Case Details

Photo URLs:

This person was missing Missing Since 12/01/1999

Missing Since:

Missing Since 12/01/1999

Missing From:

Missing From Lewis County, West Virginia

Classification:

Classification Endangered Missing

Gender:

Female

Race:

Race White

Date of Birth:

Date of Birth 08/01/1954 (70)

Age:

Age 45 years old

Height and Weight:

Height and Weight 5’2, 130 pounds

Clothing/Jewelry Description:

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Mary wears large-framed eyeglasses.

Details of Disappearance:

On December 1, 1999, Mary Friend and her mother, Maxine Stalnaker, disappeared from their West Virginia home. Mary’s husband was working out of state. Earlier that day, they ran errands: picking up Mary’s sister, getting new tires from Mary’s son, Joseph Metz, and dropping Maxine off for some shopping. The last confirmed sighting was Mary dropping her sister off around 8-9 pm, then going home.

The next morning, Mary didn’t show up for work or to pick up her sister. Her husband found their home empty on December 3rd – no signs of a struggle, but no sign they left willingly either; all their belongings were still there. Maxine’s Doberman was dead, and their other dog was found miles away at a former family residence near Stonewall Jackson Lake.

Mary’s car was found abandoned five days later. In 2002, a purse containing both women’s IDs was found in Stonewall Jackson Lake, leading to searches there (again in 2007), but nothing else was discovered. It’s noteworthy that Metz lived near the lake and the former residence where the dog was found; he also previously owned the dog.

In 2013, Metz and two other men were charged with murder, but the charges were dropped due to unreliable testimony from one of the accused. Although the case was dismissed, it could be reopened if new evidence emerges. Mary and Maxine’s bodies have never been found, but police strongly suspect foul play.

Agency:

Lewis County Sheriff’s Office

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