Kathleen Pehringer : “Police and Daughter Seek Closure in 35-Year-Old Wyoming Cold Case”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Cold Case Wyoming Mother Missing
2. Police Daughter Investigation Cold Case

Kelly Pehringer still remembers the day her mother, Kathleen Pehringer, disappeared 35 years ago, altering her life forever. Kathleen vanished from their home in Riverton, Wyoming, leaving behind unanswered questions and a devastated family. Kelly’s suspicions point to a person of interest, Donald Pack, a convicted criminal with a troubling past. Despite the lack of closure, Kelly remains hopeful for justice and continues to work with authorities to find her mother. Now sober and rebuilding her life, Kelly reflects on the impact of her mother’s disappearance and the challenges she faced as a result.

Kathleen Pehringer’s Mysterious Disappearance

35 years ago, on April 17, 1989, the peaceful town of Riverton was rocked by the sudden disappearance of 42-year-old Kathleen Pehringer. Her daughter, Kelly, who was just 14 at the time, returned home from school to find her mother missing without a trace. Kathleen, a student at Central Wyoming College and a part-time worker at the Hilltop Bar, had vanished, leaving behind only confusion and worry in her wake.

As Kelly and her friends entered their one-story white house with black trim, located just across the street from Ash Grove Elementary School on 1st Street, they noticed Kathleen’s absence. Normally, Kathleen would leave a note for Kelly, detailing her whereabouts and expected time of return. However, on that fateful day, there was no note to be found, signaling that something was amiss.

The house appeared undisturbed, except for the surprisingly empty ashtray on the coffee table. Typically overflowing with Kathleen’s cigarette butts, the ashtray now contained only two butts – one belonging to Kathleen and the other to her new friend, Donald Pack, recognizable by his unique way of squinching the filter down to a tiny nub.

The Suspicious Connection

Donald Pack, a questionable figure in Kathleen’s life, had recently been spending time with her after meeting her ex-boyfriend in prison. Kelly found Pack unsettling and harbored suspicions about his involvement in her mother’s disappearance. On the day Kathleen went missing, Pack had stopped by looking for her while Kelly was at home with her friends. He asked to use the phone, quickly dialed a number, and left without leaving a message, raising Kelly’s suspicions further.

Despite Kelly’s concerns and her subsequent call to the police after finding no trace of her mother, Kathleen remained missing. The case was eventually handed over to the Wyoming Division of Investigation in 2012, and Kathleen was legally declared deceased in May 1998, with her case reclassified as a homicide investigation.

A Potential Breakthrough

Although Pack has not been formally named a person of interest, his connection to Kathleen’s disappearance remains under scrutiny. With a criminal history that includes a conviction for rape and a recent involvement in two more rape cases, Pack’s past actions shed light on his potential involvement in Kathleen’s vanishing.

As Kelly continues to seek closure and justice for her mother, she remains hopeful that one day the truth will come to light. Despite the hardships she has faced since her mother’s disappearance, including struggles with addiction and mental health issues, Kelly’s determination to uncover the truth remains unwavering.

Moving Forward

Today, as Kelly reflects on the 35th anniversary of her mother’s disappearance, she remains resolute in her quest for answers. With a renewed sense of purpose and the support of her reconnected family, Kelly is determined to find closure and bring justice to her mother’s memory.

As the investigation into Kathleen’s disappearance continues, Kelly’s hope for a resolution remains steadfast. With each passing year, she is reminded of the enduring mystery that surrounds her mother’s vanishing and the need for closure that drives her forward.

If you have any information regarding Kathleen Pehringer’s disappearance, please contact the Wyoming Division of Investigation at 307-777-7181 or submit an anonymous tip on their website. Your contribution could make a difference in bringing closure to Kelly and her family.

**Jen Kocher can be reached at jen@cowboystatedaily.com.**

By incorporating more details about the setting and expanding on Kelly’s journey, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the 35-year-old cold case of Kathleen Pehringer’s disappearance in Riverton, emphasizing the ongoing quest for justice and closure.