Circumstances of Disappearance
Trlica was last seen at the Seminary South Shopping Center on December 23, 1974. She was accompanied by Lisa Renee Wilson and Julie Ann Moseley. The three girls were Christmas shopping.
Rachel’s car was found in the parking lot that evening with wrapped presents on the back-seat floorboard.
A few days later, a letter from Rachel arrived at the home of her husband, Thomas.
"I know I'm going to catch it, but we just had to get away. We're going to Houston. See you in about a week. The car is in Sear's upper lot. Love Rachel."
The letter was written by a right-handed person when Rachel was left-handed. Handwriting experts are uncertain who wrote the letter, their tests inconclusive. While initially the letter was thought to have been mailed from Eliasville in Young County, the U.S. Postal Service has determined that it was mailed in Fort Worth.