The Disappearance of Bethany Ruby Bower

Source: Facebook

Bethany Ruby Bower has been missing since late July 2021. The then-38-year-old woman was last seen in Newton, Illinois. Prior to her disappearance, Bethany was active on social media. She last posted on Facebook on July 28th, 2021. After that, Bethany seemingly fell out-of-touch. She was reported missing on July 31st, 2021.

Bethany reportedly left the Newton residence she shared with her sister, Barb Lingafelter, on July 24th, 2021. She left the home with several of her personal belongings, including her dog. Two days later, Bethany's dog and a purse containing her credit cards turned back up on the residence's front porch. 

Bethany continued to be active on Facebook until July 28th. Her final Facebook post was a picture containing a quote that reads, "You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing everything with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you that means everyone can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass."

Source: Facebook

What happened after Bethany made that Facebook post remains a mystery to this day. Her sudden absence was worrisome to Bethany's family members, especially her sister, Barb. Not only were Bethany and Barb living together at the time of Bethany's disappearance, the two sisters were also taking care of a relative at a separate address. Barb was reportedly at the relative's address on the night of Bethany's disappearance.

In 2023, Barb told reporters that Bethany had gone away for a "day or two" before in the past, but "not without alerting her sister to where she would be and for how long." As such, Barb and other family members were immediately worried Bethany fell out-of-touch. They believe that foul play is responsible for her disappearance.

Searches have been conducted and leads have been followed, but Bethany still remains missing. Very little information about the investigation has been revealed Another 2023 report indicates that people have provided information about what might have happened to Bethany, but it was all hearsay. Details about said theory have not been publicly shared. At the time of the reporting, those leads were still being investigated.

Bethany remains missing today. Both the Newton County Police and the Jasper County Sheriff's Office are involved in the investigation. If you have any information that could help solve Bethany's case, please contact Newton authorities at 618-783-8478 or Jasper authorities at 618-783-3057. 

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Sources:
Bethany's Facebook
Charley Project
My Wabash Valley
WCIA.com