Springfield's Missing Women

I've been obsessed with 1717 E. Delmar since I moved back to Springpatch. Many of us know the infamous address of Springfield's Three Missing Women. Sherrill Levitt, Suzie Streeter and Stacy McCall disappeared from East Delmar 18 years ago.

There are numerous theories as to what became of the three women, a few suspects and thousands of leads were followed up on. Yet 18 years later, we're still no closer to knowing what happened to them. The three women just vanished, leaving a bereft family and baffled community.

“Are you going to blame Gerald Carnahan for global warming too?” Jody teased.

“Maybe,” I replied sheepishly.

I was highlighting a list of missing women from Missouri, sorting out the ones I thought Gerald Carnahan might be responsible for. I'm convinced Jackie Johns isn't the only woman Carnahan murdered. He did time for the assault and attempted kidnapping of another Springfield woman before law enforcement was able to pin John's murder on him.

Carnahan also had an ex-girlfriend who turned up murdered. To my knowledge, that crime remains unsolved.

Perhaps Carnahan is innocent of that crime. Perhaps the only crimes he is guilty of are the ones for which he is convicted. Gut instinct tells me that's simply not the case. Everything about Gerry Carnahan makes my hair stand on end. I see what I believe to be Carnahan's handiwork all over several missing women's cases.

“You don't really think Gerald Carnahan is responsible for the Three Missing Women, do you?” Jody asked perplexed.

“I'm not sure. I'm just not sure.”

Even I struggle with the notion that Carnahan could subdue three women. He's obviously a strong guy, but not superhuman. However, he is scary smart.

Did Carnahan break the porch light at 1717 E. Delmar as a ruse to gain entrance into Sherrill Levitt's home? It's possible. But is it probable?

Earlier this week, sidelined by a sore throat, I sat in my recliner watching a “Disappeared” marathon on Discover ID. The show documents missing persons cases across the country. As I watched, I grumbled inwardly that they'd never bothered to do a show on our Missing Women. Maybe I'm biased, but I consider it the single most baffling missing persons case in U.S. History. For three people to go missing at once like that … it's just remarkable.

Last night at dinner, Jody showed me an article in the News-Leader. ID is finally going to have an episode of “Disappeared” focusing on Levitt, Streeter and McCall. I wondered aloud if they'd bothered to try and interview Carnahan for the program.

Jody rolled her eyes at me.

I hold no illusions that the “Disappeared” program will answer any of my questions about 1717 E. Delmar. But I am glad the case is finally getting some much needed attention. We reached a point where their names only come up in conversation and at anniversaries of the date of their disappearance. Maybe the show will cause someone to remember something and make an important phone call. Maybe it won't. Assuredly, the show will cause me to turn the case over and over in my mind again.

The show will air Monday, March 7 at 8 p.m. On Discovery's ID channel.