The person at the center of this case
Debra Jean Wienke
Missing Person · Open
44 years waiting · since 1982
Missing Person: Debra Jean Wienke
Justice for Debra Jean Wienke — the trail went cold in 1982, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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location
Lead #1Did Debra travel to the Monte Alto or Raymondville areas of south Texas where the hotel owners operated other properties?
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person
Lead #2What did family members in Maple Park know about her plans and intended destination?
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timeline
Lead #3Why was the case not reported missing until 2020, and what circumstances prompted the report after 38 years?
Debra Jean Wienke, a 25-year-old resident of the Douglas Hotel in Elgin, Illinois, disappeared in fall 1982 after telling family she planned to move to Texas or Mexico. The hotel closed shortly after her disappearance, and she has never been located despite a connection to hotel properties owned by the same operators in south Texas. Her case remained unreported for nearly 38 years until 2020, leaving critical early investigative leads potentially lost to time.
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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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evidence
Lead #4Are there any records from the Douglas Hotel or its owners regarding Debra's departure or forwarding information?
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clue
Lead #5Did anyone at the hotel or in the community see Debra leave or have information about her final days before the hotel closed?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP162498. Missing person: Debra Jean Wienke.
Last known contact: 1982-09-30 in Elgin, Kane, IL. Circumstances: Debra Jean Wienke was a resident at the Douglas Hotel located at 156 Division Street, Elgin, IL 60120.
The hotel closed on or about 10-01-1982. Shortly before it closed, she told family in Maple Park, Illinois that she was moving to Texas or Mexico.
The owners of the Douglas Hotel also owned hotels in the Monte Alto and Raymondville areas of Texas. She may have planned to travel to that area of south Texas.
Debra has not been seen or heard from since the fall of 1982. The exact date of her disappearance is unknown and 09-30-1982 is being used as the approximate date.
She was not reported missing until 06-16-2020. Demographics: 25 years, Female, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 3 in, 180 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown. Investigating agency: Elgin Police Department | 2020-33829 | 2020-06-16.
Timeline of Events
👁️
1982-09-30
Last known contact
Debra last contacted family in Maple Park, Illinois, stating she planned to move to Texas or Mexico
📍
1982-10-01
Douglas Hotel closure
The Douglas Hotel in Elgin closed on or about this date
🕵️
2020-06-16
Case reported missing
Debra was officially reported missing to Elgin Police Department, nearly 38 years after her disappearance
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 30, 1982
Last Updated:October 24, 2026
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Phone: 8472892653
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Case Information
Incident:September 30, 1982
Last Updated:October 24, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8472892653
You can remain anonymous