Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office asks for help in solving 1987 missing person case

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Sangamon County Sheriff's Office is investigating the disappearance of a woman in 1987.

Brenda S. Bottoms was reported missing from Auburn, Illinois in June 1987.

Bottoms, who was 22 years old at the time, was last seen the night of June 28, 1987. She left her residence in the 200 block of North 5th St. in Auburn with a female acquaintance. The two walked to a local tavern.

While walking home, they encountered two men and went to an apartment complex in the 200 block of North 5th St. to talk.

Brenda was last seen getting into a brown vehicle with dents on the passenger side.

Witnesses said she appeared to know the occupant or occupants of the vehicle and got in on her own. She has never been seen or heard from since.

Throughout 2025, the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office Investigations Division conducted multiple interviews with people connected to the case.

Investigators now say they have developed new information as a result of those efforts that show more people may have been present and may have seen Brenda before her disappearance.

"The Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who may have information related to the case, no matter how minor it may seem, to come forward," said Sheriff Paula Crouch. "Even small details could prove significant in advancing this investigation and helping us provide answers to Brenda's family."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office Investigations Division at (217) 753-6840.

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