Teenager Disappears After Getting into Car Outside JCPenney

Investigators are offering $10,000 for new information in a cold case where a 15-year-old girl vanished into a car outside JCPenney, 40 years ago.

Tracy Sue Walker vanished from Lafayette, Indiana, in 1978 and was last seen getting into a car with a group of older men at the Tippecanoe Mall. 

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has now announced a $10,000 reward for any tips leading to the capture, arrest, and conviction of Walker’s killer. 

Back in 1985, skeletal remains along with a necklace made of plastic buttons were found in Campbell County, Tennessee. These remains were only identified as Walker’s in 2022, and until then, they were referred to as ‘Baby Girl’.

The men who had been seen in the vehicle Walker got into were believed to have been working temporarily in the area and took her out of state. 

She was murdered in Elk Valley in Campbell County by her abductors, who investigators believe were well organized with multiple victims. 

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Brandon Elkins said: ‘In cold case homicides, we often find that relationships and relationship changes are the key to solving the case.

‘I believe those types of changes may now make it possible for people in this community to speak up and give us the clues we need in Tracy’s. Someone out there is Tracy’s hero, and I just hope they have the courage to come forward.’ 

Tracy Sue Walker, 15, disappeared from Lafayette, Indiana, in 1978 after she was last seen getting into a car with a group of older men at the Tippecanoe Mall

In 1985, skeletal remains and a necklace of plastic buttons were discovered in Tennessee, but they weren’t identified as Walker’s until 2022

‘We need closure. I know I got her remains, but it ain’t the same [as] knowing what happened to her,’ Walker’s brother, Randy (pictured), said through tears

Local students are aiding in the investigation into finding Walker’s killer after they conducted extensive research into the mysterious tragedy. 

A sociology class at Elizabethton High School is raising awareness of the case.

‘When my classmates and I think about Tracy, we think about how scared she must have been,’ one student, Shelby Edmonds, told WATE 6 News. 

‘She was just a girl, like me. She had a whole life ahead of her – dreams, hopes, maybe siblings like we have – and that was all taken away. She didn’t deserve what happened to her.’ 

Another student said that in continuing to research and share Walker’s story there is hope to resolve her murder and give her justice. 

Andrew Barnett told the outlet: ‘We hope that by sharing her story now, someone who knows something will come forward. 

‘There are still people out there – even in Campbell County – who haven’t heard her name or what happened. We want to change that.

‘We want her story to be heard everywhere, in hopes that someone will come forward with the information the TBI needs to help solve this case.’ 

Her family continue to grieve the loss of Walker and her brother, Randy, has pleaded for information. 

Tracy vanished from the JCPenney at Tippecanoe Mall (pictured above)

‘I believe someone can provide us the information to help us determine who killed Tracy Sue Walker… if you know something please say something. Be her hero today,’ Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Brandon Elkins said

‘She could have been a great mom, a great aunt, but we’ll never know that,’ Randy, said. 

‘We need closure. I know I got her remains, but it ain’t the same [as] knowing what happened to her,’ he said through tears. 

Elkins said: ‘Tracy’s not just a case file, she’s not just a number. She was a young girl, that had a family, friends and a life and someone took that from her.’ 

‘I believe someone can provide us the information to help us determine who killed Tracy Sue Walker… if you know something please say something. Be her hero today.’ 

Those with information are being asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.