mary franklin
Missing since: July 26, 1986
Black female
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5’4’’
Weight: 160 lbs.
Age (at time of disappearance): 71
case details:
Franklin was a very private and careful woman who lived alone on 15 acres in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She was last known to be at her residence. Family became alarmed when she did not attend church services. She was then reported missing. Some time after her disappearance, a teenager came forward stating that he and three others had murdered Franklin and buried her body in the county landfill. The Sheriff’s department excavated a large area of the landfill but were unable to locate Franklin.
In 1988, Marlo Middleton, a convicted murderer confessed that he had killed Franklin and threw her into the Mississippi River. He made this statement several times. Despite those confessions, investigators were never able to substantiate those claims or find Franklin’s body. Middleton died in 2014 after a lengthy sentence in the Mississippi State hospital at Whitfield. No charges have ever been brought against anyone regarding Franklin’s disappearance and possible murder. Her case remains unsolved at this time.
Investigating Agency Information:
Warren County Sheriff’s Department
(601)636-1761
NamUs ID#: MP90982
Additional Resources:
Clarion-Ledger (January 30, 2014)
Hattiesburg American (July 18, 1987)