CLEVELAND-- On May 24, 1978, Judy Martins went to a celebration in a Kent State dormitory and was never ever heard from once again. Now on the 45th anniversary of her disappearance, her siblings are hoping somebody out there remembers something that could finally bring them the closure they require.
Nancy Baer and Steve Martins have just fond memories of their older sis Judy. "She was wise, she was popular, she was quite," said Baer. "She resembled the head of our household."
" What stands apart for me is her intelligence and her creative ability," Martins said. "Nancy and I didn't get that!"
The brother or sisters grew up in Avon Lake with their mom Dolores, who was a nurse, and their daddy, Arthur, who was a maintenance employee.
" We were your typical family," Baer stated. "We went to school, we fished, we played in the lake, we ran the neighborhood. You know, free-range kids."
By the late 70s, the brother or sisters were grown and went their different ways to separate schools, but they never ever lost touch. Simply 10 days prior to her disappearance, Judy was home in Avon Lake with her moms and dads and bro to commemorate Baer's 21st birthday and Mother's Day.
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Judy was goofing around with a friend in a dormitory space and even presented for enjoyable images using a red wig. What took place that night is not clear, however after 2:30 a.m., no one saw Judy again.
Other students who were there that night stated she walked home to Engleman, but nobody witnessed her walking away. Judy was a resident advisor, so she lived alone in her dormitory.
Baer remembers trying to call Judy the following day. "You need to keep in mind that was before there were recorders or mobile phone or anything. I called her a number of times and it simply rang and called and sounded, which you downplayed. She wasn't home."
By Friday, Judy's mother understood something was wrong. "My mom began calling Judy every hour on the hour," Baer remembered.
That's when Judy's parents chose to make the hour's drive to Kent. They sent Baer in to examine her dormitory. "As soon as I went in, I believed, 'Something terrible has taken place to her.' Her makeup was all there. Her cash was there. Her glasses were there."
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" It appeared clear she had actually not returned to her space," Martins stated. "If you're going to remove, you're going to a minimum of go back to your space and get your cash, Baer stated.
Kent State University police didn't feel the exact same way. It was the start of Memorial Day weekend, and they were persuaded Judy had actually gone someplace for the vacation and didn't submit a missing individual report for seven days.
Even then, there was no proof of a crime. Judy's purse was never ever discovered, and her charge card was never ever used. Still, the tips came gathering.
" She was at a garage sale. She was buying things since she was moving to Mexico," Baer said. "There were all these insane rumors that went around."
Ultimately, it all took a toll on Judy's parents. "He was just never the very same," Martins said about his papa Arthur.
Arthur got cancer at the age of 52 and died 5 years later. "I believe it was that mind-body connection. He was just so grief-stricken his entire body immune system closed down," Baer said of her father.
Dolores, on the other hand, never ever gave up. "My mother was definitely dogged in her communication with the authorities, trying to act on every little lead," stated Martins.
, my mama said 'make sure Donna, who was my house maid of honor, can hand her gown over to Judy if she shows up. Maybe she'll reveal up for your wedding," Baer remembered. "Of course, we understood she would not.
Dolores died in 2003, never understanding what took place to her daughter. However her two surviving kids are still combating.
" For me, I want the closure," said Martins. "Moreso for my parents. We're not 'an eye for an eye' type people."
"We're at the point where we don't care about prosecution or anything else. All we need to know is where she is and what occurred to her," Baer said.
If you know anything about Judy Martins' disappearance or know anything that might have occurred the night of May 24, 1978, call the U.S. Marshals Tipline: 1-866-492-6833. Tips can remain confidential.
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