The person at the center of this case
Kelly Kay McGinness
Missing Person · Open
43 years waiting · since 1983
Missing Person: Kelly Kay McGinness
Justice for Kelly Kay McGinness — the trail went cold in 1983, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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location
Lead #1Why did Kelly check into the motel and what was her intended length of stay?
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evidence
Lead #2What personal items did she leave behind in the room and what do they suggest about her departure?
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witness
Lead #3Did motel staff or other guests observe Kelly leaving or see anything unusual?
Kelly Kay McGinness, an 18-year-old woman, checked into the Three Bears Motel in Des Moines, Washington on June 28, 1983, left personal items in her room, and disappeared without returning. Over four decades later, the circumstances of her disappearance remain unknown—whether she left voluntarily, encountered foul play, or met with an accident. The King County Sheriff's Office continues to seek information that might explain what happened to Kelly and bring closure to her case.
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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 #4Were there any sightings of Kelly or her clothing after June 28, 1983?
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 MP14131. Missing person: Kelly Kay McGinness.
Last known contact: 1983-06-28 in Des Moines, King, WA. Circumstances: Kelly McGinniss checked into the Three Bears Motel Des Moines, WA, left some personal items in the room and never returned.
Demographics: 18 years, Female, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 5 in, 160 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Blue.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Blue jeans; Tan short sleeve sweater; Tan long camel hair coat; Footwear: Beige spiked heels. Investigating agency: King County Sheriff's Office | 86-228466 | 2012-03-05.
Timeline of Events
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1983-06-28
Last known contact at Three Bears Motel
Kelly Kay McGinness checked into the Three Bears Motel in Des Moines, WA, left personal items in the room, and never returned.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:June 28, 1983
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
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Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2062632080
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Case Information
Incident:June 28, 1983
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2062632080
You can remain anonymous