In the summer of 1988, Annie Hearin — a 72-year-old philanthropist and beloved wife of a Mississippi millionaire — vanished from her home without a sound.

Her purse was still in the hallway.

Her shoes and glasses, untouched.

And by the front door… a typewritten ransom note,

full of spelling errors and veiled threats.

But this wasn’t a demand for money.

It was a demand for justice.

The names of twelve men were listed in the letter — all of them connected to a bitter business feud with Annie’s husband. The FBI would spend years unraveling what happened that day… and who might’ve held the grudge long enough to strike back.

Was it revenge?

A solo operation?

Or something even darker?

This is the chilling story of a Southern disappearance that was never meant to be solved the usual way —

because the person who paid the price…

was never the one being targeted.

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🔎 Sources & Further Reading

1. Unsolved Mysteries Wiki – Annie Laurie Hearin

https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Annie_Hearin

2. WLBT – 3 On Your Side Investigates: The Disappearance of Annie Laurie Hearin

https://www.wlbt.com/story/35976670/3-on-your-side-investigates-cold-case-mystery-the-disappearance-of-annie-laurie-hearin/

3. Doe Network Case File #505DFMS – Annie Laurie Hearin

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/505dfms.html

4. Justia – United States v. Winn (5th Cir. 1990)

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/915/1445/228172/

5. UPI Archives – Heiress Still Missing One Year After Kidnapping (1989)

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/07/26/Heiress-still-missing-one-year-after-kidnapping/3802617428800/

6. Los Angeles Times – Robert Hearin Dies Without Learning Fate of Kidnapped Wife

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-09-mn-8472-story.html

📺 Additional/Corroborative Sources

• Reddit / TrueCrime thread – Local recollections of Annie’s case and the unresolved mystery  

• Simpson County News “30-year-old mystery” – Reflective coverage on the enduring Cold Case ()

• Deseret News – Notes on his wealth, return of ransom checks, and ongoing trial developments ()