On the morning of December 15, 1995, 36-year-old John J. Markley Jr. and his wife Shelly saw their five children off to school in Bristolville, Ohio, and by the afternoon both parents were gone and their home left in an unusual state. The house was unlocked, the coffeepot nearly boiled dry, John’s wristwatch was found on a shelf though he reportedly never removed it, and Shelly’s purse, cigarettes and lighter remained on the kitchen counter. The family had laid out clothes to wear to calling hours that evening after John’s twin sister had died two days earlier.

Their red and silver 1990 Chevrolet pickup was missing, and at 10:36 a.m. that day a $1,000 check made out to cash and signed by Shelly was cashed at a Bank One drive-through in Bloomfield. The teller recalled John driving the truck with Shelly in the middle seat and an unidentified man beside her.

A former employee later tried to extort the family, claiming he was holding the couple captive; investigators judged him an opportunist and not involved. Foul play is strongly suspected, but the whereabouts of John and Shelly remain unknown. If anyone knew the Markleys, saw that pickup on December 15, 1995, or has information about the unidentified man seen with them, please come forward.