Dorothy Ann SPENCE Missing Person Case

Dorothy Ann

SPENCE

63

32

65 inches

65 inches

130 lbs

130 lbs

Indigenous

Female

In the summer of 1995, a 32-year-old Indigenous woman named Dorothy Ann Spence vanished from the streets of Vancouver, British Columbia. Born on August 6, 1962, Dorothy was a sister to eight siblings, five brothers and three sisters, with whom she maintained contact. At the time of her disappearance, she was facing personal struggles, including homelessness and substance dependency. The last confirmed sighting of Dorothy was by a family member in August 1995, who saw her panhandling under a bridge in Vancouver. Though some records state her official missing date as August 6, 1995, this later sighting on August 17th is the last known time she was seen by a relative. Dorothy is described as being 5'5" tall and weighing 130 pounds, with curly black hair and brown eyes. She has a distinctive tattoo on her left forearm of a kiss, a heart, and the word "MOM". Dorothy's family has expressed that it was not in her character to disappear without a word, sparking immediate concern for her welfare. She was known to be involved in the sex trade in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, an area that was tragically familiar with the disappearances of other women. This fact led police to believe early on that she could have been the victim of a serial murderer. The investigation into her disappearance has remained open for decades, a painful and unresolved chapter for her loved ones who continue to search for answers. Her family, including her sister, has shared their enduring love for her and their ongoing quest to understand what happened. The case of Dorothy Ann Spence is one of many that have cast a long shadow over the community, highlighting the vulnerability of Indigenous women and girls. Foul play has not been ruled out in her disappearance. Living a high-risk lifestyle at the time she went missing, her case shares distressing similarities with many others from the same area and era. Despite the passage of time, her file remains an unsolved missing persons case with the Vancouver Police Department. For her five brothers and three sisters, and the wider community, the lack of closure is a persistent sorrow. The search for Dorothy continues, a testament to her family's love and the hope that one day they will find the answers they have been seeking for so long.

Tattoo Left Forearm, Kiss, Heart, "MOM"

Aug 06, 1995

Vancouver

British Columbia

Vancouver Police Department

Vancouver

British Columbia

[email protected]

604-717-2530

604-717-2530

Law Enforcement

MIS 95-290934

Vancouver Police Department

Black

Brown

Brown

Build: Medium; Complexion: Dark; Hair details: Curly, Shoulder

No