The person at the center of this case
Catherine Ann Hammel
Missing Person · Open
28 years waiting · since 1998
Missing Person: Catherine Ann Hammel
Justice for Catherine Ann Hammel — the trail went cold in 1998, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
⏰
timeline
Lead #1What occurred during the three-hour window between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. when Hammel was alone in her apartment?
👁️
witness
Lead #2Did anyone see Hammel leave her apartment or observe any suspicious activity at the residence that afternoon?
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evidence
Lead #3Were there signs of forced entry, struggle, or foul play discovered at the apartment?
Catherine Ann Hammel, a 28-year-old woman, disappeared from her apartment in Houston, Texas on March 23, 1998, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. after being dropped off by a coworker from 24-Hour Fitness. Her boyfriend last saw her at 3:00 p.m. and found her missing when he returned three hours later. Despite decades of investigation by the Houston Police Department, her whereabouts remain unknown and the circumstances of her disappearance remain unsolved.
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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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person
Lead #4What was the relationship status and history between Hammel and her boyfriend at the time of disappearance?
💡
clue
Lead #5Why was Hammel wearing her work uniform (purple 24-Hour Fitness t-shirt and gym shorts) at home if she had been dropped off at 2:00 p.m.?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP7643. Missing person: Catherine Ann Hammel.
Last known contact: 1998-03-23 in Houston, Harris, TX. Circumstances: Hammel left her place of employment, 24-Hour Fitness, in Houston, Texas on March 23, 1998.
A co-worker dropped Hammel off at her apartment in the 1200 block of Wilcrest at approximately 2:00 p.m. Hammel's boyfriend saw her at her residence one hour later at 3:00 p.m.
He left the apartment and returned at approximately 6:00 p.m., by which time Hammel disappeared. She has never been seen again.
Demographics: 28 years, Female, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 3 in, 120 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Clothing and accessories: Accessories: Black purse; Clothing: Last seen wearing a purple "24-Hour Fitness" t-shirt and gym shorts; Footwear: White tennis shoes; Jewelry: earrings (unknown description) Letter "C" Ring. Investigating agency: Houston Police Department | 36946798-B.
Timeline of Events
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1998-03-23
14:00Last seen at apartment
Coworker dropped Hammel off at her apartment in the 1200 block of Wilcrest at approximately 2:00 p.m.
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1998-03-23
15:00Boyfriend's last contact
Hammel's boyfriend saw her at her residence at approximately 3:00 p.m.
👤
1998-03-23
18:00Disappearance discovered
Boyfriend returned to apartment at approximately 6:00 p.m. and found Hammel missing
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:March 23, 1998 at 2:00 PM
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
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Phone: 8323941840
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Case Information
Incident:March 23, 1998 at 2:00 PM
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8323941840
You can remain anonymous