Jefferson County, PA – Pennsylvania State Police are once again asking the public for help in solving the nearly two-decade-old disappearance of Joey Lynn Offutt, a case investigators now believe involved foul play.
According to Pennsylvania State Police Troop C, investigators continue to seek information about the disappearance of 33-year-old Joey Lynn Offutt, who was last seen at her home on the 90 block of Fugate Drive in Sykesville on July 4, 2007. Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the case being solved.
According to investigators, neighbors were awakened by an explosion at Offutt’s home at approximately 4 a.m. on July 12, 2007. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, they discovered the body of an infant in a bathtub. DNA later identified the child as Offutt’s six-week-old son.
Police said investigators determined the infant had died before the fire began, although the exact cause of death could not be established. Authorities also concluded the fire had been intentionally set using an unspecified accelerant.
Offutt was not found at the residence, and investigators discovered her purse and identification in the burned home. Her two older children were not at the residence during the fire and were placed with relatives.
On July 15, 2007, Offutt’s vehicle—a red 1994 Saturn with Virginia license plate JXN8871 and visible hood damage—was found abandoned at the Nittany Gardens Apartments in State College, where she had previously lived. According to police, investigators believe Offutt met with foul play and is deceased. She was legally declared dead in 2016.
Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP Punxsutawney at 814-371-4652 or PSP Tips at 1-800-472-8477 or submit information online through the PSP Tips website.
