Name: Ruth Louise Martin
Case Classification: Involuntary
Missing Since: June 2, 1976
Location Last Seen: Lincoln, Illinois.
Date of Birth: Circa 1925
Age: 51 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'7"-5'9"
Weight: 155 lbs.
Hair Color: Dark brown
Eye Color: Brown
Nickname/Alias: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Fair complexion.
Dentals: Unknown
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown
Clothing: Unknown
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
Martin, a real estate sales woman, was last seen on June 2, 1976 at her home in Lincoln.
Her car was found abandoned with a flat tire at the parking lot of the Holiday Inn in Bloomington, IL. Police ruled out that Ruth Martin has stayed at the inn.
Russell Smrekar, a former Lincoln College student, was convicted of murdering Robin and Jay Fry and is serving 200 to 600 years at Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet. Jay Fry was a clerk who saw Smrekar steal two steaks from a local grocery store, and he was prepared to testify at Smrekar’s shoplifting trial. Smrekar is also believed to be responsible for the disappearance of Ruth Martin who was to be a minor witness in the trial, and of Michael Mansfield of Rolling Meadows, a Lincoln College student who was to testify against Smrekar in another case involving a stolen guitar and records. Both Martin and Mansfield are presumed to have been killed by Smrekar, although their bodies were never found.
Agency Name: Lincoln Police Department
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 217-732-2151
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: M8361601
NamUs Case Number: 39331
Added: Prior to 2011; Last Updated: 01-14-2022 - By: Htmlcnvtr
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information is from the time of disappearance.
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