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 in the two hours between her son's death and her disappearance? Did anyone see her during this critical window?
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location
Lead #2Why did Frances disappear from her parents' home rather than seeking immediate help or remaining with family after the tragedy?
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witness
Lead #3Were there any witnesses to Frances leaving the farm at 4:00 p.m.? Did anyone see her on roads or in vehicles leaving Ogden?
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. She had managed to carry her dying son down the mountain but vanished at 4:00 p.m. that same day from the family farm. Despite extensive investigation by Ogden Police across the United States, Frances has never been located and her disappearance remains unsolved after nearly 80 years.
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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 #4What clothing was she wearing when she disappeared (dark grey slacks, blue blouse, brown shoes)? Has any of this clothing ever been recovered?
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clue
Lead #5Given the extensive investigation across the United States, did police ever identify credible sightings or leads that suggested where she may have gone?
Have information about any of these leads?
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 began hiking east from the farm toward Bear Cave. They encountered loose shale and began sliding. Her son and nephew fell over cliffs.
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1946-05-20
14:00Son's death
Frances carried her injured 6-year-old son down the mountain, but he died while she was carrying him. Her nephew survived and was taken to the hospital.
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1946-05-20
16:00Frances disappears
At 4:00 p.m., two hours after her son's death, Frances disappeared from her parents' home in Ogden. A missing person report was filed.
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1946-05-20
Investigation begins
Ogden Police Department initiated investigation and pursued numerous leads across the United States.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 20, 1946 at 2:00 PM
Last Updated:July 23, 2026
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Phone: 8013958221
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Case Information
Incident:May 20, 1946 at 2:00 PM
Last Updated:July 23, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8013958221
You can remain anonymous