Linda Dianne Russ, 26, was last seen alive on August 23, 1972, at Daniel’s Den in Ocean View, Norfolk. She was reported missing on September 1, 1972. On December 27, 1972, skeletal remains identified as Russ were found in a ditch at the corner of Inland Road and Deepwater Drive in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake.

At the time she disappeared Russ was slated to be a witness in a burglary trial against Cecil Frenchy Phelps. Friends who were with her at Daniel’s Den said Phelps was in the bar that night and that they heard the two discussing the trial. Another scheduled witness against Phelps, Frank Wiles, was found dead two days after Russ’s remains were recovered. Phelps was later charged and convicted in Wiles’s death and served 40 years, but he was never charged in Russ’s killing.

The medical examiner could not determine a specific cause of death because of the condition of the remains. The case remains an unsolved homicide, and a reward of up to $1,500 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. If anyone knew Linda, saw her in late August 1972, or has information about her disappearance or ties to the burglary case, please come forward.