Frank Jay Pettingill

On the evening of August 31, 1991, 38-year-old Frank Jay Pettingill left his summer home in his 1974 Chevy GMC. He told his wife, Mary Ann, that he was going into town to pick u a TV Guide from Curtis Mathes and hobby glue from Fred Meyer. When he didn’t return home, Mary Ann, reported him missing two days later on September 2, 1991.

That same day, mushroom pickers discovered a body in the Blue Ridge Road area. The remains were later identified as Frank Pettingill. An autopsy confirmed he had died from homicidal violence - the weapon has never been recovered.

Frank was the manager of Hallmark Fisheries, and his death shocked the local community. As word spread, witnesses came forward with key observations. Several reported seeing a blonde female with Frank in his truck at Fred Meyer on August 31. The same woman was seen again on September 1 near the South Jetty at Bastendorff Beach in Charleston, where she had reportedly gotten Frank’s truck stuck in the sand. Witnesses said she was searching for biker friends she believed was on the beach. She was later seen hitching a ride to the Blue Moon bar in Coos Bay.

At the Blue Moon, witnesses reported seeing her in conversation with individuals associated with the Outsiders and Gypsy Jokers motorcycle clubs. This was the last known sighting of the unidentified woman. It is unclear whether either motorcycle club was involved in Frank’s murder.

DNA evidence, possibly belonging to the unidentified female, was recovered from the crime scene. However, it has never been matched to anyone in CODIS, (Combined DNA Index System), the national database used to compare DNA profiles from violent crimes.

Additionally, the unidentified woman reportedly took three professional stunt kites from Frank’s truck.

Unidentified Female

Have a tip regarding Frank’s death? Please call:

Coos County Sheriff’s Department Tip Line: 541-396-7800.

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