Case Details
- Photo URLs:
-
- Missing Since:
- Missing Since 08/10/1995
- Missing From:
- Missing From Tucson, Arizona
- Classification:
- Classification Endangered Missing
- Gender:
- Female
- Race:
- Race White
- Date of Birth:
- Date of Birth 11/16/1959 (65)
- Age:
- Age 35 years old
- Height and Weight:
- Height and Weight 5’7, 140 pounds
- Clothing/Jewelry Description:
- Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Brown hair.
- Details of Disappearance:
- On August 10, 1995, Debra Van Reeth disappeared in Tucson, Arizona. She left home to go to work but never arrived. Two days later, her minivan was found abandoned, with her keys inside but no sign of her.
Her husband, who went by “Don Stecchi,” was a suspect. Police discovered his real name was John Joseph Kalhauser, a fugitive from Massachusetts. He was wanted for attempted murder (trying to kill his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend in 1979) and had also pleaded guilty to manslaughter as a teenager.
Van Reeth was divorcing Kalhauser and wanted custody of their sons. It’s unclear if she knew about his real identity and criminal past.
Kalhauser was sent back to Massachusetts for the attempted murder and later pleaded guilty to Van Reeth’s murder. He received an additional 20 years in prison. Police believe Van Reeth was likely murdered.
In 2015, Kalhauser became a suspect in the 1981 murder of Brenda Gerow, whose body was found in Arizona. He had a photo of Gerow when arrested.
Van Reeth’s body has never been found, and her cousin raised her two sons.
- Agency:
- Tucson Police Department
- Source Links:
This person was missing Missing Since 08/10/1995