Who Was Jonelle Matthews? All We Know About The Missing Girl On The Milk Carton

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As a dedicated follower of cold cases and true crime stories, I find myself deeply saddened by the heartbreaking tale of Jonelle Matthews. Having grown up during the 80s, I remember vividly the milk cartons with pictures of missing children scattered across our neighborhoods. The story of Jonelle is one that resonates deeply, as it brings back memories of a time when we all worried about the safety of our kids just a little bit more than usual.

An unexpected chain of events resulted in a tragic outcome that left everyone stunned. The once peaceful neighborhood of Greely, Colorado, transformed into a chilling, eerie locale following the disappearance of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews on the night of December 20, 1985. The Oxygen true crime series revisited another enigmatic case of missing children who graced milk cartons in the 1980s.

The tale of Jonelle Matthews, a brilliant young woman, enshrouded California in a layer of enduring mysteries for three decades until its resolution in 2020. A miniseries recounted the raw accounts of police officers, neighbors, and even a crucial eyewitness, who finally found the courage to disclose the truth.

Who was Jonelle Matthews?

In the 1970s, Jonelle Matthew was lovingly raised by Jim and Gloria Matthews, who had a warm and welcoming disposition. As children in the late ’70s and early ’80s, Jonelle and her older sister (the biological child of Jim and Gloria) enjoyed an idyllic childhood filled with playtime, bike rides, and other fun activities. Jonelle was admired by her peers not only as a friend but also within her neighborhood due to her shining personality.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: Growing up, I was an energetic child, boasting physical prowess beyond my peers, and I had an uncommon drive to carve out a path for myself, unlike many kids my age who simply sought playtime. In the circles of our family and neighbors, it was often remarked upon that our household was intellectually vibrant, with me and my sister, Jonelle and Jennifer, being well-mannered exemplars of this brightness.

Each week, the family made a visit to the church. However, nothing about the family or their neighborhood would have suggested any cause for concern as to what might have eventually changed the course of events for the Mathews.

What happened on the night of December 1985?

On the evening of December 20th, 1984, Jonelle and her closest friend Deanne, along with other children, went to their school. That night, the school choir was broadcasting Christmas carols on a local television station. While Jonelle’s father, Jim, was watching his daughter play baseball at the school, her mother, Gloria, was visiting her father who was unwell in another part of the city.

In Deanne’s house, her father inadvertently overlooked that the garage door was slightly open as he left Jonelle behind. At about 8:30, Jonelle got a call from her father, jotting down his message. By 9 pm, an abduction occurred, and when her father and sister arrived home, they discovered it was vacant.

Jim thoroughly checked every nook and cranny of the house but couldn’t find Jonelle. It wasn’t typical for girls to go missing without leaving a note for their parents first. Later, they contacted the police who arrived at the scene. They traced some footprints in the snow that seemed to be hidden; moreover, there were Jonelle’s stockings near her shoes, and the heater by her chair was still warm.

The Milk Carton Missing Kids

In the 1980s, numerous instances of child abductions occurred, causing widespread concern among city residents. Even milk cartons featured sections dedicated to missing children, and local newspapers were often overflowing with such reports.

At that point, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children came into existence as well. Additionally, children from prominent families began raising awareness about child abductions, a topic that previously had only been discussed locally.

Was the culprit caught?

35 years after Jonelle went missing, new evidence surfaced and stunned the world. In July 2019, construction workers near Greeley stumbled upon a set of remains with a gunshot wound to the head. Upon further examination, it was revealed that these bones belonged to none other than Jonelle.

It came to light that Matthew’s neighbor, Steven Dana Pankey, who once ran for office in Idaho, was found guilty of committing a heinous crime. His former spouse also admitted her silence over the years about the disturbing fixations of this man. Despite being tried by law, several children remain unaccounted for.

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2024-08-26 15:11