The Mysterious Disappearance of Bonnie Schultz

January 12, 2010

The Missing – A Weekly Exposé of Lost Souls – Issue #38

In this edition of "The Missing," we revisit the disappearance of Bonnie L. Schultz, a 47-year-old mother of two who went missing from Indianapolis, Indiana in 1997.

It was approximately 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 1997, when Richard Schultz contacted the Marion County Sheriff's Department and reported his wife missing. According to Richard, Bonnie had gone out with coworkers the previous evening and never returned home. He said he initially thought she might have had too much to drink and stayed with a co-worker, but when she failed to return home by the following afternoon he felt something was wrong.

"At the time, Bonnie and Richard had been married for over 20 years and had 2 children, Gretchen and Joshua, ages 10 and 15," said Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Missing Persons' Detective Dan Kistner. "Richard was employed as a bank executive with National City Bank and Bonnie was a part-time inventory clerk who had recently re-entered the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom."

Richard provided police with a description of his wife and her personal effects. He also described the car she had been driving as a blue, 1990 four-door Mercury Sable station wagon with Indiana license plate number 99G9645.

Upon further inquiry, Richard also told investigators that his relationship with his wife was rocky and that they had recently had "discussions" regarding divorce.

"On July 7, 1997, Richard reiterated his initial statement and provided a more detailed clothing/personal property description to the lead detective via telephone," Det. Kistner said. "Afterwards, the detective spoke with Bonnie's co-worker and best friend, both of whom were with her on the evening of July 3, 1997."

According to her friends, Bonnie was last seen leaving the Time Out Lounge at 62nd Street and Allisonville Road on July 4, 1997, at approximately 4:00 a.m. Bonnie was purportedly heading home at the time.

"During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Bonnie had been having an affair with a male co-worker who was also with her that evening," Det. Kistner said. "A female friend stated that when Bonnie arrived at the gathering on July 3, she was crying and emotionally upset. Bonnie informed her friend that she and Richard had had a huge fight, that Richard refused to give her a divorce, and she did not know what he might do. Bonnie had also advised the man she was having an affair with of the same circumstances that evening before she departed for home."

Bonnie's boyfriend cooperated with police and submitted to a polygraph examination, in which no evidence of deception was indicated. Police then questioned Richard about the alleged argument. He denied an argument had occurred and stated they had had a "discussion."

"Richard later submitted to a polygraph, in which deception was indicated," Det. Kistner said.

Roughly one week after Bonnie went missing, authorities went to the residence where Bonnie and Richard resided to ask some follow-up questions.

"Richard was at work but the children were home," Det. Kistner said. "After a short discussion, Gretchen mentioned items that her mother had with her when she left the residence on July 3. One of those items was a gift that Gretchen and Joshua had given to her – a gift she was always known to have in her possession."

Det. Kistner won't reveal what the "gift" was but he did say that Gretchen was able to confirm it was still inside the residence.

"The information received from the children conflicted with Richard's own statement to police, in which he had listed the gift as property his wife had in her possession at the time she went missing," Det. Kistner said. "This led us to further question Richard’s account that Bonnie had never returned home."

When asked about the item in question, Richard told police that he must have been confused about it. Further attempts to verify whether Bonnie had it with her were also unsuccessful. As a result, what initially felt like a break in the case, turned into a he said-she said between father and daughter.

"Attempts to locate Bonnie and her vehicle over the years have also been unsuccessful," Det. Kistner said. "There was an initial belief that Bonnie had left of her own accord. Too much time passed before detectives realized that things were indicating otherwise and charges were never filed. Close friends and Bonnie’s family all state Bonnie would have never left her children and believe she met with foul play."

In 2000, Richard and his children moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. On the ten-year anniversary of Bonnie's disappearance, Richard spoke with WTHR.com about the case.

"The husband is the first person who comes to mind when a spouse is missing," Richard Schultz said. "I had nothing to do with causing any of her physical harm … If she left us and is happy, as difficult as that is for us, that's better for her. If something else has happened, obviously it's a bad thing for everybody."

In 2008, Detective Kistner traveled to Kalamazoo in an attempt to get new leads in the case.

"I wanted to speak with Richard and Bonnie's children, who are now grown," Det. Kistner said. "Richard maintained that he knew nothing. He has made no attempts to locate his wife since her reported disappearance. Joshua still lives with Richard, who provides complete monetary support for his children. They have very limited association with any other family members. Both children refused to talk to me regarding their mother's disappearance. Gretchen stated that it would not change anything."

Unfortunately, Detective Kistner's trip to Michigan has yet to yield all of the information or results needed in the case and, as of today, neither Bonnie nor her blue station wagon have ever been located. Nevertheless, Kistner’s investigation is far from over.

"It is a very frustrating cold case," Det. Kistner said. "I have taken it very personally and have endured many sleepless nights thinking about it. It is my belief that Joshua and Gretchen would want to do anything and everything possible to locate their missing mother. I believe their failure to cooperate is because they know their mother is deceased and, quite possibly, who is responsible. Regardless, the perpetrator of this crime can rest assured that we will not give up."

Bonnie Schultz is described as a white female, 5' 7" tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dan Kistner at 317-327-6539 or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS. Click here to download her missing person flyer.

Related Link:
The Shift

Photo Credits: IMPD

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Comments

[JJBadfish2]

Such a sad story. Those poor kids are probably brainwashed.

[barb]

Great article David. Thanks, as always !! So nice to have you back.

[helenhudson]

Strange and sad. Glad to see that LE hasn't given up. Thanks for the update.

[slamdunk]

Cold missing persons cases involving vehicles like this are rare. I think it means the the case has a higher probability of eventually being solved--as compared to the missing person who ws last seen on foot.

[Ricky07]

Hopefully the car will be found before it's too late for the suspect to face punishment. Great to see a motivated investigator is still working to find justice for Bonnie.

[mave rick]

So sad story... Thanks for sharing.

[Sar31685]

I knew Gretchen and Josh when this happened. Bonnie never would have left them. She was a very involved mother. Even now, I remember seeing all the police cars and news vans at their house. It haunts me. I hope some day, we find out what happened to this wonderful woman.

[j.s.h.]

IN this instance LE likely knows the way things went down more or less but lack the evidence to prosecute.

[roxybabe9976]

the poor kids are trying to move on, and the detective keeps ripping open the childrens wounds by coming to them. I feel that the police should leave the family alone until they come up with something so that they can continue to try and heal. There are many areas of water around the location in which Bonnie went missing, has anyone ever attempted to put divers in to search, or drain some areas? To me thats the only thing that would make sense! Think about it, her car has never been found. Her body has never been found. Nobody disappears without a single trace, there are so many more options that the detectives have to try and come up with something. Leave the family out of it until you find an answer.

[roxybabe9976]

I would also like to add that I know the Schultz family. They so desperately need closure. I appreciate that the detectives have not given up on this case, but I do not respect the fact that they are not allowing this family to heal. Coming to them asking them questions all of the time is doing nobody any good. They must figure out other ways to find clues. I just wish someone would go search in the waters there. Its almost silly that they have not done this. The only thing that would explain her going missing with a body or car yet to be found, to me, is that she drank too much and ended up driving her car into water. If detective Kistner has really "taken it very personally and have endured many sleepless nights thinking about it", why hasnt he ordered a search of the water? Doesnt make sense to me.

[tommy dolkas]

I am a student in 9th grade. I am writting a paper for my english class on the profile of a serial killer. Your professional opinion would make my paper very interesting (and maybe I'll get an A!). would you please answer any or all of the following questions:
1- What defines someone as a serial Killer?
2- Does the definition vary between psychiatrists and law enforcement?
3- Can serial killers be rehabilitated?
4- Is there any history of them being released back into society?
5- How are they treated for their illness?
6- What causes a serial killer to want to kill? Psychological compulsions, mental illness, abuse, etc.

Thank you for your help!

Sincerely,

Tommy

[friend]

Her high school class held a "Happy 60th Birthday Party" last night. Both Bonnie and Rick graduated in 1969. Rick no longer returns to his hometown to participate. There was a memorial there for the ones that passed away and Bonnie, as missing. She was remembered by many and very much missed.

[anotherfriend]

I too knew the family personally and was friends with Gretchen. I really don't think either Gretchen or Josh knows what happened to their mom and is "covering it up." That is ridiculous! I saw the devestation on Gretchen's face and the dramatic change in her personality from losing her mother. There is no way they're hiding anything.

As far as Rick, who knows? It seems suspicious some of the ways he acted, but it could all be explained. It was sort of weird that they all moved, but maybe they just needed a new start. I'm sure everywhere they looked they thought of Bonnie. I too lost my mom and know how that is, sort of. But my mom died, so I can't even begin to imagine how the kids must feel.

I truly hope someone somehow will solve this case and give the family some peace. They deserve at least that.