Chapter 1: The Disappearance of Mary Louise Day

Childhood is often seen as a time for joyful exploration and learning. However, for some, it is marred by hardship and trauma. Mary Louise Day's early years were overshadowed by such darkness that, when she vanished in 1981, her mother did not initiate a search.

The family dynamic shifted dramatically when Charles Day and Charlotte Pressler's marriage fell apart, leading to their three daughters—Sherrie, Mary, and Kathy—being placed into foster care. After Charlotte wed William Houle, Kathy and Mary returned to their mother, while Sherrie was adopted by her foster family.

In 1978, the family relocated to Hawaii for William's military job, where he began to abuse Mary. Authorities intervened, taking her into protective custody in December 1980. The following year, the family moved to California, and Mary was eventually reunited with them. However, one fateful night in 1981, while left alone at home at the age of 13, Mary faced a brutal attack from William, leading to her disappearance.

Section 1.1: The Aftermath of Mary’s Vanishing

The next morning, Mary was nowhere to be found. Charlotte told those who inquired that Mary had run away, and for years, no missing person report was filed. It wasn't until 1994 that Sherrie filed a report, prompting the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to create an age-progressed image of Mary.

In 2003, cadaver dogs led police to her former residence, where they indicated the possible presence of human remains. Despite digging, no body was found. Investigators focused on Charlotte and William, who maintained that Mary had simply run away.

Subsection 1.1.1: A Twist of Fate

Around nine months later, a routine traffic stop revealed a woman named Mary Day with an Arizona ID. Detective Joe Bertaina spoke with her, and she claimed to have escaped after William's attack. However, doubts arose regarding her identity. To clarify, she consented to a DNA test, which confirmed she was indeed Charlotte's biological daughter.

Sherrie invited Mary to live with her in North Carolina, but discrepancies in Mary's memories of their past led to growing skepticism among the sisters.

Chapter 2: The Search for Truth

The first video titled "What Ever Happened to Mary Day? | Full Episode - YouTube" delves into the intricacies of Mary’s case, exploring the events surrounding her disappearance and the ensuing investigation.

Mary's identity remained contentious. In 2017, a police chief named Judy Veloz took a keen interest in the case, tracing Mary’s movements after she had gone missing.

Veloz discovered that Mary had lived with a woman named Morie Kimmel shortly after her disappearance. A photo from that time, verified to be Mary by a facial recognition group, provided further insight into her life.

The second video titled "Missing 13-Year-Old, Believed to be Murdered, FOUND ALIVE 22 Years Later? | Mary Louise Day - YouTube" recounts Mary’s incredible journey and the implications of her return.

Ultimately, Sherrie’s visit to Mary in 2017 confirmed her suspicions about her sister's identity. Tragically, Mary passed away later that same year, leaving behind a complex legacy of survival and uncertainty.

Sources:

Barney, C. 2020. “48 Hours recalls mysterious Seaside cold case of Mary Day” in The Mercury News.

CBS News. 2020. “The mysterious disappearance of Mary Day” in CBS News.

Jacob, R.M. 2022. “CBS 48 Hours: Was Phoenix Mary the Real Mary Day? How Did She Die?” in The Cinemaholic.

Maher, M. 2021. “Could a suspected murder victim — back from the dead — really be an impostor?” in CBS News.