A woman went missing in western Kansas, and her case has remained a mystery for decades.
On Feb. 28, 2001, Stephanie Welch was last seen in Lakin, Kan. — about 25 miles west of Garden City. According to government records, Stephanie had dropped off her two kids at their child care providers that morning. Stephanie was in the process of getting a divorce and had returned to her former home to pick up some items left behind. The car she was driving was found abandoned at a mobile home park southeast of town.
She was planning to get married that summer. If alive, she would be in her 40’s today.
STEPHANIE OR STEFANIE WELCH
Missing from: Lakin, Kan.
Missing since: Feb. 28, 2001
Age then: 23
Height: 5’8’’
Weight: 190 pounds
Hair: Curly brown
Eyes: Blue
Nickname/Alias: Stephanie Petersen
Distinguishing marks: belly button piercing; a tattoo on her back and right breast; a scar on her buttocks and right elbow.
If you have information that could help the case, contact the Kearny County Sheriff’s Office at (620) 355-6211.
If you have a tip on a case, you can email me at annettelawless@hotmail.com with those details. Thank you.