Crime & Safety
Vermont Cold Case: Woman Found Dead in River, Killer Still Unknown
Middlebury, VT – Nearly five decades after a 42 year old woman disappeared from a Vermont community, investigators are again drawing public attention to a homicide that remains unsolved. Monday, Novem
By Audrey Sloan · 2026-11-02T10:30:10.604Z
Middlebury, VT – Nearly five decades after a 42 year old woman disappeared from a Vermont community, investigators are again drawing public attention to a homicide that remains unsolved. Monday, November 2, marks 49 years since Wilma Scribner was reported missing in Addison County.
According to Vermont State Police, Scribner was last reportedly seen in Middlebury on November 2, 1977. Her husband reported her missing that day, beginning a mystery that would take nearly two years to produce a tragic discovery.
Woman's Remains Discovered in Otter Creek On March 21, 1979, Scribner's remains were discovered in Otter Creek in Weybridge, a neighboring Addison County community near Middlebury, south of the Burlington metropolitan area.
The discovery came approximately 16 months after she vanished.
Investigators also recovered her vehicle on October 29, 1979, in an area upriver from where her remains had been located.
The vehicle was described in historical case accounts as a dark green, wood paneled 1968 Ford LTD Squire station wagon.
Death Ruled Homicide, Case Remains Unsolved Although Scribner's remains were recovered from a river, investigators determined that drowning was not the cause of her death.
An autopsy concluded that her death was a homicide, according to Vermont State Police.
Despite the passage of nearly five decades, authorities have not publicly identified a person responsible for her killing in the information accompanying the anniversary announcement.
No new arrests or investigative breakthroughs were announced in Monday's statement.
Vermont State Police Renew Attention to Case On the 49th anniversary of Scribner's disappearance, Vermont State Police shared a public reminder of the case and encouraged anyone with information to contact investigators.
Even information that may appear insignificant could be relevant to an unresolved investigation.
Anyone with information about Scribner's death or another unsolved Vermont homicide is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police Major Crimes Unit.
Additional case information is available at vsp.vermont.gov/unsolved/homicide .