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- Personal Information
- Demographics
- Possessions
- Location
- Circumstances
- Recovered Remains
- Further Details
- Contact Police
Personal Information
- Photo
- Surname
- Dorsey
- Given Name
- Ruth Purcell Murphree
- Alternative Name
- Photo After Aging (Age Progression)
- Status
- Missing
Demographics
- Date of Birth
- July 21, 1905
- Birthplace
- Age
- 69
- Age Group
- 60s
- Age as of Today
- 117
- Gender
- Female
- Hair Color
- Brunette
- Eye Color
- Grey
- Height (ft'in")
- 5'4
- Height (cm)
- 163
- Height Range
- 5'0" - 5'6"
- Weight (lbs)
- 105
- Weight (kg)
- 47.6
- Weight Range in Pounds
- 100-110
- Build
- Ethnicity
- Caucasian
- Distinguishing Characteristics
- Photo of Distinguishing Feature
- Medical
- Physical Abnormality
- Tattoos
- Tattoo Location
- Tattoo Theme
- Tattoo Subject
- Scars & Other Marks
- Piercings
- Shoe Size
- Nationality
- Languages Spoken
- English, French
Possessions
- Clothing (Key Word)
- Pants: Brown, Pants: Green, Pants: Jeans, Shirt: Floral, Shirt: Blouse, Skirt: Brown
- Clothing (Full Description)
- Flowered-print blouse, long brown skirt or pants or green jeans and a top
- Possessions / Accessories
- Photo of Clothing or Accessories
Location
- Address
- Route 1
- City
- Opelika
- Province or State
- Alabama
- Country
- United States
- Postal Code
- Latitude
- 32.6559
- Longitude
- -85.5523
Circumstances
- Date of Disappearance
- August 17, 1974
- Notes
- Dorsey was last seen on August 17, 1974 in Opelika, Alabama. She visited the Spring Villa Grocery between 16.30 and 17.00 and got gasoline for her car, a 1972 Ford Galaxy. Dorsey told the gas station attendant that a relative had called her and she was going to pick the person up. One of Dorsey's neighbors reported seeing her turn into her driveway at 18.00. She has not been seen since. She was reported missing after she failed to arrive at church the next day. When authorities went to Dorsey's home on Route 1 in Opelika, they found the front door open and a side door unlocked. Laundry was hanging on the outside clothesline, Dorsey's Bible and Sunday School teaching materials were laid out on the table, and her bed did not appear to have been slept in. Her three dogs were found in the bathroom. Dorsey's car was found in downtown Opelika near the First Baptist Church and in front of the home she had shared with her late husband. The keys were in the ignition and her eyeglasses and purse were on the front seat. Nothing appeared to be missing from the purse and it contained $11 in cash. There have been no withdrawals from Dorsey's account since she disappeared.
- Location of the Disappearance or Crime Scene
- Home, Vehicle
- Potential Circumstances
- Abandoned Vehicle, Alone, Driving, Visiting Friends or Family
- Vehicle
- 1972 Ford Galaxy
- License Plate
- Photo of Vehicle
- Suspect
- Suspect Description
- Photo of Suspect
Recovered Remains
- Date of Recovery
- Time of Death
- Cause of Death
- Description of Recovery
- Recovery of Remains
- Tested Against (No Match)
Further Details
- In-Depth Case Overview:
- Map of Key Locations
- Relevant Media
- See Also
- Notice URL
- www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/4796?nav
- Poster(s)
- Other Photos
- Case File Photos
Contact Police
- Contact Agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Contact Police (Email)
- Contact Police (Phone)
- (855) 835-5324
- Contact Police (Local)
- 911
- Contact Police (Website)
- tips.fbi.gov/contact
- Alternative Contact
- Crime Stoppers: https://www.crimestoppersusa.org/programs/locate-a-program or try ICMP: icmp@icmp.intNCMEC: (800) 843-5678