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Unsolved murders in Placer County, no matter how long ago they
occurred, remain active in law enforcement case files. There are a
number of vicious murders still being investigated since there is no
statute of limitation for a homicide. These cold case files remain open
and detectives continue to look for clues and information that could
lead to solving the crimes. In the coming months, some of those brutal,
unsolved slayings, and the progress in bringing the murderer or
murderers to justice, will be covered in the Sentinel. – editor
Kimberly Ann Morgan-Stewart and her estranged husband, Mike, met at a Wheatland pizza parlor to discuss a divorce where they argued, and after a brief meeting, drove away in separate cars.
That was the last time the woman, 21, of Sheridan, was seen in public, and authorities believe she has been murdered although her body has not been found. She has been missing for more than 30 years.
Her family and Placer County sheriff’s detectives have not given up
hope in finding out what happened to Stewart. Her mother, sisters and
daughters want an answer to the disappearance of their loved one. They
are committed, even driven, to finding out what occurred on the night
of May 24, 1977.
“I want to put a close to this,” said Susan Fasig of Roseville in a
recent interview. Stewart’s older sister says she is not interested in
prosecuting anyone, but wants to find her body to put an end to what
has tortured relatives for decades.
“I know she would not leave her daughters, Fasig said. “We are a close
family of six brothers and sisters, and we spend a lot of time
together.”
The family believes they know who is responsible for her sister’s
disappearance, but Placer County Detective Bill Summers says there is
not enough evidence for him to make an arrest. Fasig believes there are
persons who can provide information to what happened to her sister, and
she encourages them to come forward and assist Placer detectives.
Kimberly Ann Morgan-Stewart
Mrs. Stewart and her estranged husband, Michael, met at the pizza
parlor where they argued, restaurant employees said, and then left a
short time later. The Stewarts had a long history of marital
difficulties, including reports of the missing woman being physically
abused by her husband. Mrs. Stewart’s car was found hours later parked
along Highway 65 between Lincoln and Sheridan. The keys were in the
ignition and her checkbook was in the car.
Mrs. Stewart never returned to pick up her daughters, Lisa and Laurel,
from a Lincoln baby sitter that night, and Placer County detectives say
the woman probably was killed the same evening.
Summers and Lorrie Lewis, sheriff’s missing persons investigator, have
not given up on the case, and are even more determined to follow any
lead to find out what happened to the woman.
At the time Stewart was reported missing, sheriff’s detectives were
still deeply involved in investigating the murder some six weeks
earlier of two PG&E workers along Auburn-Folsom Road. The sheriff’s
department was stretched too thin in personnel to investigate the
report of the missing Sheridan woman, according to detectives.
Missing persons usually do not get the vigorous attention of law
enforcement officers unless the person has been missing for several
days and there is evidence of violence to an individual at the time
they are unaccounted for by relatives or close friends.
Summers said he and Lewis have questioned dozens and dozens of
relatives and associates since the woman was last seen, but have not
found conclusive evidence to make an arrest. Those who knew the woman
well said she would never have left her daughters voluntarily.
Lewis said a witness, who knew Stewart, said he or she saw Kimberly
Morgan-Stewart appearing “in distress” running along Highway 65 between
Sheridan and Lincoln the night she was last seen. The witness also said
there was a pickup parked nearby in a field. The pickup was loaded with
a backhoe.
Sheriff’s detectives went to the area in 2002 and dug up a wide area
around where the pickup was parked. They would not disclose what they
found.
“We have had witnesses who said they have seen the missing woman in the
Lincoln area, but she has a sister, Jody, who looks much like
Kimberly,” said Summers. “We are convinced she met with foul play.”
Since Stewart was reported missing, there has been no record through
social security, credit card purchases, driver license renewal or
anything that would indicate she is still alive, said Summers.
The missing woman and her husband were Lincoln High School sweethearts
and were married when she was 16 in 1972. Stewart was an honor student,
and her husband was student body president. He enrolled at the
University of Oregon after graduating. He returned to Placer County to
join in working in his father’s construction business.
Kimberly filed for divorce in December 1974 and again in April 1977,
about a month before their final meeting at the pizza parlor.
Since the woman was reported missing, Mike Stewart remarried and now is
living north of Placer County. The woman’s father, Tom Morgan, died
several years ago, and her mother has been living out of state.
Summers and Lewis said any creditable information about the missing
woman can be given to the two persons working on the case. Det. Bill
Summers’ number is 530-889-7843. Investigator Lorrie Lewis can be
reached at 530-889-7800 (press 5 to get to the operator).
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