They are not forgotten
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Mike Schmidt (MISSING PERSON)
Case Number: SG18-20717
Missing from: 17600 block of South Vigal Road
Pawnee, Illinois
Last Seen: June 10, 2018
On June 10, 2018, shortly before 6:00pm, Mike Schmidt and a friend were searching for Native American artifacts in a heavily wooded area in the 7600 block of South Vigal Road near Pawnee, Illinois. Schmidt and his companion separated during their search but still had visual contact with each other. Schmidt’s companion told Schmidt he was heading back to the car, and Schmidt signaled back. Schmidt never returned to the car, and his friend began a frantic search, eventually contacting authorities for assistance.
It is reported to first responders that Schmidt is in poor health, and responders fear he had a medical emergency and became disabled in the woods. Searchers from several local police departments and fire departments, with help from K-9 teams and local residents, searched the area but were unable to locate Schmidt.
Due to darkness and inclement weather, the search was called off after several hours. Subsequent searches over the coming days, weeks, months, and years failed to locate Schmidt.
Mike was 59 years old at the time of his disappearance, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 135 pounds, with brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue baseball cap, a t-shirt, blue jeans, and brown boots.
If you have information about the disappearance of Mike Schmidt, please click link below, or contact Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427
Michael E. Dunn (HOMICIDE)
Case Number: SG16-21699
Occurred: 700 Block North Forrest Avenue, Springfield, IL
On July 9, 2016, the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to an aid call at a mobile home park in the 700 block of Forrest Avenue in Springfield. (For jurisdiction purposes, the case was later transferred to the Sheriff’s Office.) Michael Dunn was found bleeding from an unknown injury on the top of his head. Michael was slightly incoherent but able to answer some questions. Michael was transported to Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
Officers canvassed the area, and located a spent shell casing in the road outside of the mobile home. A hole believed to be from a bullet was then located in the exterior wall of the bedroom where Michael was sleeping. SPD contacted Memorial, who confirmed Michael suffered a gunshot wound to his head.
Witnesses would later report hearing gunshots between 4:30 & 5:00AM on the morning Michael was shot. A black SUV was seen leaving south on Forrest Avenue shortly after the shots were heard. It is believed Michael was likely not the intended target, and the suspects fired into the wrong mobile home.
Michael underwent multiple medical procedures, but ultimately passed away from his injuries on July 15, 2016.
No arrests have been made in connection to Michael’s death.
If you have information about the homicide of Michael E. Dunn, please click the link below, or contact Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427
Michelle Bianco (MISSING PERSON)
Case Number: SG08-8065
Missing from: 1236 North Oaklane Rd
Springfield, IL
Last Seen: April 5, 2008
Update: On April 15, 2024, Michelle Bianco’s remains were located at a residence in the 2100 block of South Grand Avenue East in Springfield, Illinois. Michelle is no longer classified as missing person, but detectives continue to investigate the circumstance around Michelle’s disappearance and death. The Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to contact us, or Crime Stoppers, with any further information about this case.
Michelle Bianco was last seen at a relative’s house in the 2100 block of South Grand Avenue East, Springfield, Illinois. At that time, Michelle had shoulder length blonde hair, blue eyes, was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weight approximately 112 pounds. She was reported missing on April 6, 2008, after her boyfriend returned home from a hunting trip. Michelle was last seen getting into a black Pontiac car with a sunroof. The vehicle was driven by a small build, unshaven white male with black hair. No one has had contact with Michelle since that time.
If you have information about the disappearance of Michelle Bianco, please click link below, or contact Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427
Marianne "Misty" Pippenger (HOMICIDE)
Case Number: SG98-8799
On the afternoon of March 29, 1998, deputies responded to the 3000 block of South 11th Street in Springfield for a report of a person down. Marianne Pippenger, 74 years old, was found deceased inside her mobile home. Pippenger had suffered multiple stab wounds to her torso and blunt force injuries to her head.
Pippenger was the manager for the mobile home park in which she lived. It was common knowledge among the other residents that Pippenger did not lock her doors, and no signs of forced entry to her trailer were found. Pippenger collected rent for the mobile home park and stored the money and checks inside her trailer. Robbery may have been the motive for Pippenger’s death.
No arrests were ever made in connection to this case.
If you have information about the homicide of Marianne "Misty" Pippenger, please click the link below, or contact Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427
Patricia Abu-Tayeh (Danner) (MISSING PERSON)
Case Number: C89-601 (original)
SG96-23737
Missing from: 9 Covered Bridge Acres, Glenarm, IL
Last Seen: January 7, 1989
Patricia S. Abu-Tayeh (Danner) was last seen at her residence in Glenarm, Illinois. Patricia is a white female. At that time, she was 34 years old, she had brown hair, brown eyes, was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighed approximately 200 pounds. She was reported missing on January 28, 1989, by a relative whom had been unable to make contact with her for a few weeks. Patricia’s husband was the last to see her on January 7, 1989. No one has had contact with Patricia since that time.
If you have information about the disappearance of Patricia Abu-Tayeh (Danner), please click the link below, or contact Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427
Brenda S. Bottoms (MISSING PERSON)
Case Number: C87003619 (original)
SG22-12342
Missing from: 200 block of North 5th
Auburn, Illinois
Last Seen: June 28, 1987
Brenda S. Bottoms, then 22 years old, left her residence in Auburn on the night of June 28, 1987, with a female acquaintance, and the two walked to a local tavern. While walking home later that evening, Brenda and her friend met up with two male subjects, and went to a house in the 200 block of North 5th Street in Auburn to talk. Brenda was last seen getting into a brown car with dents on the passenger side. Witnesses claim Brenda seemed to know the occupant(s) of the brown car and got into the car voluntarily.
Brenda was never seen again, and to this day her whereabouts are unknown.
If you have information about the disappearance of Brenda S. Bottoms, please click link below, or contact Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427
H.W. "Dick" Buecker (MISSING PERSON)
Case Number: SG81-39068
Last Location: Loami Lake Estates Mobile Home Park
Loami, Illinois
Last Seen: November 18, 1981
On November 20, 1981 the family of H.W. "Dick" Buecker contacted the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office to report that they had not seen their father for a couple of days. Dick's truck was located outside his office at Loami Lake Estates Mobile Home Park in Loami, Illinois.
The family thought he was meeting someone in Franklin, Illinois that day. Dick used his pickup truck to travel and always notified his family of his whereabouts. He never stayed overnight away from home and always returned to his home in Springfield, Illinois at the end of each day. It was also noted that his truck had the passenger side mirror broken out and there were missing items from the vehicle.
The family felt Dick's disappearance could have been related to a personal loan he was trying to recoup.
While Dick was declared legally deceased in 1988 his whereabouts remain unknown to this day.
A $5,000 reward was established to anyone who could give information that leads to an arrest.
If anyone has information about the disappearance of H.W. "Dick" Buecker please click on the link below, or contact Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427.
Louis Silotto (HOMICIDE)
Case Number: SG71-15
Louis Silotto was shot and killed inside his residence in the 100 block of Sangamon Avenue on January 6, 1971. Silotto suffered from multiple gunshot wounds, and was found by deputies after employees of the tavern he owned/operated grew concerned about his whereabouts. Silotto’s black Cadillac, wallet, and the murder weapon were missing from the residence.
Silotto’s girlfriend, Juanita Banks, was determined to be the suspect, and an arrest warrant for charges of murder, manslaughter, and home invasion was issued on January 28, 1971. Authorities at the time suspected Banks fled to Texas in Silotto’s car after the murder, and may have crossed into Mexico. Banks, who was born on January 31, 1925, was never apprehended on her warrant.
If anyone has information on the homicide of Louis Silotto, or the whereabouts of Juanita Banks, please click the link below, or contact Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427