Somerset, Pa. – Pennsylvania State Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information that could solve the 1985 disappearance of a Somerset mother and her 10-year-old daughter, a case that remains unsolved nearly four decades later.
According to Pennsylvania State Police Troop A in Somerset, Janet Marie Shuglie was last seen June 29, 1985, in Somerset County. She disappeared with her daughter, Marisa Alexandra Shuglie. Janet was reported missing July 2, 1985.
Investigators said the family had been staying at a rental property near Hidden Valley Resort before relocating to the now-defunct Coleman Motel along Route 601. Authorities said Janet had been meeting regularly with a priest at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church for counseling and had planned to see him the morning she vanished.
According to police, Janet left the motel on foot with Marisa and walked across the highway toward Dan’s Auto Sales near the turnpike interchange. Her husband, Francis J. “Frank” Shuglie, told investigators they had argued that morning. Janet reportedly attempted to secure a ride to Pittsburgh to visit relatives but was unsuccessful.
Police said neither Janet nor Marisa has been heard from since that day.
Marisa was described as 5 feet tall and approximately 92 pounds in 1985, with brown hair and brown eyes. Photographs of her are unavailable, authorities said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP Somerset at 814-445-4104 or submit tips online at p3tips.com.
The case may resonate with young families and students who frequent the Somerset area.
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