17 Missing In Will County: One Joliet Case Dates To 1957 (2024)

Seventeen families in Will County have had no closure in learning the true facts regarding the disappearances of their loved ones.

Posted Fri, Nov 27, 2020 at 10:00 am CT|Updated Tue, Mar 29, 2022 at 10:42 am CT

Editor's note: Since this article was published in November 2020, the remains of missing Joliet resident Pamela Ann Vincent were identified in March 2022.

JOLIET, IL — It's been more than 13 years since Plainfield resident Lisa Stebic vanished from her family's home, never to be seen or heard from again. The disappearance of the 37-year-old Plainfield mother of two is one of 17 missing persons cases across Will County that have drawn national and international attention. They are listed in the National Missing And Unidentified Persons System, commonly called NamUs.

During an April 2017 interview with Plainfield Patch to mark the 10-year anniversary of Lisa Stebic's disappearance, family spokeswoman Melanie Greenberg said, "the family is losing faith that it will ever be solved."

"They did several extensive searches around Plainfield," Greenberg went on to say. "The problem is, where do you even start to look? It feels like an impossible task."

Nowadays, the Plainfield police's only person of interest in the case, Lisa's estranged husband, Craig Stebic, lives in Joliet. The Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow has never filed criminal charges against Stebic in connection with his wife's disappearance.

The Lisa Stebic mystery is not the only noteworthy missing person case that has stumped local police agencies in Will County during the past several years.

October marked the 30th anniversary since former Will County Sheriff's deputy Robin Abrams vanished, never to be seen alive again.

A number of properties have been searched over the years in hopes of finding Abrams' remains, but the location where her killer or killers put her has never been identified. Joliet Patch has previously reported the Abrams family believes her Oct. 4, 1990, murder was orchestrated by her former boyfriend, then-Will County Sheriff's Office Auxiliary Deputy Tony Marquez, along with help from his relative John Romo.

During a 2018 interview with Joliet Patch, Robin Abrams' sister Jody Walsh remarked, "There's been at least four outside (experts) that wanted to help our family, and due to the laws that are in place, the Illinois State Police have the case, so it's their call. They get to call the shots. With all the evidence, the family is puzzled on why they won't accept the help from outside people. This case could have been solved a long time ago. All of us honestly believe that."

One of Will County's most famous — and frustrating — investigations surrounds the October 2017 disappearance of Bolingbrook Police Sgt. Drew Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.

In September 2012, shortly after convicting Drew Peterson of third wife Kathleen Savio's murder, Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow issued a statement declaring, "I realize there are other cases that cry out for justice. We have not forgotten — not for one moment — about Lisa Stebic or the victims of the Lane Bryant shootings. We will continue to work tirelessly with our local police to bring justice and closure in these important investigations as well."

In 2018, Patch reported that Glasgow remains reluctant to file murder charges in connection with any crimes involving the killer's ability to successfully hide the victim's body. In November, Glasgow, a Democrat, ran unopposed for another four-year term after successfully challenging local attorney Richard Munoz's petition to run as a Republican against him.

Although having 17 missing person cases in Will County is a lot, in fairness to Glasgow, it is up to the respective investigating police department to make an arrest, and that has yet to happen in the 17 missing person cases highlighted on the NamUs website.

Joliet Patch has analyzed that data and produced the following summaries of the 17 Will County victims, whose families, friends and neighbors remain at a loss.

These families don't have a cemetery to visit their loved one, and the person responsible for their violent death has not been held accountable in Will County's criminal justice system. In some cases, it's been several decades.

1957

Amelia Jo "Molly" Zelko, 47, Joliet

The editor of The Joliet Spectator, the city's weekly newspaper, Zelko vanished from her driveway on Buell Avenue on September 25, 1957. Besides being a reporter, Zelko was also the paper's longtime secretary/treasurer, business manager and co-owner. NamUs indicates that she wore a hat she when she disappeared, however, she was most likely wearing no shoes because her shoes were found by her car. Molly Zelko also wore a diamond ring and a bracelet valued at $5,000. She stood about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 120 lbs.

1977

April Rose Zane, 17, Frankfort

According to NamUs, April disappeared from Frankfort on April 18, 1977, however, the national missing persons organization says she may have gone missing the previous year, in 1976. April was going into Frankfort to visit a friend, but never made it and was never heard from again. Before her disappearance, April had a record of running away, but always turned up later. April was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 115 lbs. She wore a brown flannel jacket.

Another missing persons network, The Charley Project, reports that April was a student at Lincoln-Way High School at the time of her disappearance. Even though her parents both died in 2003, her younger sister continues to search for her, the network noted.

If you have any information to help solve April's disappearance, call the Frankfort Police Department at 815-469-4935.

1981

Sarah Avon, 6, Joliet

Sarah was 6-and-a-half when she disappeared on the night of July 21, 1981, in Joliet Township, never to be seen again. This past summer, the Will County Sheriff's Office revealed that Billy Redden is the prime suspect in Sarah's disappearance and presumed killing. Redden lived less than two blocks away, in an older two-story house in the 200 block of Reichman Street. He was not a stranger, he was family — her father Chuck's cousin.

In 2010, the 69-year-old Redden died.

Sarah was last seen wearing a Joliet District soccer T-shirt, blue jogging pants with red and white stripes and blue tennis shoes with a white stripe, according to NamUs.

1983

David Goffin, 32, Joliet

The NamUs database has virtually no information about Goffin. He is white, 6 feet 2 inches tall, 180 lbs. His last known contact with family or friends was May 31, 1983. There is no photo of him uploaded into the missing persons database. NamUs reports that Goffin had a large scar on the back of head and another scar on outside corner of left eye. NamUs also listed him as having a head tattoo.

If you have any information regarding David's disappearance, please contact the Will County Sheriff's Office at 815-727-8574.

1985

Ronnie Wooten, 33, Joliet

The NamUs database has virtually no information about Wooten. There is no photo of him. He is white, 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 190 lbs. "Ronnie was last seen in Joliet, IL on 07/04/1985. He may have traveled to Fresno, CA," his missing person's entry reads. If you have any information regarding Ronnie's disappearance, please contact the Will County Sheriff's Office at 815-727-8574.

1988

Joan Yarbrough Bernal, 34, Joliet

According to a detailed summary by The Doe Network, Joan Bernal was supposed to join her husband on a trip to Edinburg, Texas. Police investigators said they believed that Gilbert Bernal killed his wife on December 9, 1988, after quarreling about taking her children on the planned trip to Texas.

Bernal said he gave his wife $1,500 before she boarded a Joliet-bound bus in McAllister, Oklahoma, The Doe Network reported. But investigators found that she never made the trip. Bernal was charged with Joan's murder in 1993.

Gilbert Bernal was charged with her murder even though her body was found out. Then, after taking over as the new Will County State's Attorney, James Glasgow had the murder charges against Gilbert Bernal dropped in 1994 based on a criminal defense lawyer's contention that he produced four different people who have claimed to have seen Joan Bernal still alive, the Chicago Tribune reported in May 1994.

Joan Bernal was a driver for the Joliet Mass Transit District. She was born in Oak Park and grew up in Hickory Hills, graduating from Stagg High School in 1972.

If you have information about Joan Bernal's disappearance, call the Will County Sheriff's Office at 815-727-85754

1990

Jeri Duvall, 29, Shorewood

According to NamUs, Jeri was last seen by her husband, Robert "Bob" Duvall, on the night of June 8, 1990. "Their two young daughters had spent the weekend in Michigan with their grandparents. They returned to find their mother missing." Jeri Duvall was last seen wearing a green T-shirt, blue jean shorts and tennis shoes.

According to a separate write-up by The Charley Project, Bob Duvall reported her as a missing person four days after her disappearance, at the request of Jeri's mother. Police said he is the prime suspect in Jeri's disappearance.

"Their children reported Jeri and Robert often had violent arguments and that Robert had choked Jeri and, on one occasion, threatened to burn their house down. The couple always made up afterwards and Robert usually bought Jeri expensive gifts to ease their reconciliation," according to The Charley Project missing persons summary.

If you have information on the disappearance of Jeri Duvall call the Shorewood Police Department at 815-725-4636.

1990

Melissa Page, 23, Lockport

Page was last seen at the Oasis Tavern in Lockport on September 17, 1990, according to NamUs. She wore black coveralls, a white blouse, a black leather jacket and black shoes. According to the Charley Project, "Page apparently associated with violent people and drug dealers in 1990, and after her disappearance there were rumors that she was murdered. Foul play is suspected in her case, which remains unsolved."

If you have information about Melissa Page's disappearance, call the Will County Sheriff's Office at 815-727-8575.

1990

Robin Abrams, 28, Beecher

Abrams was last seen in her hometown of Beecher during the early evening hours of October 4, 1990.

Joliet Patch reported in 2018 that at the time of her killing, Abrams had a pending federal civil rights lawsuit that accused several people at the Will County Sheriff's Office of sexual harassment and bringing phony criminal charges against her as a way to humiliate her and get her fired.

The family contends the disappearance and murder of Abrams was politically and professionally advantageous to a number of key people employed at the Will County Sheriff's Office around 1990.

Anyone with information about the Robin Abrams' disappearance is asked to call the Illinois State Police at 815-726-6291.

1996

Rachel Mellon, 13, Bolingbrook

"Rachel disappeared from her home on a frigid January 31, 1996. She was home from school sick and was home. There has not been a trace of her since that fateful day," NamUs states. In 2015, Bolingbrook Patch produced an article reporting that Rachel stayed home from school with a sore throat that day and was alone with her unemployed stepfather, Vince Mellon. The first time anyone realized Rachel was not ill in her room was when her mother, Amy Mellon, arrived home from work that evening and went to get her daughter for dinner.

The stepfather told the police he last saw Rachel about 2:30 p.m., just before he took the family dog out for a walk. The dog got loose, he told the law, and ran off after a rabbit. Vince Mellon, 48, made an effort to catch the German shepherd but gave up and went home. Later in the day, a real estate appraiser in the area on business stopped by the house and returned the dog, Vince Mellon told the cops.

Anyone with information about Rachel Mellon's disappearance is asked to call the Bolingbrook Police Department at 630-226-0600.

1996

Ronald Fields, 39, Joliet

Little is known about the disappearance of Fields. No photo is available, according to NamUs. He is white, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 145 lbs. He had a maroon Ford two-door car. "Hasn't been seen or heard from since 11/13/1996," the missing persons agency noted. Anyone with information regarding Ronald's disappearance is asked to call the Will County Sheriff's Office at 815-727-8574.

2007

Lisa Stebic, 37, Plainfield

"Lisa Stebic was last seen at her residence by her husband on April 30, 2007 at approximately 1800 hours. Lisa's vehicle was left at the residence. Her purse and cell phone were missing," NamUs states. Patch reported several years ago that Craig Stebic said he was working in the back yard at the time he heard her leave for an exercise class.

"Monday, she left home here, supposedly to work out," Craig Stebic said in an interview with WLS-Channel 7. "As far as I know, somebody picked her up. When I got up (the next day) to go to work, she wasn't there."

These days, her estranged husband lives in Joliet. His wife's body has never been found. No criminal charges were ever filed in connection with disappearance.

Anyone who knows anything about Lisa Stebic's disappearance is asked to call the Plainfield Police Department's tipline at 815-267-7217.

2007

Stacy Lynn Peterson, 23, Bolingbrook

"Stacy was last heard from around 10:15am Sunday Oct. 28, 2007 She was supposed to be meeting a friend to go paint a house," NamUs reports.

On Oct. 28, 2008, one year after Stacy Peterson, Drew Peterson's fourth wife, vanished without a trace, the retired sergeant from the Bolingbrook Police Department sat down for an interview in New York with TODAY'S Matt Lauer. Drew Peterson told TODAY'S audience that Stacy Peterson ran off with another guy.

"I still believe that, yes," Peterson told TODAY. "I have nothing to believe otherwise." Then he issued a challenge to his missing wife: "Show yourself. Put an end to this nightmare," Peterson declared on the television camera.

In an article on the 10-year anniversary of Stacy Peterson's disappearance, Patch reported the odds remained slim that Drew Peterson will be charged for Stacy Peterson's death.

Drew Peterson has since been convicted of the murder of third wife Savio.

2013

Marcus Wright, 24, Joliet

Patch previously reported that Marcus Wright left his Joliet home on Antram Avenue on March 20, 2013 and has not been seen or heard from since, according to Joliet police, who are seeking the public's help in finding the 24-year-old man.

According to police records, he's about 5 feet 11 inches in height and weighs about 180 pounds. Photos show tattoos on his throat and a scar below one eye.

Anyone with information about Marcus Wright is asked to call the Joliet Police Department at

2013

Anne Gay, 52, Joliet

Gay's disappearance happened under extremely suspicious circ*mstances, according to NamUs.

"Home where she was reportedly living was destroyed by an explosion on 7/14/2013," NamUs reports. In 2015, Patch reported that James Borg, 46, pleaded guilty to blowing up his own home while he was inside it.

Borg and Gay lived together in a rented house on Southeast Circle Drive in unincorporated Joliet. A few weeks after Gay vanished, a police dog trained to locate cadavers was taken into the house, but Gay's remains were not found at that time. The next week, Borg blew up the house, injuring himself in the process.

Borg got sentenced to six years in prison and in exchange for his plea to a charge of residential arson, three counts of aggravated arson were dismissed.

Anyone with information about Anne Gay should call the Will County Sheriff's Office at 815-727-8574.

2015

Pamela Ann Vincent, 38, Joliet

(Editor's note: The remains of Pamela Ann Vincent were identified in March 2022)

Little is known about Vincent's disappearance. The only information included in her NamUs write-up states, "Pamela was last seen in Joliet, IL on 08/17/2015." She has her first name of Pamela tattooed on her right forearm and also has burn marks on left shoulder, chest and arm. She is Black, 5 feet 4 inches and weighs 145 lbs.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Joliet Police Department at Joliet Police Department 815-724-3286.

2017

Dennis Tahj, 15, Bolingbrook

"Tahj was last seen on December 7, 2017 around 11 a.m. He did not have money or a cell phone," NamUs reports. Dennis is 5 feet 9 inches and 130 lbs. He wore a black coat, a gray hoodie, jeans and black high top sneakers. No other details about his disappearance are listed on NamUs. Anybody with information about Dennis Tahj's disappearance is urged to call Bolingbrook police at 630-226-8660.