Eyerly, circa 1982

Sherry Melissa Eyerly
Missing since July 4, 1982 from Salem, Marion County, Oregon.
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics

• Date Of Birth: December 6, 1963
• Age at Time of Disappearance: 18 years old
• Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: N/A
• Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair; blue eyes.

Circumstances of Disappearance
Eyerly was called into work at her part-time job delivering pizzas for Domino's Pizza on July 4, 1982. She was sent to deliver three large pizzas to a remote location on Riverhaven Drive near Minto-Brown Island Park late at night. She left Domino's about 9:30 pm.

A nearby resident came across the delivery car about one half hour later, returning from a fireworks display with his two sons. The the driver's door open, the engine running, the headlights on and the emergency brake set. The pizzas lay on the ground near her car. Eyerly was gone. The neighbor called the police who later determined that the delivery address did not exist. The caller had given a fictitious name and the call had been placed from a Salem motel.

Investigators say the crime appeared to be carefully orchestrated, ruling out simple rape and robbery. She was likely flagged down by someone she knew - she felt comfortable enough to set the parking brake and open the door. There were no signs of a struggle.

Extensive searches of the area failed to turn up anything. She has not been seen since.

William Scott Smith, a convicted serial murderer serving two life sentences pleaded guilty on December 17, 2007 to the disappearance of Sherry Eyerly. Smith said Eyerly died during a botched kidnap attempt.
After kidnapping the wrong woman, Smith strangled his victim to death in a secluded spot along the Little Pudding River, he told police. He left her body in the river.

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

Marion County Sheriff's Office
Detective Mike Myers
503-540-8096
or
Cold Case Squad
503-540-8006
Email

Agency Case Number: 82-100070

NCIC Number: N/A
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
Marion County Sheriff's Office
Statesman Journal 2007