In the summer of 2004 Sallisaw was marked by a chilling mystery that remains unsolved to this day. Faith Marie Van Nortrick, a 44-year-old woman, vanished without a trace on August 7, 2004, leaving behind a trail of questions and heartache for her family and the community.
Faith was last seen near Chickasaw Avenue and Elm Street in Sallisaw at around 4:00 p.m. on the day she went missing. Her disappearance was reported a few later when she failed to return home, sparking a frantic search by local authorities and volunteers. Despite extensive efforts, no significant leads emerged, and Faith's whereabouts remain unknown.
Van Nortrick had been reported missing a few days before her last sighting after walking away from her home in Hitchcock, Texas. This incident occurred when her son attempted to have her committed to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. On the day she disappeared,
Faith was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly after behaving erratically at a convenience store. The arresting officer noted that her speech was slurred and her pupils were dilated.
However, after she was booked, the police discovered that she was not intoxicated. Her family was contacted to pick her up, but when no one could come, she was released. She has never been heard from again.
At the time of her disappearance, Faith was suffering from schizophrenia. While it caused her to wander, it was uncharacteristic of her to remain out of contact with her family for long periods. Furthermore, she was not carrying any identification at the time she vanished, compounding the difficulty of locating her.
. The lack of clues and the passage of time have only deepened the mystery, leaving her family in a state of perpetual uncertainty.
The case of Faith Marie Van Nortrick is classified as an endangered missing person, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the situation. Despite the efforts of law enforcement and the community, the trail has gone cold, and the questions surrounding her disappearance remain unanswered.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Faith Marie Van Nortrick, please contact the Sallisaw Police Department at (918) 775-4142. Your information could be the key to solving this enduring mystery and bringing peace to her family.
