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Unsolved October 6, 1985 Missing Person

Terri Lynn Hollis

Status Unsolved
Type Missing Person
Date October 6, 1985
Location Hawthorne, California
Victim Age 11
Gender Female

Eleven-year-old Terri Lynn Hollis vanished after leaving a friend's house in Hawthorne, California. A witness saw her get into a blue van. Despite extensive searches and investigations, she was never found.

On October 6, 1985, eleven-year-old Terri Lynn Hollis left a friend's apartment in Hawthorne, California at approximately 7:00 p.m. to walk the short distance to her own home. She was walking along 120th Street when a witness saw her approach and get into a blue van. Terri was never seen again.

The investigation focused on identifying the blue van and its driver. Despite canvassing the neighborhood and pursuing numerous tips, detectives were unable to locate the vehicle or identify the person driving it. Terri's family and friends reported that she would not typically get into a stranger's vehicle, leading some investigators to believe she may have known the driver.

The Hawthorne Police Department worked the case for years, following leads across Southern California. The case was featured on missing children posters and databases including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Age-progression images of Terri were created showing what she might look like as an adult.

Despite decades of investigation, Terri Lynn Hollis has never been found, and no suspect has been publicly identified. The case remains open with the Hawthorne Police Department.

missing person California child abduction 1980s
1985-10-06
Terri Lynn Hollis is seen getting into a blue van in Hawthorne, California.
1985-10-06
She is reported missing; police begin searching for the van.
1985-10-07
Hawthorne police launch full investigation.

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Cold cases are solved when someone comes forward. Even a detail that seems minor can matter. If you have any information about this case, contact law enforcement through one of these channels:

  • FBI Tips (tips.fbi.gov) — submit a tip online to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
  • NamUs (namus.nij.ojp.gov) — the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System accepts information on missing persons cases
  • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
  • The local police department or sheriff's office in California, or the state bureau of investigation

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