The Disappearance of John & Shelly Markley

Episode 249

As Christmas of 1995 drew near, many families in rural Ohio drew closer and felt themselves caught up in the joy and pagentry of the holiday season. Unfortunately, for one family, the holiday would forever be associated with pain and grief, loss and doubt, a disappearance and the unknown.

John and Shelly Markley were devoted and loving parents to their five children. During a week already marked by a family tragedy, John and Shelly mysteriously vanished on the morning of Friday, December 15th. The last sighting of the couple was made by a bank teller who waited on them at the drive up window. In addition to John and Shelly, the woman saw a third individual, a man who has never been identified.

Investigators found themselves caught up in a case with just one witness, almost no physical evidence and few in any clues. As the case unfolded, detectives would learn a lot about John and Shelly and everyone else in their lives. Within weeks an unknown caller began ringing the family home, demanding cash in exchange for the return of the missing couple and that would take the investigation in a completely different direction.

Nearly thirty years later, what became of John and Shelly remains a mystery and while law enforcement is certain there are people locally who know much more than they have shared, the case continues growing cold.

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Sources:

John J. Markley Jr. – The Charley Project

Shelly Renee Markley – The Charley Project

Dec 21, 1995, page 14 - The Daily Advocate at Newspapers.com

Dec 23, 1995, page 20 - The Plain Dealer at Newspapers.com

Jan 05, 1996, page 3 - Chillicothe Gazette at Newspapers.com

Jan 05, 1996, page 1 - Marysville Journal-Tribune at Newspapers.com

Jan 05, 1996, page 1 - Bryan Times at Newspapers.com

Jan 05, 1996, page 3 - The Marion Star at Newspapers.com

Feb 10, 1996, page 102 - The Plain Dealer at Newspapers.com

Feb 23, 1997, page 198 - The Plain Dealer at Newspapers.com