The person at the center of this case
Frances Shurtleff Sessions
Missing Person · Open - Unsolved
80 years waiting · since 1946
Missing Person: Frances Shurtleff Sessions
Justice for Frances Shurtleff Sessions — the trail went cold in 1946, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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timeline
Lead #1What was Frances' mental and emotional state during the two hours between her son's death and her disappearance? Did anyone speak with her during this critical window?
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evidence
Lead #2Were there any signs of her leaving voluntarily (packed belongings, notes) or any evidence suggesting foul play at the parents' home?
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location
Lead #3Why did Frances disappear from the safety of her parents' home rather than seeking comfort or medical attention after such a traumatic event?
On May 20, 1946, Frances Shurtleff Sessions, age 26, disappeared from her parents' home in Ogden, Utah, just hours after a tragic hiking accident near Bear Cave in which her 6-year-old son died and her nephew was critically injured. Witnesses saw her leave the farm around 4:00 p.m., but her whereabouts after that remain unknown despite extensive investigation across the United States. Nearly 80 years later, Frances remains missing and the circumstances of her disappearance—whether she fled in grief, met with foul play, or suffered an accident—have never been resolved.
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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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witness
Lead #4Who were the last people to see Frances alive at 4:00 p.m., and what was her demeanor or behavior at that moment?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP89538. Missing person: Frances Shurtleff Sessions.
Last known contact: 1946-05-20 in Ogden, Weber, UT. Circumstances: On 5/20/1946, Frances Taylor (Shurtleff) Sessions, her son, and her nephew, were visiting Frances’ father who was farming in the 100 Block above Harrison in Ogden, Utah.
At approximately 2:00 p.m. Frances and the two boys went on a hike straight east from the farm to Bear Cave.
As they were hiking, they got into loose shale and began sliding. Frances, who was sliding herself tried to grab the boys but was unable and the boys fell over some cliffs.
Frances was able to carry her son down the mountain but he died while she was carrying him. The other boy was able to walk part of the way down where he was picked up by Frances' Her nephew was taken to the hospital and survived.
At 4:00 p.m., two hours after her 6-year-old son passed, Frances disappeared from her parent’s home. A missing person report was made reporting she left her father’s home in Ogden.
The Ogden Police investigators pursued numerous leads across the United States, but Frances has never been located and remains a missing person. Demographics: 26 years, Female, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 3 in, 97 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Gray. Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Was Last seen in Dark Grey Slacks, Blue Blouse, Brown Shoes.
Investigating agency: Ogden City Police Department | 22G14442 | 1946-05-20.
Timeline of Events
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1946-05-20
14:00Hiking accident near Bear Cave
Frances, her 6-year-old son, and nephew hiked east from the farm to Bear Cave. All three slid on loose shale; the boys fell over cliffs. Frances' son died during descent; nephew survived.
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1946-05-20
16:00Frances disappears from parents' home
Two hours after her son's death, Frances left her father's home in Ogden. She was last seen wearing dark grey slacks, blue blouse, and brown shoes.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 20, 1946 at 2:00 PM
Last Updated:July 28, 2026
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Phone: 8013958221
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Case Information
Incident:May 20, 1946 at 2:00 PM
Last Updated:July 28, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8013958221
You can remain anonymous