Vanished in the City by the Bay: The Unsolved Disappearance of Kristen Modafferi

A Promising Summer in San Francisco

Kristen Deborah Modafferi, an 18-year-old student from North Carolina State University, arrived in San Francisco on June 1, 1997, to embark on a summer adventure. Having just completed her freshman year as an industrial design major, Kristen planned to attend a photography course at the University of California, Berkeley, while working part-time jobs to support herself. She secured employment at Spinelli's Coffee Shop in the Crocker Galleria Mall and at Café Museo in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Kristen found housing in Oakland through Craigslist, sharing a residence on Jayne Avenue with four male roommates.

The Day She Disappeared

On June 23, 1997, Kristen completed her shift at Spinelli's around 3:00 p.m. She had mentioned to coworkers her intention to visit Baker Beach that afternoon, possibly to attend a party. Approximately 45 minutes after her shift ended, she was seen on the second floor of the Crocker Galleria conversing with an unidentified blonde woman. Surveillance footage later captured Kristen withdrawing cash from a Wells Fargo ATM; this was the last confirmed sighting of her.

Initial Investigation and Delayed Response

Kristen's failure to attend her photography class at UC Berkeley the following day raised concerns, as she had prepaid $925 for the course. Additionally, she left behind a $400 paycheck at Spinelli's. Her roommates noticed her absence but did not report it immediately. It wasn't until June 27, after Kristen's father left a voicemail that one roommate returned his call, revealing that Kristen hadn't been seen since June 23. Her parents promptly flew to San Francisco and reported her missing to the Oakland Police Department. However, the police initially treated the case as a runaway situation, delaying the investigation until June 30.

Clues and Dead Ends

Bloodhounds traced Kristen's scent to a Muni 38 Geary bus stop near the Crocker Galleria and then to Sutro Heights Park, where the trail vanished. In her room, investigators found a Bay Guardian newspaper with a personal ad circled, seeking female friends for various activities. The individual who placed the ad was never identified, and it's unclear if Kristen responded to it. ...Read More

Share

Comments (0)

Leave A Comment