May 20, 1982
Classification: Lost, Injured, Missing
Vital Statistics
Date of Birth: November 5, 1964
Age at time of disappearance: 17-years-old
Approximate Height: 5'7
Approximate Weight: 135 lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Double-pierced ears. Smoked "Marlboro Reds" cigarettes.
Dentals: Available. Left front tooth is capped.
Clothing: Long sleeved peach blouse, white painter pants, and burgundy Nina brand high heels.
Circumstances
Kellie was last seen at the Twelve Oaks Mall in Bloomfield, MI around 11:00 a.m. on May 20, 1982. That morning, Kellie and her boyfriend took the bus to school, but Kellie didn't attend class. At 9 a.m., she hitchhiked to Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi to apply for summer jobs. At approximately 11:00 a.m., Kellie ran into a friend's mom who offered her a ride, but Kellie wanted to put fill out more applications before heading home. That was the last time anyone saw her.
Kellie was a "Wall 'Tuckian," the nickname for the big-haired girls in blue jeans, high heels, and army jackets who hung around Walled Lake in the early 1980s.
Kellie was staying with her boyfriend and his family in their apartment in Walled Lake. She had moved out of her family's West Bloomfield home after telling friends that her stepfather abused her. Her friends stated that they had seen bruises on Kellie's body before she vanished. The stepfather had plead guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual misconduct in 1977 when Kellie's older sister filed charges against him. The older sister then moved to California, where the girls' biological father resided. Kellie remained in Michigan, where she had a good relationship with her mother. Kellie had occasionally moved out of the family's home after problems with her step-father surfaced. Her mother stated that Kellie was planning to move back to West Bloomfield once the stepfather left the residence.
Kellie's boyfriend reported her missing when she did not return to his family's apartment or call him by 9:00 that night. A search was initiated soon after, but little evidence was located. The boyfriend was ruled out as a suspect early on in the investigation. Speculation began to center around the stepfather, who claimed that he was visiting his father-in-law's grave and going to the gym on the day Kellie disappeared. The stepfather, who is now deceased, also denied abusing Kellie in any way and maintained he had nothing to do with her disappearance.
Foul play is suspected in this case, as it is believed her disappearance was not random.
Investigating Agency
West Bloomfield Police Department
Missing Person Unit
248-682-9200
Agency Case Number: 82-6461
NCIC Number: M-086153645
Source: Detroit News
Source: The Oakland Press
Source: Doe Network
