Jamison family disappearance

The Jamison family from Eufaula, Oklahoma,^[1] consisting of father Bobby Dale Jamison,^[2] mother Sherilynn Leighann Jamison,^[3] and daughter Madyson Stormy Star Jamison,^[4] mysteriously disappeared on October 8, 2009.^[1] The family was reportedly looking to purchase a forty acre plot of land near Red Oak, Oklahoma, about thirty miles from Eufaula, at the time of their disappearance.^[5]

Disappearance

The initial investigation into the Jamison family's disappearance indicated that they likely had not vanished on their own accord. Their dog was found in the truck malnourished after days of going without food or water. Police also discovered their IDs, wallets, mobile phones, a GPS system, and about $32,000 in cash.^[5] The Jamisons were known for carrying large amount of cash with them.^[1]

Several theories have emerged about the family's disappearance, such as that they faked their own deaths, were in a witness protection program. were killed, or committed group suicide.^[6] Shortly before the disappearance, Bobby Jamison was involved in a bitter lawsuit with his father. Bobby reported that his father, Bobby Dean Jamison, had threatened him and his family, but police do not believe that Bobby's father was involved in the family's disappearance.^[6]

Another popular theory was that the Jamisons were involved in drugs and drug dealing. Investigators cited the large amount of cash found in the Jamisons' truck, and the apparent strange behavior exhibited by Bobby and Sherilynn Jamison shortly before they went missing.^[7] Bobby and Sherilynn had reportedly told their pastor on separate occasions that they had seen spirits inside of their home.^[7] Sherilyn's mother, Connie Kokotan, has believed that the family were killed by members of a violent cult. She has also firmly denied that the Jamisons were involved in drugs or witchcraft.^[8]

In the Media

The Jamison family disappearance was profiled on the Investigation Discovery series Disappeared in late 2010, in an episode entitled "Paradise Lost."^[9]

Possible Discovery

The skeletal remains of two adults and one child were found on November 15-16, 2013, more than four years after the family went missing. The remains were discovered less than three miles away from where the family's pickup truck had been abandoned. While the remains are presumed by many to be those of the missing family, the Oklahoma medical examiner's office will use anthropological and forensic pathological testing to identify the remains.^[10]

References