Case Details
- Photo URLs:
-
- Missing Since:
- Missing Since 04/16/1978
- Missing From:
- Missing From Sister Lakes, Michigan
- Classification:
- Classification Endangered Missing
- Gender:
- Female
- Race:
- Race White
- Date of Birth:
- Age:
- Age 28 years old
- Height and Weight:
- Height and Weight 5’6, 125 pounds
- Clothing/Jewelry Description:
- Clothing/Jewelry Description A blue nylon jacket, a blue plaid shirt and blue jeans.
- Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Blonde hair, green eyes. Joyce’s maiden name is Collins. Her nickname is Joy.
- Details of Disappearance:
- On April 16, 1978, Joyce disappeared. She went to meet her estranged husband, Jerry, at an antique store in Michigan to sign over a car title. Jerry said he dropped her off, but witnesses say he returned alone. Joyce’s car was found at the store, but there was no sign of a struggle. She left behind money and her young daughter.
Joyce was afraid of Jerry; she said he had abused her and she worried he’d take their daughter. After she vanished, Jerry didn’t cooperate with police, later lost custody of their daughter, and moved to Florida. He claimed Joyce had a mental illness and was in a hospital, which was false.
Years later, Jerry was charged with Joyce’s murder. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter but the conviction was overturned on appeal. Joyce’s body has never been found, but police suspect foul play.
- Agency:
- Cass County Sheriff Department 269-445-1560
- Source Links:
This person was missing Missing Since 04/16/1978