Inside unsolved mystery disappearance of mum who vanished before holiday with married boyfriend

In the summer of 2001, Patty Adkins, a 29-year-old employee at the Honda automotive plant in Marysville, Ohio, vanished without a trace, leaving behind a web of questions and suspicions that remain unsolved to this day.

The week leading up to July 4 was a time for celebration and relaxation at the Honda plant, known as "shutdown week." Patty, like many of her colleagues, was looking forward to spending this vacation week with her boyfriend, who also worked at the plant. Despite him being married to another woman, Patty and her boyfriend planned a trip to Canada together, leaving after work on Friday, June 29, 2001.

On that fateful night, Patty clocked out of work just after midnight. Witnesses saw her leaving the plant in her Honda uniform, expecting to hide under a tarp in the bed of her boyfriend's truck to keep their relationship secret from their coworkers. A coworker had driven Patty to work that day, so her car wouldn't sit idle in the parking lot during her absence.

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Patty had made arrangements for her sister, Marcia Pitts, to look after her seven-year-old daughter while she was away. She planned to pick up her daughter on Sunday, July 8. However, when the day came, Patty never showed up. Concerned, Marcia reached out to Patty's boyfriend, who denied knowing Patty or having plans to go on vacation with her.

The disappearance of Patty Adkins quickly became a matter of serious concern. The case was transferred from the Marysville Police Department to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, with Lieutenant Jeff Stiers leading the investigation. From the beginning, authorities were suspicious.

Patti planned to pick up her daughter but never returned

Investigators interviewed Patty's boyfriend, who denied any involvement in her disappearance. However, some circumstantial evidence was found at his residence, including a phone and a t-shirt that Patty had gifted him, as well as a letter from Patty expressing her feelings for him. Despite this, no trace of Patty was found in his truck, where she had planned to ride.

The investigation also revealed that Patty had given her boyfriend approximately $90,000 in the months leading up to her disappearance. He claimed the money was for buying out his business partner to protect his assets in an impending divorce.

Years passed with no sign of Patty. Her financial and personal records showed no activity since her disappearance, and authorities suspected foul play. Despite ongoing efforts to solve the case, including following up on leads and suspects, no arrests have ever been made. Patty's boyfriend remains the primary suspect, but conclusive evidence is needed to make an arrest.

In June 2016, Marcia expressed her belief that Patty was no longer alive but hoped for justice to prevail. She told WCMH : "I don’t have hope that my sister’s alive. I knew when she didn’t return that she was not alive, but I have hope that justice will happen, that someone will be held accountable for her death."

More than 9,000 people are following the case through a Facebook page named 'Where Is Patti Adkins'. The page's administrator, to this day, makes repeated pleas to authorities and the local community to assist in solving the case and bringing closure to Patti's loved ones.

Patty Adkins was described as 5’8” tall, weighing 120 lbs., with pierced ears, a pierced belly button, and a tattoo of bluish-green flowers on her lower back. Her family continues to seek answers, urging anyone with information to come forward.

If you have any information about Patty Adkins' disappearance, please contact Lieutenant Jeff Stiers at 937-645-4126 or leave an anonymous tip on the Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime-Tip Hotline at 937-642-7653.

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