Benita Woody Disappeared After Moving to Texas. Days Later, Her SUV Was Found Abandoned in Oklahoma.

Benita Woody was a devoted mother, a woman of strong faith, and someone who wanted to make a difference. After earning her degree in Law and Justice from Rider University in 2009, she hoped to help people facing workplace discrimination. In 2020, she moved from New Jersey to McKinney, Texas, but remained close to her children and family, speaking with them regularly.

On the morning of August 5, 2020, Benita left her home in her gray 2007 GMC Yukon. It would be the last confirmed time anyone saw her. When her family couldn't reach her for several days, growing concern turned into fear, and she was officially reported missing on August 14.

Investigators soon made a startling discovery. Benita's SUV had already been found abandoned along Interstate 40 near Geary, Oklahoma, roughly 250 miles from her home in McKinney. Oklahoma authorities had located and towed the vehicle before anyone realized Benita was missing. Despite examining phone records, very little information about the investigation has ever been made public.

To this day, investigators have not said why Benita traveled toward Oklahoma, whether she was alone when she left home, or what happened after her vehicle was abandoned. There have been no confirmed sightings of Benita since she left McKinney, and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain a mystery.

Benita was 42 years old when she disappeared. She is approximately 5'6", weighs about 170 pounds, has brown eyes, and often wore wigs with long, straight black hair, making her appearance vary.

How You Can Help

Someone may remember seeing Benita, her SUV, or something unusual along Interstate 40 near Geary, Oklahoma, on or around August 5, 2020. Even the smallest detail could be the missing piece investigators need.

If you have any information about Benita Woody's disappearance, please contact the McKinney Police Department at 972-547-2700. Please also share Benita's story. Every share helps keep her name in the public eye and increases the chance that someone with information will come forward.