Joplin woman vanished 21 years ago — and the mystery remains

Twenty-one years after Sandra L. Spoon vanished from Joplin, authorities are still searching for answers.

Spoon was 57 when she was last seen around 10 p.m. Aug. 28, 2005, at a residence on Pearl Street. Witnesses said she left with an acquaintance, possibly in a brown 1981 Oldsmobile Omega.

The acquaintance returned about two hours later and reportedly said he had dropped Spoon off near 22nd Street and Byers Avenue. She was never seen or heard from again.

Her family reported her missing after she failed to return home or report to work.

Spoon was described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and about 100 pounds, with reddish-brown hair and brown eyes. She had previously suffered facial fractures and wore full dentures.

Anyone with information should contact the Joplin Police Department at 417-623-3131 or the Missouri Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 800-877-3452.