Vanished, Found, and Remembered: The 35-Year Journey to Justice for Jonelle Matthews
Jonelle Matthews was just 12 when she disappeared from her Colorado home in 1984. Her case became one of the first to capture national attention during the early days of the missing children movement. For 35 years, her family had no answers—just grief, hope, and memories. When her remains were discovered in 2019, it reopened a path toward justice.
The eventual arrest and conviction of Steven Pankey brought long-awaited resolution to a community that never stopped caring. This article describes Jonelle’s life, the day she vanished, the decades of uncertainty, and how the truth finally came to light.
A Joyful Spirit in Greeley
Jonelle Renee Matthews was born on February 9, 1972, in Santa Barbara, California, and was adopted by Jim and Gloria Matthews. The family later settled in Greeley, Colorado, where Jonelle grew up alongside her sister, Jennifer. Jonelle had a magnetic personality.
She loved singing, performed in choir, and enjoyed time with friends and family. Her teachers often said she had a spark—someone who lit up a room. That December, Jonelle performed in her school’s Christmas concert. It was a proud moment. Her friend’s father dropped her off at home afterward. It was the last time anyone saw her alive.
The Night Everything Changed
On December 20, 1984, Jonelle came home to an empty house. Her father, Jim, was at her sister’s basketball game. Her mother was out of town. When Jim arrived later that evening, he found the garage door open and the house eerily quiet. Jonelle’s shoes and shawl were near the heater, as if she had just settled in. But she was gone.
Outside, someone had raked the snow to cover up footprints. Police found no signs of forced entry. Despite a widespread search, media coverage, and nationwide flyers, no real leads came. Jonelle had vanished without a trace.
Years of Silence and Unanswered Questions
In the years following Jonelle’s disappearance, her case remained one of the most well-known cold cases in Colorado. Her photo was one of the first to appear on milk cartons in the U.S.—a new program designed to help find missing children. Her family worked with law enforcement tirelessly.
Jim and Gloria never stopped speaking out, hoping they’d bring her home one day. But time passed. Leads dried up. And the case slipped further into darkness, leaving the Matthews family with a gaping void and no closure.
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The Shocking Discovery in 2019
Everything changed in July 2019 when a construction crew laying a pipeline near Greeley discovered human remains. A few days later, dental records confirmed the unimaginable: it was Jonelle. After 35 years, the Matthews family finally had an answer.
The autopsy revealed Jonelle died from a gunshot wound to the head. The location and condition of her body suggested it had been deliberately hidden. Her remains were found less than 20 miles from her home, in a rural area few people would accidentally stumble across.
A New Focus: Steven Pankey
As the case was reopened, investigators turned their attention to a former Greeley resident—Steven Pankey. Pankey had lived just a few miles from the Matthews family in 1984. He attended the same church and had a history of inserting himself into the case. Over the years, Pankey gave police unsolicited information, made strange public comments, and even filed court motions referencing Jonelle’s name.
His ex-wife shared that around the time Jonelle disappeared, he acted paranoid, insisted on taking a sudden road trip, and later forced the family to listen to news about Jonelle on the radio repeatedly. Those details, once scattered and dismissed, now painted a disturbing picture.
The Arrest and First Trial
In October 2020, nearly four decades after Jonelle vanished, Steven Pankey was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping. The news brought shock and relief. Pankey had been on law enforcement’s radar for years, but there had never been enough to make an arrest.
The first trial in 2021 was closely watched. Witnesses described Pankey’s odd behavior, and his ex-wife testified in court. But the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict. The trial ended in a mistrial, reopening old wounds for Jonelle’s family.
Justice Delivered in the Second Trial
A second trial was held in 2022. This time, the evidence hit harder. Prosecutors showed how Pankey had details about the crime he couldn’t have known unless he was involved. Testimonies pointed to his controlling behavior and obsession with the case. The jury found him guilty of felony murder and kidnapping.
Pankey was sentenced to life in prison. He maintains his innocence, but the courts—and Jonelle’s family—finally had an answer. He now resides in a Colorado state prison, serving time for the murder that haunted a town for decades.
Family and friends remember Jonelle Matthews #Datelinehttps://t.co/HSHN4nRcXK
— Dateline NBC (@DatelineNBC) May 24, 2025
Family Endures the Long Road
For Jonelle’s family, the journey was long and painful. Her father passed away before the case was solved. Her sister, Jennifer, carried the emotional weight of the past. She spoke publicly after the verdict, saying she chose to remember Jonelle’s life, not just the pain.
“I’ve carried her with me all these years,” Jennifer said. “I’m not holding on to hate. I’m holding on to her smile, voice, and the good she brought into this world.” The Matthews family never stopped believing in justice. Their resilience was a beacon for other families in similar pain.
Why Jonelle’s Story Still Matters
Jonelle’s case changed how we think about missing children. She became a symbol of the early milk carton campaigns. Her disappearance exposed gaps in communication, tracking, and local response to child abductions.
Her eventual recovery showed how persistence and advancements in forensics can change the course of history. Law enforcement studies her case to this day. It’s a reminder that no case is ever too cold to solve, and no victim should ever be forgotten.
Final Words
Jonelle Matthews was a child full of joy, love, and promise. Her life was stolen, but her story continues to inspire. Her case reminds us of the power of persistence, the strength of a family’s love, and the importance of never giving up hope. For 35 years, her name echoed through empty hallways and aching hearts. Now, it stands as a symbol of justice served—and a young girl finally brought home.
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