The person at the center of this case
Ernestine Covington
Missing Person · Open
40 years waiting · since 1986
Missing Person: Ernestine Covington
Justice for Ernestine Covington — the trail went cold in 1986, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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location
Lead #1Why was her vehicle abandoned seven months after her disappearance, and what does this timeline suggest about her fate?
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witness
Lead #2Were there any witnesses at the restaurant or in the surrounding area who saw Ernestine leave or interact with anyone?
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vehicle
Lead #3How did her vehicle end up at 41st and Chestnut Street, and was it examined for forensic evidence?
Ernestine Covington, a 33-year-old woman, disappeared in Philadelphia on May 16, 1986, after being last seen at approximately 2:30 AM at a restaurant near 49th and Baltimore. Her blue 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier was found abandoned months later on December 2, 1986, near 41st and Chestnut Street, raising questions about what happened in those intervening months. Despite decades of investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department, her fate remains unknown and the case remains open.
Case
#3480
Philadelphia Police Department - 24th District (East Division)
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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 #4What circumstances led to the discovery of her abandoned vehicle in December 1986?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP785. Missing person: Ernestine Covington.
Last known contact: 1986-05-16 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Circumstances: Ernestine was last seen at approximately 2:30am at a restaurant in the vicinity of 49th and Baltimore in Philadelphia, PA.
Her vehicle, described as a blue 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier, was later located abandoned on December 2, 1986 near 41st and Chestnut St. in Philadelphia, PA.
Demographics: 33 years, Female, Black / African American. Physical description: 5 ft 1 in, 130 lbs, hair: Black, eyes: Brown.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Red slacks, black jacket.; Footwear: black shoes,. Investigating agency: Philadelphia Police Department - 24th District (East Division) | 86-18-33853.
Timeline of Events
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1986-05-16
02:30Last Sighting
Ernestine was last seen at a restaurant in the vicinity of 49th and Baltimore in Philadelphia, PA at approximately 2:30 AM
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1986-12-02
Vehicle Located
Her blue 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier was found abandoned near 41st and Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, PA
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 16, 1986 at 2:30 AM
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
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Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2156863093
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Case Information
Incident:May 16, 1986 at 2:30 AM
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2156863093
You can remain anonymous