Right: circa 1984
Right: circa 1984
Name: Carolyn Elizabeth Lawson
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: September 11, 1991
Location Last Seen: Jasper, AL, USA
Date of Birth: April 22, 1966
Age: 25 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'5" - 5'7"
Weight: 135 - 145 lbs
Hair Color: Brown.
Eye Color: Blue
Nickname/Alias: nee Smith; Carrie
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Wears glasses
Dentals: Unavailable
Fingerprints: Available
DNA: Unavailable
Clothing: Red t-shirt; green khaki shorts; white socks; white Reebok sneakers, size 9
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
In the early morning hours of September 11, 1991, Carrie answered a phone call from a woman who claimed she was a nurse at a local hospital, who said a family member had suffered a heart attack. When Carrie and her husband walked outside to go to their car, they were met by a masked gunman, who made Carrie bind her husband with duct tape. The man put Carrie in the couple's Ford Explorer and drove away. Carrie's husband freed himself, kicked the door open to their home, and called for help. A $300,000 ransom demand was made for her release. Despite paying it, Carrie was not returned, and has not been seen or heard from since her abduction.
On October 1, 1991, Jerry Bland, whose house was being staked out by the FBI, shot, and killed himself. Authorities found most of the ransom money in his home as well as other evidence. Later that same day, Karen McPherson was arrested. She later pled guilty to the kidnapping.
Despite numerous tips and a private investigator hired by Carrie's family, her body has never been found. A court declared her legally dead in 1993.
Agency Name: Jasper Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Inv. Lt. Matt Dozier
Agency Phone Number: 205-221-6790
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 091191-09
Agency Name: Alabama Attorney General's Office
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 334-242-7300
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 30609-001
NamUs Case Number: 4798
NamUs
Alabama Journal (Montgomery, AL) - Oct. 1, 1991
The Huntsville Times - Sept. 11, 1998
Added: Prior to 2011; Last Updated: 2/26/22 - By: Doe-NamUs-App
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information is from the time of disappearance.
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