Greeley, Colorado – The mysterious disappearance of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews in 1984 has finally come to a tragic conclusion, 35 years after she vanished without a trace. Jonelle, who was one of the first missing children to be featured on milk cartons, disappeared just five days before Christmas, leaving her family and the nation in shock and despair.
Jonelle Matthews was last seen on December 20, 1984, after performing Christmas carols with her middle school’s honor choir. Her friend’s father dropped her off at her home in Greeley, Colorado, around 8 p.m. that evening. When her father, Jim Matthews, returned home about an hour later, Jonelle was nowhere to be found. The television and heater were still on, and her stockings were left on the couch—signs that she had been there but had suddenly disappeared.
Despite the immediate involvement of local police, the case went cold for decades, with only strange footprints in the snow and an apparent attempt to cover them up with a rake offering any clues. The mystery of Jonelle’s disappearance captivated the nation, especially since she was prominently featured in the early milk carton campaigns aimed at finding missing children.
It wasn’t until 2019, when construction workers discovered human remains in a rural area of Weld County, that the case saw a significant breakthrough. The remains were positively identified as those of Jonelle Matthews, finally providing some closure to her grieving family after years of unanswered questions.
In 2020, an arrest was made in connection to her murder, bringing an end to one of Colorado’s longest-running mysteries. The story of Jonelle Matthews, her disappearance, and the eventual discovery of her remains is now the subject of a two-part true crime special, "The Girl on the Milk Carton," which premiered on August 25, 2024.
Jonelle’s family, friends, and community have held on to memories of a vibrant and strong-willed young girl who loved life and brought joy to those around her. While the discovery of her remains has provided some answers, the impact of her loss remains profound for all who knew her.