The person at the center of this case
Ella Murray
Missing Person · Open
28 years waiting · since 1997
Missing Person: Ella Murray
Justice for Ella Murray — 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 #1Was the Wal-Mart sighting verified? Who reported seeing her there and what was she doing?
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clue
Lead #2Given her memory problems and confusion, did she wander away or was she taken? Were search efforts conducted in the area?
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evidence
Lead #3What investigation was conducted in 1997 and what leads were pursued or abandoned?
Ella Murray, an 80-year-old woman experiencing memory problems and confusion, was reported missing from her Gordonville residence in Bartow, Florida on August 22, 1997. She was last seen that day wearing lavender pants with a red and white shirt, though an unconfirmed sighting placed her at a local Wal-Mart the following day. Nearly three decades later, the circumstances of her disappearance remain unclear, and anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
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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 #4Who was her roommate and what details did they provide about her condition and disappearance?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP5676. Missing person: Ella Murray.
Last known contact: 1997-08-22 in Bartow, Polk, FL. Circumstances: Ms.
Murray was reported missing from her Gordonville residence by her roommate on the morning of 08-22-97. At the time of her disappearance, she was experiencing memory problems and confusion.
There was an unconfirmed sighting of her at the Bartow Wal-Mart on the day after her disappearance. Demographics: 80 years, Female, Black / African American.
Physical description: 5 ft 0 in, 120 lbs, hair: Gray or Partially Gray, eyes: Brown. Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Lavender pants with a red and white shirt.
Investigating agency: Polk County Sheriff's Office | 97-133781.
Timeline of Events
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1997-08-22
Reported Missing
Ella Murray reported missing from her Gordonville residence by her roommate on the morning of August 22, 1997.
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1997-08-23
Unconfirmed Sighting
Unconfirmed sighting of Ella Murray at Bartow Wal-Mart the day after her disappearance.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 22, 1997
Last Updated:June 3, 2026
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Phone: 8632986834
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Case Information
Incident:August 22, 1997
Last Updated:June 3, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8632986834
You can remain anonymous