If you have information on this case, contact the Arkansas State Police at 870-777-8944.

On July 20, 1978, Mary "Bo Bo" Shinn left to show a client a home she had flipped, but never returned. Her final words to a friend over the phone were "If I don't come back, send someone to look for me". Hours later, her vehicle was found abandoned behind a grocery store. All signs pointed to foul play. To this day, she has never been found. 

In this episode, we discuss the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, the timeline of her last known movements, the various tips that came in, and recent developments in the case. 

We also talk about Mike DeBardeleben as a possible suspect, and the similarities between Bobo, Terry, and Jean's cases. 

Listen to the Trace Evidence episode on this case: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trace-evidence/id1239217007?i=1000694217709

SOURCES:

• Monae, Chelsea, 44-year-old mystery of “Bobo Shinn” still haunts small Arkansas city, August 18, 2022, KTVE/KARD
• Reward offered for woman’s return, July 25, 1978, The Batesville Guard
• Family of missing Magnolia woman increases reward offer to $35,000, July 31, 1978, The Batesville Guard
• Bocklage, Judy, One Officer continues to work on Shinn Case, October 27, 1978, The Batesville Guard
• Suspect might be questioned in disappearance, February 2, 1984, The Batesville Guard
• Monae, Chelsea, Haunting disappearance: woman vanished in South Arkansas 47 years ago, July 24, 2025, KTVE/KARD
• Woman missing, July 23, 1978, The Daily World
• Detective says he has prime suspect in disappearance of Magnolia woman, November 22, 1979, The Shreveport Journal
• Martin, Phil, The 6-year search for Bo Bo Shinn, October 30, 1984, The Shreveport Journal
• Foul play is feared, July 22, 1978, The Sun
• Reward offered in search for missing woman, July 25, 1978, The Sun
• Second Reward is Now Offered, July 30, 1978, The Sun
• Bocklage, Judy, Another Dead-End in Search, October 27, 1978, The Sun
• New search for woman launched, July 25, 1978, The Southwest Times Record
• Magnolia woman believed abducted, July 26, 1978, The Southwest Times Record
• Investigation of disappearance develops baffling dead ends, October 27, 1978, The Southwest Times Record
• https://dps.arkansas.gov/law-enforcement/arkansas-state-police/divisions/criminal-investigations/cold-cases/mary-jimmie-bobo-shinn/
• Trace Evidence: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trace-evidence/id1239217007?i=1000694217709

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Theme Song: Shrouded Lament by james.lfo, William Claeson