
The person at the center of this case
Catherine B. Romer (age 77) and Robert Romer
Justice for Catherine B. Romer (age 77) and Robert Romer — the trail went cold in 1980, but the truth hasn't.
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Where was the couple's car going when spotted south of Brunswick? Why would they leave the hotel shortly after checking in?
What happened between the 3:51 p.m. check-in and the 5 p.m. car sighting? Did they retrieve something or meet someone?
The couple was carrying $60,000-$80,000 in jewelry—could robbery or theft have motivated their disappearance?
Catherine B. Romer, 77, and her husband Robert disappeared on April 8, 1980, shortly after checking into a Holiday Inn in Brunswick, Georgia while traveling from Miami to New York. Their car was spotted by a Georgia Highway Patrol officer near restaurants south of Brunswick around 5 p.m. that evening, but neither the couple nor their vehicle have ever been found despite extensive searches involving helicopters and divers. The case remains unsolved after more than 40 years, with Catherine reportedly carrying $60,000 to $80,000 in jewelry at the time of disappearance.
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Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
Why were they seen near restaurants south of Brunswick instead of staying at or near their hotel?
No trace of the couple or vehicle was ever found despite helicopter and diver searches—what happened to their car?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
NamUs case MP73872. Missing person: Catherine B.
Romer. Last known contact: 1980-04-08 in Brunswick, Glynn, GA.
Circumstances: Catherine Romer and her husband Robert (NamUs #MP73871), disappeared shortly after checking into the Holiday Inn located along I-95 and U.S. 341 in Brunswick, Georgia.
The couple was traveling from their winter home in Miami, Florida to their home in Scarsdale, New York; in their car. The couple checked into the hotel on Tuesday, April 8, 1980 at 3:51 p.m.
They took their belongings to their room. Around 5 p.m.
that evening an officer with the Georgia Highway Patrol recalled seeing the couple's car south of Brunswick parked near a group of restaurants about an hour after Mr. and Mrs.
Romer registered. On Friday, April 11th, hotel management notified police that the couple's room had not appeared occupied since they had initially checked in.
A massive search was conducted of back roads and swamps. Helicopters and divers were used but no clues as to the whereabouts of the couple or their car was ever found.
Demographics: 77 years, Female, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 5 in, 145 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Unknown.
Clothing and accessories: Jewelry: Her family reported that she had had with her jewelry worth between $60,000 and $80,000.. Investigating agency: Glynn County Police Department | 80-04-01449 | 1980-04-11.
Catherine and Robert Romer checked into Holiday Inn at 3:51 p.m. and took belongings to their room
Georgia Highway Patrol officer reported seeing the couple's car parked south of Brunswick near restaurants approximately one hour after check-in
Hotel management notified police that the couple's room showed no signs of occupancy since initial check-in
Extensive search conducted of back roads and swamps using helicopters and divers; no clues found
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.