The Missing
Sheryl Ann Tillinghast
Wassaic, New York
Sheryl Ann Tillinghast was 17 years old when she vanished near the “Wassaic State School for Mental Defectives” in Amenia, New York on or around September 24, 1973. She left all of her possessions and two uncashed paychecks totaling over $150 behind.
She was sent to a reform school after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana, but the reform school burned down, so Sheryl was instead sent to live at the Wassaic State School. After she graduated, she became employed there and worked in the laundry room. She had been renting a small apartment nearby to the school. She was originally from Phelps, Ontario County NY where she lived in a mobile home with about 10 other siblings/relatives. She was said to be in regular contact with her family up until she disappeared. Despite having a strained and abusive relationship with her mother, Sheryl told relatives over the phone that she was intending to return home to celebrate her mother’s birthday. She had also told her sister Laura that she had acquired a car and together, the two formed a plan to move to California one day. This dream however, never came true. Sheryl never showed up at home for the birthday party and has never been seen again. Sheryl’s mother called the school to see where she was and they told her “She’s an adult,” and that “Sheryl didn’t have to come home if she didn’t want to.” Sheryl’s mother decided not to look into this further and never reported her missing. She was not officially reported missing until November 2, 1998.
There were reports that Sheryl had an abusive boyfriend at the time that worked with her in the laundry room, but he has since passed away.
Sheryl is described as a white female standing at 5’3” and weighing 140 pounds, with brown eyes and straight, brown hair that was down to the middle of her back. Police have DNA from family members on file to match against remains.
Sheryl’s sisters continue searching for her.
If you have any further information, please contact the New York State Tip Line at 1-866-723-3697.
Sources:
https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/mp-main.html?id=1500dfny
https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1156469/1
https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/3259/details?nav
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/29/missing-ny-woman-since-1973/2727343/
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/cold-case-spotlight/sheryl-ann-tillinghast-s-case-still-open-44-years-later-n803771
https://int-missing.fandom.com/wiki/Sheryl_Tillinghast
https://www.411gina.org/cases/TillinghastSherylAnnMissingFlyer.pdf
The Lost & The Taken 
Thank you for featuring Sheryl. She is my aunt and we love her and never give up hope that we will someday bring her home.
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You’re welcome!! No need to thank me, writing is my passion and I will always try to help others find their loved ones. 🥰 if there is anything you would like for me to add or change please let me know!!
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