Bottom Right: Age-Progression by NCMEC to age 57

Karen Lynn Tompkins
Missing since August 18, 1961 from Torrance, Los Angeles County, California.
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics

• Date Of Birth: July 25, 1950
• Age at Time of Disappearance: 11 years old
• Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 4' 11" - 150 cm; 55 lbs - 25 kg.
• Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Blue eyes; blonde hair.
• Clothing: Royal blue shorts with a white printed band on the bottom, a white sleeveless blouse, rubber sandals, and a white cardigan sweater.
• Dentals: Not available

Circumstances of Disappearance

Tompkins was last seen on August 18, 1961, at approximately 1:00 p.m. leaving the Halldale Elementary School grounds. She was en route home and was never seen again. Although police and her family members believe a kidnapper grabbed her, no one knows for sure what happened.

In March 1970, Mack Ray Edwards surrendered to police and confessed to murdering 6 children between 1953 and 1970. He once claimed to have killed 18 but in 1971 while on death row he committed suicide.
Edwards confessed and was convicted of the murder of Gary Rochet, Donald Allen Todd, and Stella Darlene Nolan. He also confessed to killing Brenda Jo Howell, Donald Lee Baker, and Roger Dale Madison. He was never charged with the murder of these children because their bodies haven't been found.
He is suspected in the disappearances of Bruce Kremen, Karen Lynn Tompkins, and Thomas Eldon Bowman. Investigations are currently underway, some new and some re-opened.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Los Angeles Police Department
Cold Case Unit
213-485-2129

Agency Case Number: 0305-04054

NCMEC #: NCMC952801

NCIC Number: M-462968190
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
CA DOJ
Los Angeles Police Department
LA Times