting statements; he was charged in the 2000s and a conviction occurred but was later overturned after sealed new evidence.

If anyone knew Cherita, saw her that night, or has information about a blue pickup seen near Sunset Street and Old U.S. 23, please come forward.