Case Spotlight: The Disappearance of Molly Dattilo

On the evening of July 6, 2004, 23-year-old Molly Dattilo disappeared from the west side of Indianapolis, Indiana, leaving behind a mystery that remains unsolved more than two decades later.

Molly was a student at Eastern Kentucky University who was spending the summer taking classes at IUPUI while staying with her brother in Indianapolis. She had spent the day attending class, shopping for school supplies, and dropping off a job application at a nearby Wendy's restaurant. She was looking ahead to graduating, preparing for an upcoming American Idol audition, and making plans with family, hardly the actions of someone preparing to walk away from her life.

That evening, Molly met a man named John Shelton, an acquaintance of one of her friends. The two reportedly spent time together, including taking a boat ride and eating dinner at a Taco Bell. Around 11:00 p.m., Molly used a pay phone at a Thornton's gas station to call a friend, but the call disconnected just as the friend answered. It was the last known sign that Molly was alive.

When Molly failed to return home, her family quickly became concerned. Nearly all of her personal belongings, including her car, wallet, identification, bank card, clothing, and cell phone, were left behind. Her bank account has never been accessed since her disappearance, and there has never been any confirmed activity suggesting she left voluntarily.

In 2008, investigators announced they believed Molly's disappearance should be investigated as a homicide. John Shelton was identified as a person of interest because he was the last known person seen with her, but no criminal charges have ever been filed in connection with the case. In 2010, Molly's family successfully won a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Shelton and his father, Edward Shelton, resulting in a multi-million-dollar judgment, although neither has ever been criminally convicted.

Molly's disappearance also changed Indiana law. After her family fought for reforms, the state enacted the Molly Dattilo Law, requiring law enforcement to accept reports of missing adults immediately when they are believed to be at risk, helping prevent the delays that affected Molly's case.

In 2017, after thirteen years without answers, a judge declared Molly legally deceased. Despite that ruling, her body has never been found, and her family continues to seek the truth about what happened that July night in Indianapolis.

If you have any information about the disappearance of Molly Dattilo or the location of her remains, contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana. Even the smallest detail could help bring long-awaited answers to Molly's family.