Sheriff’s Office Seeks New Tips in Brenda Bottoms Case

Nearly 39 years after a young Auburn woman vanished, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office is renewing its request for information in the disappearance of Brenda S. Bottoms.

Bottoms was 22 years old when she was last seen on the night of June 28, 1987. According to investigators, she left her residence in the 200 block of North 5th Street in Auburn with a female acquaintance and walked to a local tavern. Later that evening, while walking home, the two encountered two men and went to an apartment complex in the same block to talk.

Witnesses told authorities that Bottoms was later seen getting into a brown vehicle described as having dents on the passenger side. Investigators said she appeared to know the occupant or occupants of the vehicle and entered voluntarily. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Over the years, the case has remained open. In 2025, the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division conducted multiple interviews with individuals connected to the events of that night. Through those efforts, investigators developed new information indicating that additional individuals may have been present and may have seen Bottoms before her disappearance.

Sheriff Paula Crouch said the department is asking anyone who may have information to come forward, regardless of how minor it may seem.

“Even small details could prove significant in advancing this investigation and helping us provide answers to Brenda’s family,” Crouch said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 217-753-6840. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 217-788-8427 or visiting cashfortips.us.