The person at the center of this case
Mattie Lou Zabel
Missing Person · Open - Unsolved
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
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evidence
Lead #1Why was Mattie's purse left locked in her car at Black Hawk Park? What does this suggest about her state of mind or circumstances?
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location
Lead #2What was the significance of Black Hawk Park? Did she go there voluntarily or was she taken there?
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witness
Lead #3Were there any witnesses at Black Hawk Park or along her likely route from home or work on March 21, 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 locked car with her purse inside—suggesting an unexpected departure. Despite extensive search efforts by local police, county deputies, search dogs, divers, and a National Guard helicopter, no trace of her has ever been found. Nearly five decades later, her disappearance remains unsolved, and investigators continue to seek information about what happened to her that day.
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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 she expected to return soon—did anyone see or hear from her after she left home that day?
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 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
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1978-03-21
Mattie Lou Zabel reported missing
Mattie Lou Zabel, a teacher's aide at River Hills School, was reported missing to Cedar Falls Police Department. She left a frozen chicken thawing in her kitchen sink and took no clothing, suggesting an unexpected departure.
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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 still inside.
🕵️
1978-03-21
Extensive search initiated
Black Hawk County Sheriff's Deputies, search dogs, divers, and a National Guard helicopter conducted extensive search operations with no results.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:March 21, 1978
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
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Phone: 3192738612
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Case Information
Incident:March 21, 1978
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 3192738612
You can remain anonymous