The person at the center of this case
Mattie Lou Zabel
Missing Person · Open
48 years waiting · since 1978
Missing Person: Mattie Lou Zabel
Justice for Mattie Lou Zabel — the trail went cold in 1978, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🔍
evidence
Lead #1Why was Mattie's car locked at Black Hawk Park when she left home to prepare dinner? Who locked it and when?
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location
Lead #2What is the significance of Black Hawk Park? Was it a location Mattie frequented, or does its selection suggest knowledge of the area by someone else?
👁️
witness
Lead #3Did anyone see Mattie or her vehicle between her home and Black Hawk Park on March 21-22, 1978?
Mattie Lou Zabel, a 45-year-old teacher's aide, disappeared on March 21, 1978, from Cedar Falls, Iowa, leaving behind a thawing chicken and her purse in a locked car at Black Hawk Park the following day. Despite extensive searches involving police, sheriff's deputies, search dogs, divers, and a National Guard helicopter, no trace of her has ever been found. Her sudden disappearance under unusual circumstances—with no clothing taken and insufficient resources to leave voluntarily—remains deeply puzzling and warrants continued attention.
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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 #4The frozen chicken left thawing suggests an abrupt, unexpected departure. What event or person caused her to leave immediately?
⏰
timeline
Lead #5How much time elapsed between when Mattie was last seen at home and when her car was discovered at the park?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP17179. Missing person: Mattie Lou Zabel.
Last known contact: 1978-03-21 in Cedar Falls, Black Hawk, IA. Circumstances: Mattie worked as a teacher's aide at River Hills School in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
She was reported missing to the Cedar Falls Police Department on March 21, 1978. She left a frozen chicken thawing in the kitchen sink for dinner.
No clothing was taken and she would not have had the assets to walk away. The day after she went missing, one of her sons found her car at Black Hawk Park in Cedar Falls.
The vehicle was found locked with Zabel’s purse inside. An extensive search by Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Deputies, search dogs, divers and a National Guard helicopter turned up no trace of Mattie.
Demographics: 45 years, Female, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 2 in, 118 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: Cedar Falls Police Department | 78-459 | 1978-03-21.
Timeline of Events
👤
1978-03-21
Mattie Lou Zabel reported missing
Mattie Lou Zabel was reported missing to Cedar Falls Police Department. She left a frozen chicken thawing in the kitchen sink for dinner and took no clothing.
🔍
1978-03-22
Vehicle discovered at Black Hawk Park
One of Mattie's sons found her locked car at Black Hawk Park in Cedar Falls with her purse inside.
🕵️
1978-03-22
Extensive search launched
Black Hawk County Sheriff's Deputies, search dogs, divers, and a National Guard helicopter conducted extensive searches with no results.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:March 21, 1978
Last Updated:July 22, 2026
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Phone: 3192738612
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Case Information
Incident:March 21, 1978
Last Updated:July 22, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 3192738612
You can remain anonymous