Flint Teen's Disappearance Remains Unsolved 40 Years Later

Sheri Jo Elliott vanished on her way to school in 1983, and her body was later found in a ditch.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a single bullet casing against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the violence of Sheri Jo Elliott's unsolved murder.A grim reminder of the violence that cut short Sheri Jo Elliott's young life 40 years ago.Flint Today

It's been 40 years since 16-year-old Sheri Jo Elliott disappeared on her way to school in Flint, Michigan. Her body was discovered a few days later, and investigators determined she had been sexually assaulted and shot multiple times. Despite the passage of time, this cold case remains unsolved.

Why it matters

Sheri Jo Elliott's tragic disappearance and murder is one of many unsolved homicides in the Mid-Michigan area that have gone unsolved for decades. Her case highlights the ongoing struggle to bring closure to victims' families and the challenges law enforcement faces in cracking these long-cold cases.

The details

On November 16, 1983, Sheri Jo Elliott left her home on Seneca St. in Flint to walk to her bus stop around 6:30 am. She was last seen near the intersection of W. Dartmouth and Clio Roads. Four days later, her body was discovered in a ditch by a man setting muskrat traps in Saginaw County. Medical examiners determined she had likely been alive as late as November 19 and had been sexually assaulted and shot multiple times.

  • Sheri Jo Elliott disappeared on Wednesday, November 16, 1983.
  • Her body was discovered on November 20, 1983.

The players

Sheri Jo Elliott

A 16-year-old girl from Flint, Michigan who was abducted and murdered in 1983.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest in Sheri Jo Elliott's murder case.

The takeaway

Sheri Jo Elliott's tragic case is a sobering reminder of the many unsolved homicides in the Mid-Michigan region that have left families without closure for decades. This underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in cracking these long-cold cases and the importance of community support in helping to bring justice for victims.