A husband and wife vanished from northeast Kansas more than 10 years ago, and their disappearance remains a mystery to this day.

Mary Lou and Billie ‘Bob’ Black walked out of their Atchison home on Sept. 11, 2009. According to the Topeka Capitol Journal, the two got into their blue 1990 Honda Civic and have not been seen or heard from since.

A Silver Alert was created for Mary, then 72, and Bob, then 74. The high school sweethearts suffered from severe health issues; Mary was in the later stage of Alzheimer’s disease. There are theories that the two drove into the Missouri River. Some have searched areas, including the river, for the couple. Nothing has turned up with those searches.

MARY LOU BLACK

Missing from: Atchison, Kan.

Missing since: Sept. 11, 2009

Age when reported missing: 72

Height then: 5’1’’

Weight then: 115 pounds

Hair: Gray

Eyes: Brown

Distinguishing marks: wears glasses


BILLY ‘BOB’ BLACK

Missing from: Atchison, Kan.

Missing since: Sept. 11, 2009

Age when reported missing: 74

Height then: 6’0’’

Weight then: 190 pounds

Hair: Gray

Eyes: Brown

Distinguishing marks: beard, mustache, wears glasses


If you have information that could help the case, contact the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office at (913) 804-6080 or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (785) 296-4017. You can also contact the KBI with your tip by clicking here.

If you have a tip on a case, you can email me at annettelawless@hotmail.com with those details. Thank you. 

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