The person at the center of this case
Della Marie Hillard
Missing Person · Open - Unsolved
38 years waiting · since 1988
Missing Person: Della Marie Hillard
Justice for Della Marie Hillard — the trail went cold in 1988, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🔍
evidence
Lead #1Blood found on the back and side of the vehicle—was it Hillard's blood, and does it indicate violence at the scene?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2Why was the car ransacked but her apartment appeared undisturbed with nothing taken?
📍
location
Lead #3What was the significance of the apartment complex at 12800 Dunlap where the car was found—did anyone see or hear anything unusual?
Della Marie Hillard, a 32-year-old woman, disappeared from Houston, Texas on May 3, 1988, after telling a friend she was going to sleep. Her car was found ransacked a mile from her home with blood on it and her purse missing, while her apartment showed no signs of forced entry or theft, suggesting a planned abduction. Despite nearly four decades of investigation by the Houston Police Department, her whereabouts remain unknown and foul play is strongly suspected.
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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.
💡
clue
Lead #4Hillard had recently moved to her house only two months prior—could someone have targeted her during this transition period?
🎯
suspect
Lead #5Who had knowledge of her plans that evening, and did anyone have access to her vehicle or keys?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP8543. Missing person: Della Marie Hillard.
Last known contact: 1988-05-03 in Houston, Harris, TX. Circumstances: Hillard was last seen in Houston, Texas on May 3, 1988.
She said goodbye to some friends on May 3, 1988, around 8PM about a half hour later, she told another friend on the phone that she was going to sleep. She has never been seen or heard from again.
Hillard's boyfriend went to her house the morning of May 4, 1988, but Hillard wasn't home. He reported her missing after learning she wasn't at work.
Hillard's car, a 1979 AMC Spirit sedan, was found the next day at an apartment complex at 12800 Dunlap, about a mile from her home. The car appeared to have been ransacked and her purse was missing.
There was blood on the back and the side of the car. There was no sign of her at the scene.
Hillard's apartment appeared in order and nothing had been taken. Some of her windows were open, but she often left them that way.
She had moved out of an apartment complex into the house just two months before she disappeared. Foul play is suspected.
Demographics: 32 years, Female, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 5 in, 120 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Green.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: NCIC clothing entry: Beige blouse with lace collar; Rose colored slacks; Beige and white heels.; Jewelry: She was known to wear a Houston Baptist University class ring (solid gold, no stones), 5-6 gold hoop earrings and several diamond studs in each ear.. Investigating agency: Houston Police Department | 034553488E & 034317588.
Timeline of Events
👁️
1988-05-03
20:00Last Contact
Hillard said goodbye to friends around 8 PM, then called another friend approximately 30 minutes later stating she was going to sleep.
🕵️
1988-05-04
morningBoyfriend's Discovery
Hillard's boyfriend visited her house in the morning and found her absent. He reported her missing after learning she did not report to work.
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1988-05-05
Vehicle Found
Hillard's 1979 AMC Spirit sedan was discovered at an apartment complex at 12800 Dunlap, approximately one mile from her residence. The vehicle was ransacked with blood on the back and side. Her purse was missing.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 3, 1988 at 8:00 PM
Last Updated:June 2, 2026
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Phone: 8323941840
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Case Information
Incident:May 3, 1988 at 8:00 PM
Last Updated:June 2, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8323941840
You can remain anonymous