Cheryl Hanson was seven when she disappeared on the short walk to her cousin’s house in Aurora, Ontario. On May 31, 1974, she left her home on Bloomington Road around 6:30 p.m. for what should have been a ten-minute journey. She was wearing a red coat over a dark brown checked sweater and matching pants, white leather shoes, and a gold necklace with a medallion. In her hands she carried a paper bag with white pajamas patterned with a red floral design for a planned sleepover.

Bloomington Road was then a dirt road with scattered farms and houses. When Cheryl never arrived, a large search followed that included police, volunteers, aircraft and military personnel, but no trace of her was found. A man later confessed while in a psychiatric facility, but his claims could not be substantiated and were dismissed. The York Regional Police continue to list the case as unsolved.

If anyone remembers the Bloomington Road area or has information about Cheryl’s movements that evening, please share what you know with investigators.