3 Right: Age-progressed by NCMEC to 24 years; 29 years; 34 years
3 Right: Age-progressed by NCMEC to 24 years; 29 years; 34 years
Name: Tabitha Diane Brewer
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: April 27, 1998
Location Last Seen: Shawnee, Johnson County, Kansas
Date of Birth: August 22, 1981
Age: 16 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 115 lbs
Hair Color: Brown, shoulder length
Eye Color: Brown
Nickname/Alias: Tabby
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Three piercings in one ear, two in the other; scar on left hand, under right eye, on left knee; tattoo of initials "TD" on left ankle; skull and left wrist were previously fractured because of a near-fatal car wreck when she was 14-years old; wire inserted into jaw after an additional injury
Dentals: Available; wire inserted into jaw after an injury
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Available, entered into CODIS
Clothing: "Kansas City Chiefs" sweatshirt, blue jeans
Jewelry: Earrings; necklace; bracelet; silver ring with purple stone
Additional Personal Items: Comb; pocket knife
Tabitha and her boyfriend, Nicholas Travis, disappeared on the evening of April 27, 1998. They were last seen getting into a classmate's car outside of the apartment of Tabitha's father.
Three days later, Tabitha's charred and gasoline-soaked purse was found in a dumpster outside a laundery mat at the corner of 55th Street and The Paseo Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri. Inside her purse was found Nicholas and Tabitha's ID cards, Nicholas' checkbook, and other personal items. Four months later, Nicholas' body was found buried in a shallow grave behind a duplex just north of the laundry mat.
In 2006, the primary suspect, the acquaintance last seen with Tabitha and Nicholas, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The motive was believed to have been a $40,000 settlement Tabitha received after a car wreck, although she was unable to access the money because it was in a trust fund. In 2009, after a five hour deliberation, the jury acquitted him.
In 2014, the suspect killed five people during a home invasion. He was sentenced to five life sentences and won't ever be eligible for parole.
Foul play is suspected in Tabatha's disappearance. Her remains have yet to be found.
Agency Name: Shawnee Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Unknown
Agency Phone Number: 913-631-2151
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: A9802004
Agency Name: Kansas City Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Sarah Jones
Agency Phone Number: 816-349-6475
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 98-088088
NCIC Case Number: M118384132
NamUs Case Number: 1998
NCMEC Case Number: 846896
NamUs
KBI
NCMEC
The Kansas City Star - Jun. 13, 2000 & Mar. 4, 2009
Added: 3/9/07; Last Updated: 11/21/22 - By: hb
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information is from the time of disappearance.
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