The Disappearance of The Springfield Three
Sherrill Levitt, 47
Susan "Suzie Streeter, 19
Stacy McCall, 18
Springfield, Missouri, in 1992
In the early 1990s, Springfield was recognized as a growing Midwestern city characterized by its peaceful neighborhoods, strong community connections, and a relatively low rate of violent crime compared to larger metropolitan areas. With a population of around 140,000 during this period, these details will play a significant role later as we examine the suspects involved in this case.
The first weekend of June 1992, was a momentous occasion for many teens and their families, as it marked graduation weekend. This celebration was filled with parties, family gatherings, and the anticipation of young adults embarking on their journeys to college, careers, and new beginnings.
Nothing about June 6, 1992, suggested it would become a date remembered nationwide, nor that these three women would forever be connected.
Three Lives, Three Different Journeys
It’s important to highlight the lives of Sherrill, Stacy, and Susan. Throughout my research, I often noticed that the focus was primarily on the suspects. However, these three women were vibrant individuals with bright futures ahead of them, futures that were tragically cut short by someone’s actions.
Sherrill Levitt
At 47 years old, Sherrill Levitt had recently begun a new chapter. Friends described her as energetic, outgoing, and deeply devoted to her daughter. She worked as a cosmetologist and had recently moved into the home at 1717 East Delmar Street. The house represented a fresh start after years of personal challenges, and she took pride in making it comfortable for family and friends. Neighbors remembered a welcoming woman who enjoyed entertaining guests and creating a warm home
environment.
Sherrill was single and a mother to two young adults, Susan "Suzie" Streeter and Bart Streeter. While Suzie lived at home, Bart resided about two miles away in Springfield. At this time, Bart's relationship with both his mother and sister was notably strained. Tensions frequently arose due to Bart's heavy drinking, which led to feelings of frustration among family members. Sherrill, who had always placed family first, found herself in a difficult position. For now, Sherrill is concentrating on her relationship with Suzie at home, helping her prepare for life after graduation.
By all accounts, there was nothing unusual about her plans that weekend. She expected to spend the evening at home varnishing a dresser while her daughter celebrated at one of the many graduation parties being held that evening.
Suzanne "Suzie" Streeter
Suzie Streeter had just graduated from Kickapoo High School. Those who knew her often described her as independent, social, and adventurous. Like many recent graduates, she was beginning to think seriously about following in her mother's footsteps as a cosmetologist, but for now she was just enjoying the upcoming summer. Her plans included spending time with friends before making a final decision about future plans.. Graduation marked the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Over the past year, Suzie faced a series of challenging situations. Early in the year, she ended a tumultuous relationship with Mike Kovacs, who had a documented history of domestic violence (though my research indicates he was later cleared as a suspect into the disappearance of Suzie, Sherrill, and Stacy). After the breakup, his behavior became increasingly alarming; he reportedly stalked Suzie, made threats, and even slashed her tires. Concerned for her safety, Suzie and her mother, Sherrill, made the decision to file for a protection order, fearing that his actions might escalate and put Suzie in harm's way.
Suzie then started dating another young man, Dustin Recla. However, that relationship came to an abrupt end when Dustin broke into a mausoleum and stole a gold tooth from a corpse. Suzie provided a statement to the police and was set to testify in Dustin's upcoming trial. In response, Dustin felt anger towards Suzie for cooperating with the authorities, although he was ultimately cleared as a suspect by the Springfield police for Suzie's disappearance.
This weekend literally marked a new chapter for Suzie, one where she likely felt a sense of safety that had eluded her for quite some time, especially after enduring two relationships characterized by varying degrees of hostility. It must have been a truly special experience for both her and Stacy, filled with exciting plans.
Stacy McCall
Stacy McCall, the daughter of Janis and Stu McCall, graduated from Kickapoo High School. Recently, she had rekindled her friendship with Suzie, and they were excited to spend the weekend together. Friends described her as responsible, kind, and dependable. She had a close relationship with her family, often staying in touch with them when she was away from her home. Stacy worked as a receptionist and also did some modeling of wedding gowns. Stacy had plans to attend Southwest Missouri State University later that fall.
June 6, 1992: A Day of Celebration
Graduation ceremonies brought together students, teachers, friends, and families. Like countless graduates, Suzie and Stacy spent the day moving from celebration to celebration. The atmosphere was festive. As evening approached, many graduates planned to attend parties hosted throughout Springfield.
Stacy celebrated with a family dinner and captured memories in photographs. She was looking forward to attending a party that Suzie and other friends would be at later that evening.
Suzie and Stacy, along with some friends, had originally planned to spend the night at a motel in Branson, Missouri, with plans to visit a waterpark the following morning. However, after attending a party, their plans took a turn. They decided to stay overnight at the home of their friend, Janelle Kirby, and drive to Branson in the morning. As the night progressed, circumstances changed again. Reports indicated that the location became crowded with Janelle's family, prompting the girls to opt for a more comfortable option. They decided to sleep at Suzie's home on East Delmar Street, where Sherrill, Suzie's mom, was already present. This way, they could enjoy a good night’s sleep before meeting Janelle the next morning to embark on their waterpark adventure in Branson.
Ironically, that last-minute decision would become one of the most discussed details of the case, because investigators have long considered whether someone knew where the young women would be or whether their presence at the home was entirely unexpected. As of today, there is no confirmed evidence that anyone targeted the house because of that change in plans.
The Last Confirmed Hours
The final timeline is brief. After leaving Janelle Kirby's home around 2 AM, as noted by Janelle's sister, Suzie and Stacy are believed to have arrived at the Delmar Street residence between 2:15 and 2:30 AM. Inside the home, Sherrill was thought to be preparing for bed after spending the evening refurbishing a dresser. This is corroborated by a telephone conversation Sherrill had with a friend at approximately 11:15 PM that night, during which everything appeared to be perfectly fine.
At some point during the overnight hours, all three women disappeared. Exactly when remains unknown.
Morning Comes and Something Isn't Right
The following morning, Janelle attempted to contact Suzie and Stacy to head to the waterpark. When she was unable to reach them, Janelle, along with her boyfriend, headed over to Suzie's home, assuming they were probably still asleep. Upon arriving, the cars belonging to Sherrill, Stacy, and Suzie were parked outside, but Janelle later noted that Suzie's vehicle was not in its usual spot, a detail we will revisit later in this story. As they approached the house, they noticed that the globe covering the front porch light was broken. It's worth mentioning that only the globe was damaged; the light bulb remained intact. Janelle, knowing Sherrill to be an exceptionally neat person, felt certain that she would never allow broken glass to remain in front of the door where people walked. Thinking she was being helpful, Janelle and her boyfriend decided to clean it up. They found a broom under the carport and swept up the glass. At this time neither Janelle or her boyfriend could have known they were possibly sweeping up evidence.
When no one answered the door, she discovered it was unlocked and stepped inside. Janelle would later state that Sherrill would never have left the front door unlocked. Although it was common in the 90s for people to be less vigilant about potential dangers, Sherrill, who lived alone with Suzie, would never have taken such a risk.
What Janelle discovered inside was puzzling. The family dog, Cinnamon, was pacing and barking frantically, clearly distressed. While some articles during my research mention that Cinnamon was found locked behind a closed bathroom door, I could not locate any interviews with Janice, Stacy, or law enforcement that confirm these claims.
Janelle noticed the girls' jewelry left in the bathroom, and there were signs that they had washed their makeup off, with tissues scattered on the bathroom counter. She then noticed the bed they would have slept in was unmade, indicating Suzie and Stacy had slept at the home.
Noticing the absence of the three women, Janelle assumed Sherrill must have ran an errand, and that Stacy and Suzie must have gone to the waterpark without her. She figured she would catch up with them later and left.
After a long day of unsuccessful attempts to reach her daughter Stacy, Janice McCall decided to visit Sherrill's home. Upon arrival, she found the front door unlocked. As Janice stepped inside, Cinnamon, Sherrill's beloved Yorkie, rushed toward her, clearly agitated. She headed to Suzie's room and noticed Suzie's cigarettes and lighter lying around, while the bedroom TV flickered with nothing but black and white static. Most concerning was the sight of three purses belonging to the women in a pile. Stacy's clothes from the previous night were neatly folded atop her shoes, with the exception of her t-shirt and underwear. Additionally, several slats of Suzie's window blinds were out of place, as if someone had been peeking outside.
In Sherrill's room, her cigarettes were also left behind. It’s important to note that Sherrill was a chain smoker, making it quite unusual for her to have forgotten them. A book was discovered lying face down on Sherrill's bed or nightstand, it is unclear which, suggesting that she had been reading or intended to read prior to going to sleep.
Shortly after Janice arrived, Janelle and her boyfriend returned to the house, followed by other friends and family who were curious about the women's whereabouts. As Janice noticed new messages on the answering machine, she decided to play them in hopes of finding clues about Stacy's location. One message from a man caught her attention, but its content remained elusive, and, regrettably, it was also deleted, a common mishap with answering machines at the time. In the midst of this, those inside the home began tidying up, unaware that they might be disturbing potential evidence.
Feeling increasingly uneasy, Janice immediately called the police.
The Investigation Begins
As concerns grew, the Springfield police initiated one of the largest missing persons investigations in Missouri's history. By the second day, the FBI had joined the effort. Search teams scoured neighborhoods, wooded areas, abandoned properties, rivers, and lakes. Volunteers took to the streets, distributing flyers to raise awareness. Tips began flooding in from across the nation, and soon, national media outlets were covering the story. Within days, photographs of Sherrill Levitt, Suzie Streeter, and Stacy McCall appeared on television broadcasts and newspaper front pages nationwide. The mystery had become more than a local investigation. It had become a national story.
Yet despite growing publicity, investigators found themselves facing an extraordinary problem. There was no confirmed crime scene. No confirmed suspect. No confirmed motive. And no confirmed destination. The three women had seemingly vanished without leaving behind the answers investigators desperately needed.
Reported Sightings
Pictured above is a similar van that was parked outside the Springfield Police Department, aimed at gathering more leads.
A color palette specific to the reported year, make, and model of the Dodge van.
A few weeks after the disappearance of Sherrill, Suzi, and Stacy, a neighborhood witness came forward with crucial information. She reported seeing a mint or moss green van being driven by a young blonde girl. The witness also recalled hearing a man's voice inside of the van, urging her "not to do anything stupid."
According to reports, the van was seen moving away from 1717 East Delmar Street, heading towards the intersection of either Kentwood Ave or Delaware Ave. Police believe the van was attempting to merge onto a major thoroughfare, likely Highway 65.
The witness observed the van from her window around 6:30 AM on Sunday, June 7, 1992. This sighting occurred approximately four hours after Suzie and Stacy arrived at Suzie's home. However, the tip was not reported to the police until several weeks later, when the neighbor realized the three women were missing.
The van was described as a Dodge panel van from the 1960s to 1970s, though the FBI later concluded it was most likely a utility van. It featured a white front grille and lacked rear side windows.
The police found this witness credible. In hopes of gathering more leads, they acquired a similar model of the Dodge van, had it repainted to match the reported color, and parked it outside the station.
Cinnamon
During my research, I encountered reports claiming that a neighbor spotted Cinnamon running outside in the early hours of June 7, around 3:30 AM. The claim is that the neighbor reportedly returned Cinnamon to Sherrill's yard. While I haven't found any police statements confirming this incident, if it did occur, it could significantly narrow the timeline for the abduction. Furthermore, this might explain why the person responsible for the women's abduction didn't need to force entry.
Although there was a doggie door through which Cinnamon could come and go, it's reasonable to assume that the door cover would have been locked at that hour, particularly since Cinnamon was known for escaping.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that Cinnamon was found inside the home, as mentioned by both Janis and Janelle. Although there are claims suggesting that Cinnamon was locked in the bathroom or a bedroom, I want to reiterate that I have not found any statements or interviews from Janice or Janelle, who entered the home that morning or later that afternoon on July 7, 1992, to corroborate these reports.
The most reliable account suggests that the mention of Cinnamon escaping from the house stems from a statement made by a neighbor who lived next door to Sherrill at her previous residence. This neighbor recounted that Cinnamon would frequently dash into their home whenever their door was left open, having escaped from Sherrill's townhouse, and not the East Delmar Street residence.
It stands to reason that since Janelle first discovered Cinnamon inside the house, the dog was inside at the time the abductor gained entry to the home. Cinnamon probably would have been barking, alerting one or more of the women to someone lurking outside. Perhaps this explains why Suzie's blinds were out of place. She could have peeked out to see what Cinnamon was barking at.
Cinnamon's behavior, both that morning and later in the afternoon, suggests that Cinnamon likely witnessed the abduction and was experiencing stress from being separated from Sherrill.
Pictured is a Yorkie similar to Sherrill's beloved dog, Cinnamon.
1717 East Delmar Street, Springfield, MO. Suzie's car is parked in front of the house.
Geographic Area
In the days and weeks following June 7, 1992, the areas surrounding Springfield became central to search volunteers and law enforcement. Investigators immediately assumed based on the women's vehicles still at the home, that they were transported away by a vehicle via the nearby highways. The search efforts focused heavily on the surrounding lakes, remote woods, and adjacent rural counties.
Arial view of 1717 East Delmar St., Springfield, Missouri. Both Stacy's and Suzie's cars are parked in the driveway, along with a white Springfield police car.
Map of surrounding reservoirs and forested areas.
Images, Mark Twin Nation Forest, Lake Springfield
The environment surrounding the home may offer a few insights into the early morning hours of the incident. It may reveal how the abductor concealed themselves in plain sight, evading detection by neighbors.
1717 East Delmar Street
The house is situated in a suburban neighborhood within the city limits, positioned on East Delmar Street and set back from the road. In the photographs from that day, you can see dense brush and trees on the right side of the house, facing the street. On the left, a privacy fence stands behind the fence, while a pathway leads to a parking lot and a building that faces E. Cherokee Street. Directly across the street from the house at the time was a commercial office building, some undeveloped lots, and a few residential homes.
Another crucial detail to consider is the highways and interstates that the abductor may have used to escape with the three women.
Highways
Route 65 is situated just over a mile from the Delmar home. This highway is a popular route for those traveling to Branson, Missouri, and the Ozark mountains.
Interstate 44, situated just five miles north of the residence, serves as the main route for travelers heading to and from St. Louis, Missouri.
Route 66, a highway frequented by commercial truckers, was located just half a mile from the home.
Once the abductor escaped with the women, he would need a secluded location where he wouldn't be disturbed. In and around Springfield, there are several places that provide the necessary privacy, ensuring minimal interruptions.
Lakes
Lake Springfield, a 318-acre reservoir situated on the James River, serves as a recreational spot for locals. It is located just six and a half miles south of Sherrill's home.
McDaniel Lake, located ten miles northwest of East Delmar Street, is heavily restricted yet accessible. It is surrounded by scenic farm roads.
Fellows Lake, covering over 800 acres, serves as a resource for the city of Springfield. Surrounded by dense forest, it is located just 14 miles north of the house.
Wooded Areas
Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 5 miles south 80 acres.
Fellows Lake Trails, 25 mile trail system, 12.6 miles north.
The Mark Twain National Forest, approximately 40 miles southeast of the Delmar home, thousands of acres of wilderness.
Weather
The weather conditions on and leading up to the early hours of June 7th are significant for several reasons. They may have aided the abductor in concealing his presence before entering the home, as well as facilitated what he could access to specific areas via vehicle after he kidnapped the women.
According to data from the June 1992 Springfield Almanac, June 6, 1992, was characterized by cloudy skies, light rain, and intermittent showers that lasted throughout the day and into the evening. As dawn approached on June 7, temperatures fell to a chilly 52 degrees, with light rain persisting until late morning.
In Springfield, the hours from midnight to 6 AM were particularly damp, cool, and overcast. Notably, between 4 AM and 6 AM, the area was enveloped in heavy fog, resulting in significantly reduced visibility.
This is not an actual image of the weather forecast from June 97, 1992.
Leads
Tons of leads poured in to law enforcement in the days, weeks, and months following the women going missing. There are some leads that are public and stand out more than others. I assume there are many more leads that investigators have withheld to protect the integrity of the case.
One report that caught my attention involves a prowler in the area who was chased off by a neighbor. While there is no indication that the detectives have linked this prowler to the missing women, the possibility of a connection remains. If this lead proves to be accurate, understanding the proximity of the prowler's location to the Delmar house could provide valuable insights into any potential links.
Another tip came from the dentist's daughter, who owns the building adjacent to Sherrill's home. During a podcast, she shared that her father had noticed a brown van parked along the pathway leading to the parking lot earlier that day. Given that someone had been dumping trash in that area recently, the dentist decided to go inside and grab a pen and paper to jot down the van's license plate. However, by the time he returned, the van had vanished.
Persons of Interest
Robert Craig Cox
One suspect frequently mentioned in this case is Robert Craig Cox. Robert Cox, was convicted in 1988 for the murder of 19 year old Sharon Zeller on December 30, 1988. He was the only individual linked to the case who was staying at a hotel adjacent to where Sharon's body was discovered. However, the Florida Supreme Court overturned the jury's verdict due to insufficient evidence. As a result, Robert Cox spent only 18 months in prison before his release. After his release, he returned to California, where he had been serving a sentence for kidnapping and assaulting two women. He was later paroled to his hometown of Springfield, Missouri, and eventually relocated to Texas. In Texas, he was convicted of armed robbery and is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 30 years. Robert Craig Cox has a lengthy criminal history that includes robbery, assault, rape, kidnapping, and murder. In interviews, he has expressed a disturbing fascination with notorious serial killer Ted Bundy.
In a news interview, Robert Cox was questioned by a reporter about the missing women, as he was in Springfield at the time of their disappearance. His response was that he "knew, just knew the women were dead," which immediately placed him at the top of the suspect list. There were other key details that makes Cox a suspect. Cox worked next door to Stacy's father's car dealership and he did utility work across the street from the East Delmar home. Robert Cox's alibi for that night crumbled as well. Originally his girlfriend told investigators that Cox was with her all evening, but later admitted that she lied because Cox had told her to if police questioned her about his whereabouts.
Larry DeWayne Hall
Larry DeWayne Hall, a convicted serial killer who confessed to over 35 murders, was present in the Springfield area during the time of the women's disappearance. Hall had a keen interest in Civil War reenactments and frequently traveled through Springfield to participate in these events. Notably, on the weekend the women went missing, Hall attended a reenactment only 30 minutes away from Springfield.
Another lead that links Hall to the disappearance is a neighbor reported seeing a light brown Dodge van leaving the vicinity in the early morning hours of June 7, 1992. This description closely matched Hall's vehicle.
Hall admitted to murdering the three women during an interrogation tied to a "Jane Doe" investigation in which he was involved. However, he later recanted his confession.
Gerald Carnahan
Gerald Carnahan is one of the most frequently discussed suspects in the disappearance of Sherrill Levitt, Suzie Streeter, and Stacy McCall. Gerald Carnahan was a wealthy Springfield-area businessman who, in 2010, was convicted of the 1985 rape and murder of Jackie Johns after DNA evidence linked him to the crime. He is serving life in prison without parole.
Carnahan has a documented history of violence against women, including a conviction for attempting to kidnap an 18-year-old woman in Springfield in 1993. His criminal record also includes convictions for burglary, theft, and arson.
Several factors contribute to Carnahan being a recurring suspect in public discussions. His established pattern of offending reveals a tendency to target young women, with confirmed incidents of sexual violence and abduction attempts, particularly in the Springfield area. Suzie Streeter and Stacy McCall match the profile of his known victims. The attempted kidnapping in 1993 took place on broad daylight, underscoring his boldness.
At the time of the women's disappearance, Carnahan was living and working in the Springfield area. He owned a plastics business and had built extensive local connections. Notably, he was already under suspicion in another homicide investigation, but the police did not have sufficient evidence to charge him at that time.
Some investigators have noted that Carnahan employed individuals connected to the Galloping Goose motorcycle club, a group associated with criminal activity in the region. Garrison provided information to investigators considered significant enough to obtain search warrants, although those searches produced no charges in the case. These associations have fueled theories of multiple offenders rather than a lone kidnapper.
Steven Eugene Garrison
Garrison entered the investigation in 1993, roughly a year after the women vanished. At the time, he was in jail on an unrelated weapons charge when he began talking about the Springfield Three. According to reports, Garrison claimed he had been at a drug party where another man made incriminating statements about the missing women. He said the man had confessed to killing them and claimed their bodies had been taken to a hog farm in western Webster County.
Normally, a story coming from a jailed man with a criminal history might be met with a great deal of skepticism. Garrison could have been trying to help himself, bargain with authorities, or simply repeat rumors that were already circulating around Springfield. But investigators apparently heard something in his account that they could not easily dismiss. Garrison reportedly provided information about the case that had never been released to the public. Exactly what that information was has never been made clear.
He reportedly spoke about a moss-green van and claimed the women, or their bodies, had been transported outside Springfield. His information eventually led investigators into western Webster County, where authorities obtained search warrants connected to two locations. One of those locations was a roughly 40-acre hog farm.
The search of the farm in August 1993 became one of the more mysterious chapters in the investigation. The property itself attracted attention because of the criminal history connected to its owner, who had previously been convicted of murder. Investigators searched the land, looking for some indication that Sherrill, Suzie, and Stacy had been brought there.
Nothing publicly announced ever connected the women to the property.
A judge placed a gag order over information connected to the search warrants, limiting what could be publicly discussed about the evidence and information investigators were working with. Decades later, the public still does not know exactly what Garrison told police that was supposedly known only to investigators and possibly the person responsible for the disappearances.
Garrison initially presented himself as someone who had overheard another man's confession. In his version of events, he was not the killer. He was a witness to a conversation that could potentially solve the case.
Investigators had reason to look closely at the man delivering the information. His own criminal history was violent, and events after he spoke with authorities only raised more questions about the kind of person police were dealing with. Garrison later fled and violently attacked a female college student. He was convicted of rape, sodomy, burglary, and robbery and ultimately received a lengthy prison sentence.
That crime does not prove Garrison had anything to do with the Springfield Three. It is important to say that clearly. A person can commit one horrific crime without being responsible for another.
Still, it changed the way Garrison's name was viewed.
Here was a man who had provided investigators with information reportedly unavailable to the general public. His statements were considered serious enough to help lead authorities to rural properties in Webster County. He had connections to Springfield's criminal and drug circles and was reportedly associated with the Galloping Goose motorcycle club. Then there was the undeniable fact that he was capable of extreme violence against a woman.
The question became whether Garrison was simply passing along something he had heard or whether he knew more than he was willing to admit. He is currently serving a 40 year prison sentence.
As weeks turned into months, and months into years, the case has transformed from an active missing persons investigation into one of the most enduring unsolved mysteries in American criminal history. Even today, investigators continue to emphasize that the case remains open. Advances in forensic science, renewed public attention, and the possibility that someone has withheld crucial information for decades continue to provide hope that answers may yet emerge.
More than three decades later, the disappearance of the Springfield Three remains one of America's most perplexing unsolved missing persons cases. Despite thousands of investigative leads, extensive media coverage, and countless theories, no one has ever been charged, and no definitive answers have emerged.
Additional Photos
If you or anyone you know has information about the disappearance or whereabouts of Sherill Levitt, Suzanne “Suzie” Streeter, and Stacy McCall, please come forward. Information that may have seemed insignificant years ago could be the missing piece investigators need today. Contact the Springfield Police Department at (417) 864-1810. Information may also be provided to FBI ViCAP at (800) 634-4097 or submitted anonymously through the FBI's online tip system.
After more than three decades, their families are still waiting for answers. Someone may know what happened to Sherill, Suzie, and Stacy. If you know something, please say something.