Mary Jo Lee Long

Left and Center: Mary circa, 1981

Right: Age Progressed to age 52


Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: December 27, 1981

Missing From: Gardena, Los Angeles County, California

Classification: Endangered Missing

Date Of Birth: June 6, 1964

Age: 17 years old

Height and Weight: 5’5″ and 115 pounds

Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Female, Brown hair, Brown eyes

NCMEC Number: 602861


Details of Disappearance

Mary Jo Long went missing from Austin, Minnesota on December 27th 1981. She was living with her mother in the area and went to Austin High School. She moved to Gardena, California to live with her father without her mother’s permission in the spring of 1981 but returned to Austin for Christmas with her mother. She then went back to California afterwards Mx

Mary enrolled in Gardena High School and lived in the 13700 block of Alma in Gardena with her father. She disappeared from Gardena on February 22nd 1982 but was not reported missing for several years afterwards. Her mother reported her disappearance in 1988. She has since died after being killed in a car crash in 1989. Her father is still alive and lives in Arizona but it very ill. Relatives continue the search for answers in Mary’s disappearance. She had a boyfriend at the time of her disappearance and her family would like to speak to him.

Mary’s boyfriend was last known to be in California at the time of her disappearance.

Her disappearance remains unsolved and Minnesota authorities are investigating.


Investigating Agency

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Austin Police Department 507-437-9400


Source Information

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

The Charley Project

The Doe Network

NamUs