Dateline returned to some of the most terrifying recent cold cases, and one of the most frightening is the case of Jonelle Matthews, who was 12 years old. She had been missing since December of 1984. Her case remained unsolved for over three decades—until a break in the case led to the arrest and conviction of a suspect whose suspicious behavior had raised many eyebrows throughout the years. Her own case, captured on camera by Dateline, is a testament to the length of time it can take before justice is served and how perseverance will eventually bear fruit.
Jonelle’s name became well-known nationwide when the “milk carton campaign,” an awareness campaign to educate people about missing children, was just starting. Although the public was made aware of her case, the investigation came to a standstill for years with no one being arrested, minimal evidence, and no body—until 2019.
Dateline sheds light on new information; the next five facts share the most terrifying and intriguing information about Jonelle Matthews’ vanishing and death.
1. She disappeared following the holiday concert with no further indications
According to Dateline, on December 20, 1984, Jonelle Matthews returned home from the Franklin Middle School Christmas choir concert held in Greeley, Colorado. Her friend’s dad dropped her off at 8:30 p.m. Her father arrived home about an hour later to find Jonelle was no longer there. There was no indication of a struggle or forced entry, but her shoes and shawl remained in the house. In the early stages of the investigation, the only possible evidence—a footprint in the snow outside—was cavalierly obliterated.
Despite close monitoring by local authorities and national media, they had no leads. The case was on the news but was never solved, with little physical evidence and few leads to follow. Jonelle’s disappearance turned into a cold case within days, a case that would keep plaguing the town of Greeley for decades to come.
2. Thirty-five years later, her remains were found.
As per Dateline, the biggest break in the case came most unexpectedly in July 2019. Workers constructing buildings in rural Weld County, about 15 miles from where Jonelle was last seen, discovered human remains near an oil well. The remains were confirmed to be Jonelle through dental records and DNA…