The Disappearance of The Springfield Three

The story of the “Springfield Three” is one of the most baffling and heartbreaking mysteries in U.S. history. On June 7, 1992, three women—Stacy McCall, Suzanne “Suzie” Streeter, and Streeter’s mother, Sherrill Levitt—vanished from their home in Springfield, Missouri, leaving behind no clues or explanations. Over three decades later, their case remains unsolved, and their fates are still unknown. Despite extensive investigations, tips, and searches, the mystery of their disappearance has left a lasting mark on the community and the families involved.

This article explores the details of their disappearance, the investigation that followed, the theories that have emerged, and the enduring legacy of the Springfield Three.

The Night Before: Graduation Celebrations

The events leading up to the disappearance began on the evening of June 6, 1992, when 18-year-old Stacy McCall and her friend, 19-year-old Suzanne “Suzie” Streeter, attended their high school graduation from Kickapoo High School. Like many new graduates, the girls had plans to celebrate their achievement. They spent the night hopping between several parties with friends and classmates, enjoying the excitement of their newfound freedom.

Originally, McCall and Streeter intended to stay the night at a friend’s house in Battlefield, Missouri, but changed their plans. They ultimately decided to return to Streeter’s home, where Streeter lived with her mother, Sherrill Levitt, a 47-year-old single mother and cosmetologist. The two girls arrived at the Levitt home, located at 1717 East Delmar Street, sometime between 2:00 and 2:30 a.m. on June 7, 1992.

Unbeknownst to them and their loved ones, this would be the last time anyone saw or heard from them.

The Mysterious Disappearance

The next morning, McCall’s and Streeter’s friends began to worry when the girls failed to show up for their planned trip to a water park. They were supposed to meet other friends around 9 a.m., but neither of them arrived. Multiple phone calls to their home went unanswered. After several attempts to reach them, friends decided to visit the Levitt residence to check in on them.

When they arrived at the house, everything appeared eerily normal. Both cars belonging to Levitt and Streeter were parked in the driveway, as was McCall’s vehicle. The front door was unlocked, and nothing seemed out of place—except for the fact that no one was there. Inside the home, personal items like purses, keys, and even cigarettes (which Streeter reportedly never left behind) were untouched. The family dog, Cinnamon, was also present, further deepening the mystery.

One of the most unsettling discoveries was that the porch light’s glass globe had been shattered, and the lightbulb was missing. However, no signs of forced entry or struggle were immediately visible.

In the hours following their discovery of the empty house, friends and family began a frantic search for the three women, but it soon became clear that something terrible had happened.

The Initial Investigation

The Springfield Police Department was alerted, and an official investigation into the disappearance of the Springfield Three was launched. Detectives scoured the house and the surrounding area for any potential evidence. Although the house appeared undisturbed, investigators did not rule out the possibility of foul play.

Unfortunately, the investigation faced significant challenges from the start. In their concern, friends and family had inadvertently compromised the crime scene by cleaning up and touching various items before the police arrived. This meant that crucial evidence, if any, may have been lost or contaminated.

One of the few pieces of physical evidence that investigators focused on was the broken porch light. However, despite this clue and other efforts, the case quickly grew cold. Investigators conducted extensive searches in the surrounding area, following up on tips, but they were unable to find anything substantial that could explain the women’s sudden disappearance.

Sherrill Levitt: A Life of Independence and Resilience

Sherrill Levitt, the matriarch of the missing trio, was known as an independent and hardworking woman. A cosmetologist by trade, she had raised her daughter, Suzie, on her own after a divorce from her husband, Suzie’s father. Levitt was described as a kind and loving mother, someone who took pride in her work and her home.

In the months leading up to their disappearance, Levitt had recently purchased and moved into the house on Delmar Street. Friends and family described her as happy and excited about her new chapter in life. She had no known enemies, and there were no indications that she had been involved in any dangerous situations. Levitt’s personal life, like that of her daughter Suzie and her friend Stacy, seemed peaceful and uneventful, which made their disappearance all the more perplexing.

Suzanne “Suzie” Streeter: A Young Woman with Big Dreams

Suzanne “Suzie” Streeter was a vivacious 19-year-old with a passion for cars and a love for her family and friends. She was known for her bubbly personality and her ambition to pursue a career in cosmetology, following in her mother’s footsteps. Suzie had just graduated high school and was looking forward to starting a new chapter of her life.

Her close relationship with her mother, Sherrill, was well-known, and the two were considered inseparable. Suzie’s future seemed bright, with many friends and a loving family to support her.

Stacy McCall: A Promising Young Graduate

Stacy McCall, Suzie’s close friend and fellow graduate, was an 18-year-old full of promise and excitement about the future. Described as kind, funny, and loyal, Stacy was a popular student at Kickapoo High School. She had plans to attend college in the fall and was looking forward to the freedom and opportunities that came with adulthood.

Her decision to spend the night at Suzie’s house was last-minute, a change from their original plan to stay with other friends in Battlefield. The decision would forever link her fate with Suzie and her mother, Sherrill.

Theories and Suspicions

As the investigation stalled, various theories about the disappearance of the Springfield Three emerged. Some speculated that the women had been abducted by someone they knew, while others believed they may have been victims of a random act of violence or a burglary gone wrong. The lack of physical evidence left investigators and the public grasping for answers.

One popular theory involved a man named Robert Craig Cox, a convicted kidnapper and suspected murderer. Cox had been living in Springfield at the time of the disappearance, and although he was questioned by authorities, there was no solid evidence linking him to the crime. In later years, Cox would go on to claim that he knew what had happened to the Springfield Three and that they were dead, but he refused to provide any details.

Another theory involved the possibility of a drug-related crime. Some speculated that Sherrill Levitt had been inadvertently caught up in a dangerous situation through a third party. However, there has been no concrete evidence to support this.

Others have considered the possibility of human trafficking or that the women had been abducted and taken out of state. Despite these theories, no breakthroughs have occurred, and the case remains cold.

The Legacy of the Springfield Three

Over three decades later, the case of the Springfield Three continues to haunt the community of Springfield, Missouri. Every year, anniversaries of the disappearance bring renewed attention to the case, but the mystery remains unsolved. The families of Stacy McCall, Suzanne Streeter, and Sherrill Levitt have never stopped searching for answers, holding onto the hope that one day, the truth will come to light.

The house on Delmar Street has long since changed hands, but it remains a chilling reminder of the women who vanished from within its walls. The Springfield Police Department continues to encourage anyone with information about the case to come forward, and a reward for information leading to the resolution of the case is still offered.

In the years since their disappearance, the case has attracted the attention of true crime enthusiasts, journalists, and amateur sleuths. Despite the national spotlight, no definitive leads have emerged. The fate of Stacy McCall, Suzie Streeter, and Sherrill Levitt remains one of the most enduring mysteries in American crime history.

Continuing the Search for Answers

The families of the Springfield Three have never given up hope. Over the years, they have organized searches, raised funds, and lobbied for the case to remain open. Various media outlets, including TV shows like Unsolved Mysteries, have covered the case in hopes of drawing in new tips or information.

Despite the passage of time, there is still a belief that someone, somewhere, knows what happened to Stacy McCall, Suzanne Streeter, and Sherrill Levitt on that fateful night in 1992.

The community of Springfield and the families of the missing women continue to hold onto the possibility that one day, their loved ones will either return or the mystery will finally be solved.

If you have information about the disappearance of the Springfield Three, you can contact the Springfield Police Department at (417) 864-1810 or Crime Stoppers at (417) 869-8477