The Murdered
Cynthia Joan Gastelle
Prince William County, Haymarket, Virginia

🕊️ The Unsolved Homicide of Cynthia “Cindy” Gastelle 🕯️

Cynthia Joan “Cindy” Gastelle was a 20 year old young woman from Takoma Park, Maryland. On April 3, 1980, she was last seen leaving her residence in Takoma Park, where she lived with her family. That morning, she planned to attend two job interviews and had taken a “Ride On” bus toward Silver Spring. One deli reportedly contacted her father that day to offer her a job, confirming she had made it to at least one interview. However, Cynthia never returned home. When she failed to come back that evening, her family’s concern quickly grew, and she was eventually reported missing.
Nearly two years later, on February 11, 1982, a hiker discovered skeletal remains in a remote, wooded area near 1100 Mountain Road in Haymarket, Virginia, in Prince William County. The location was secluded, almost a mile off Route 15 on what was then private property. At the time, forensic technology was limited, and investigators were unable to determine the identity of the remains or conclusively establish the cause and manner of death. The case eventually became classified as a homicide, though crucial details remained unknown.
For decades, Cynthia’s family endured heartbreaking uncertainty. Advances in forensic science ultimately provided the breakthrough investigators needed. DNA from the unidentified remains had been entered into a national database in 2001. Years later, mitochondrial DNA collected from Cynthia’s family members was compared, leading to a positive match in 2012, more than 30 years after her disappearance. The identification brought long-awaited answers, though it also renewed the family’s grief.
Investigators believe Cynthia, who did not drive and had no known ties to Prince William County, was likely brought to Virginia by another person. Detectives have expressed interest in speaking with individuals who knew her at the time of her disappearance, including a former boyfriend named Michael, though he has not been identified as a suspect. Authorities continue to seek information that may clarify Cynthia’s final hours and lead to accountability.

The Prince William County Police Department urges anyone with information about Cynthia Gastelle’s case to contact their tip line at 703-792-7000 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. 

Even the smallest detail could help bring further justice and closure in this long-unsolved case. 💔

Sources:
Prince William County Police Department – 82-F32651 – Cynthia Joan Gastelle – Prince William County Police Department 
Unsolved Since 1980: Police Continue to Seek Answers in Cynthia Gastelle Case – The MoCo Show 
Remains of missing Maryland teen identified after 32 years
Photos of Cynthia Joan “Cindy” Gastelle – Find a Grave Memorial 
Family pleads for help in 32-year-old cold case – WTOP News 
Cold Missing Person Case Now A Homicide Investigation | Manassas, VA Patch 
Speak Out: Share a Story of Cynthia Gastelle | Takoma Park, MD Patch 
Cynthia Joan Gastelle homicide: Remains ID’d as woman missing 32 years 
UPDATE: 1980s Missing Person Case Becomes Homicide Investigation – Bristow Beat 
Murder of Cynthia Gastelle – Wikipedia 
Police still on the case of Takoma teen missing 31 years 
17 Unsolved Northern Virginia Cold Cases