Name: Maud Robinson Crawford
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: March 2, 1957
Location Last Seen: Camden, Ouachita County, Arkansas
Date of Birth: June 22, 1891
Age: 65 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 165 lbs.
Hair Color: Gray with a reddish hue
Eye Color: Blue
Nickname/Alias: "Miss Maud"
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Very fair skin with freckles
Dentals: Unknown
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown
Clothing: Unknown
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Wears eyeglasses
Maud Crawford was last seen at her residence on Clifton Street during the evening hours of March 2, 1957. Her husband, Clyde, was not at home that evening, as he went to a movie at the Malco Theater and Carter Liquor Store. Maud was sitting on her couch stringing beans when the husband left their home. She had spoke with a cousin via telephone aroundt 8:30PM that evening.
Clyde returned around 11PM and saw that the lights were on inside the residence and on both porches. Their television set was turned on and Maud's pan of beans sat on a table. Her purse was inside the home and there was a significant amount of money still inside her wallet. Several legal files were spread out on a table. All of the doors were unlocked and Maud's vehicle was parked in their driveway with the keys in the ignition, the way she normally left the car for the evening.
The Crawford's Dalmatian usually would not let anyone near Maud, but the dog seemed unperturbed when Clyde arrived home that evening. Clyde told authorities when he came in and didn't find his wife, he asked the dog, "Where's Maud?" and the Dalmatian went to the door. Nothing seemed amiss near the residence, but there was no sign of Maud at the scene. Mass searches were conducted, and the case was publicized across the country. The FBI placed Maud on its official missing persons list. She was never heard from again. In 1969, the Probate Court of Ouachita County declared Maud dead, a victim of foul play.
Maud was the first female attorney in Camden, Arkansas, working for the Camden law firm of Gaughan, McClellan, and Laney for 30 years (Democratic Senator John McClellan was a former member of the law firm). Mrs. Crawford worked as a title expert for the firm. She was also the city's first female city council member, and very active in Camden society and civic matters. She also served as personal guardian for Mrs. Henry (Rose) Berg, a widow (probably suffering from dementia or Altzheimer's disease) whose had an estate worth millions of dollars.
In 1986, Camden native, Beth Brickell, wrote a series of articles in the Arkansas Gazette that unearthed the mystery of what happened to Maud. Henry Myar "Mike" Berg was believed to be connected to her strange disappearance in an effort to silence her about his criminal efforts to change the will of his aunt, Mrs. Rose Berg, in favor of him receiving her entire estate upon her death. He did receive his aunt's entire fortune, totalling around $20 million. He died in 1975, and no charges were ever brought against anyone. Maud's remains have never been found.
Agency Name: Camden Police Department Criminal Investigation Division
Agency Contact Person: John Voss, CID Commander
Agency Phone Number: (870) 836-5755
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 50978
NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs
The Disappearance of Maud Crawford
Northwest Arkansas Times - Mar. 5, 1957
Camden News - Jul. 16, 1957
Arkansas Gazette - Jul. 25, 1986
Added: Prior to 2011; Last Updated: 02/13/2024 - By: kc
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information is from the time of disappearance.
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