http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/a/abrams_robin.htmlRobin Renea Abrams Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: October 4, 1990 from Beecher, Illinois
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: August 13, 1962
Age: 28 years old
Height and Weight: 5'4, 170 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair, hazel eyes. Abrams's ears are pierced.
Clothing Description: A long-sleeved white knit pullover shirt, black slacks, a black leather jacket, black patent leather shoes and a gold pinky ring.
Details of Disappearance
Abrams was last seen in her hometown of Beecher, Illinois during the early evening hours of October 4, 1990, when she and her father passed one another while driving on Goodenow Road and they waved at each other. She was carrying a small light beige patterned purse at the time of her disappearance. She has never been heard from again.
Abrams's vehicle, a red 1989 Dodge Daytona hatchback, was located eleven hours later in Harvey, Illinois. The car was locked and the keys were in the ignition. Her camera was also inside the car, but there was no trace of Abrams at the scene. A witness said the car was dropped off at 10:00 p.m. by two men in a tow truck. At 3:00 a.m., a neighbor called police to report someone was trying to break into the car. That was when it was linked to Abrams. Three days after Abrams vanished, her purse was found in a residential area three blocks away from where the car had been. Her checkbook was inside but her wallet and credit cards were gone.
Abrams had a romantic relationship with a married police officer, Anthony Marquez, before she vanished. Abrams's family stated she did not realize Marquez was married. He convinced her to join the sheriff's department; she was hired as a deputy in 1988. In November 1989, shortly after she ended her relationship with Marquez, she got an order of protection against him, alleging that he had harassed her and slashed her car's tires. In December 1989, she was terminated from the sheriff's department, two weeks before her probationary period was scheduled to end. Shortly after Abrams was fired, Marquez filed a criminal complaint against her, alleging harassment. The complaint was dismissed. Marquez was himself terminated from the police department in December 1990.
A few months after her termination, Abrams filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful dismissal, sexual harassment and violation of civil rights. The defendants included Marquez and seven others in the sheriff's department. One of the first hearings in the suit was scheduled for October 22, 1990, eighteen days after she disappeared. It has not been established that the lawsuit or Abrams's problems with the sheriff's department and with Marquez had anything to do with her disappearance. Her disappearance was initially investigated by the Will County Sheriff's Department, but the state police took over shortly after it began, citing a possible conflict of interest.
Some theorize that Abrams disappeared deliberately to spite Marquez, but most investigators believe she met with foul play and is now deceased. She is a graduate of Sandburg High School, Moraine Valley Community College and Governors State University, and had planned to eventually seek a career in law. Her case remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Illinois State Police
815-726-6291
