The person at the center of this case
Beth Ann Ricketts
Missing Person · Open
28 years waiting · since 1997
Missing Person: Beth Ann Ricketts
Justice for Beth Ann Ricketts — the trail went cold in 1997, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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witness
Lead #1Who last saw Beth Ann Ricketts on December 22, 1997, and under what circumstances?
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clue
Lead #2Why was she in Des Moines on that date, and what was her intended destination?
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evidence
Lead #3Has the medium-sized black purse she was carrying been recovered or located?
Beth Ann Ricketts, a 31-year-old white female, was reported missing to the Des Moines Police Department on December 22, 1997. She was last seen in Des Moines, Iowa, wearing black pants, a white shirt, a zebra belt, and a black leather blazer, carrying a medium-sized black purse. Nearly three decades later, the circumstances of her disappearance remain unknown, and investigators continue to seek information that could help locate her or determine what happened.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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timeline
Lead #4What activities or appointments did Beth have scheduled for December 22-23, 1997?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP17248. Missing person: Beth Ann Ricketts.
Last known contact: 1997-12-22 in Des Moines, Polk, IA. Circumstances: Beth Ricketts was reported missing to the Des Moines Police Department, in Des Moines on December 22, 1997.
Demographics: 31 years, Female, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 8 in, 120 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Blue.
Clothing and accessories: Accessories: She was carrying a medium-sized black purse.; Clothing: She was last seen wearing black pants, a white shirt, a zebra belt and a black leather blazer.. Investigating agency: Des Moines Police Department | 1997-57018.
Timeline of Events
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1997-12-22
Beth Ann Ricketts Reported Missing
Beth Ann Ricketts was reported missing to the Des Moines Police Department on December 22, 1997. Case number: MP17248, DMPD 1997-57018.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 22, 1997
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
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Phone: 5152834864
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Case Information
Incident:December 22, 1997
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5152834864
You can remain anonymous