Gary, Indiana – October 24, 1989 – Benita Elizabeth Moore Spears, a young mother of two and full-time student at Indiana University Northwest, vanished without a trace on the evening of October 24, 1989, under mysterious circumstances. At just 23 years old, Benita had her life ahead of her—she was working hard to rebuild after a tumultuous relationship and was known for her warmth, intelligence, and commitment to her family.
What Happened?
Benita’s disappearance remains one of Gary, Indiana’s most haunting cold cases. The day before her vanishing, she was seen at school by her mother—both were students there, and that was the last time anyone would see Benita alive. She failed to return home that evening, didn’t show up for work, and didn’t call. It was completely out of character for her to disappear without a word, especially considering how important her family and education were to her.
But what made her disappearance even more chilling was the context surrounding it.
The night before, her ex-husband, John Lee “Johnny” Spears Jr., was released from Lake County Jail. Just a year prior, he had violently abducted Benita at gunpoint and beaten her. After serving time for criminal confinement, Benita had filed for divorce.
After his release, Johnny was spotted driving Benita’s car, a 1981 Oldsmobile Omega, with license plate 45P2981. The car had been parked at her home before it mysteriously disappeared, just like she did.
Investigation and Clues
Months later, Benita’s car was discovered abandoned in a South Shore Line parking lot in East Chicago, Illinois, but by that point, she was still missing. Despite his presence in her car, Johnny Spears refused to take a polygraph test, and to this day, he remains a prime suspect in Benita’s case.
In 1990, Johnny was charged with attempted murder in another case, but he has never been charged in connection with Benita’s disappearance.
Benita’s Life Before Disappearing
Benita was a talented, loving woman who had a passion for cooking, sewing, and playing the piano. She worked part-time at Inland Steel Co. while pursuing her degree at Indiana University Northwest. Her life was beginning to stabilize after the trauma she endured in her marriage, and she had a bright future ahead, full of dreams for her children and herself.
At the time of her disappearance, Benita was described as 5’2″, weighing 120 lbs. She had a warm, caring personality that made her a cherished mother, friend, and student. Her sudden and unexplained disappearance has left her family heartbroken, especially her mother, who still grieves for the daughter she lost.
The Mystery Remains
Now, more than 35 years later, the mystery of Benita Elizabeth Moore Spears’ disappearance remains unsolved. Her children, now grown, continue to live with the uncertainty of what happened to their mother. Her family still seeks answers, holding onto the hope that someone knows what happened on that fateful day.
What Can You Do?
If you have any information about what happened to Benita Elizabeth Moore Spears, please contact the Gary Police Department at (219) 881-1214. Her family continues to search for justice and closure in her case.
Benita’s legacy of love, passion, and resilience has not been forgotten. Her story lives on in the hearts of her loved ones, and the search for answers continues as the community refuses to let her memory fade. Someone knows what happened, and it’s time for the truth to be revealed.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
The post MISSING: The Disappearance of Benita Elizabeth Moore Spears – A Mother, Student, and Woman Who Vanished first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
