Introduction

The disappearance of 6-year-old Sarah Elizabeth Avon from Joliet, Illinois, on July 21, 1981, remains an enduring mystery that has haunted her family and the local community for over four decades. Despite extensive investigations and numerous leads, Sarah's fate is still unknown, leaving a void that continues to seek closure.

The Day Sarah Vanished

On that fateful summer evening, Sarah and her 5-year-old sister were playing near their home on Oscar Avenue, close to Richards Street. An argument with another child prompted Sarah to walk away from the group. She was last seen around 8:20 p.m., and when her family realized she was missing around 9:00 p.m., they immediately reported it to the authorities. Despite exhaustive searches involving law enforcement and volunteers, no trace of Sarah was found. 

Early Investigations and Challenges

In the initial stages, the Will County Sheriff's Office faced numerous challenges. The lack of witnesses and physical evidence hindered progress. Search efforts included dragging a nearby quarry and canvassing the neighborhood, but these efforts yielded no significant leads. The community was left in shock, grappling with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of a young child from their midst. 

A Deathbed Revelation and Subsequent Searches

A significant development occurred in 1993 when Ernest Wilson Sr., a former neighbor of the Avon family, made a cryptic deathbed revelation. Unable to speak, he drew a triangular shape with a circle inside, which some family members believed represented his former property. His nephew, Robert Tadej, informed authorities that Wilson's son had implicated himself and another individual in Sarah's death. This led to a search of Wilson's former property on Miller Avenue. Despite these efforts, no evidence was uncovered, leaving the case unresolved. ...Read More