MISSING: Cherrie Mahan

The gist

Cherrie Mahan vanished on February 22, 1985, in Cabot, Pennsylvania, just 500 feet between her school bus stop and home. Despite massive search efforts involving the FBI, bloodhounds, and helicopters, no trace of her was found. In 2023—nearly four decades later—a childhood acquaintance told Cherrie's mother, Janice, that John Montgomery and another man had allegedly been molesting Cherrie before she disappeared. This revelation prompted new investigation, uncovering that John's son, William "Buddy" Montgomery, has a serious criminal record for sexual assault and is currently incarcerated.

Key takeaways

• The original van lead proved inconclusive: Witnesses reported a distinctive blue-green van with a mountain skier painting following the school bus the day Cherrie disappeared. Police identified a similar van owned by Donna Patterson, but ruled it out when her brother-in-law had an alibi. No definitive connection was ever established, and the actual van was never found.

• Cherrie showed signs of fear months before vanishing: After moving to a new home, Cherrie told her mother someone was watching her from her bedroom window. She became so frightened she slept on the floor without pillows or blankets for months leading up to her disappearance—a detail her mother didn't initially take seriously.

• William "Buddy" Montgomery has a troubling criminal history: In 2004, Buddy pled guilty to sexual assault, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children, and indecent assault. Despite facing 75 years, he received only 2 years in prison and 10 years probation. He's currently incarcerated for failing to register as a sex offender.

• A second-hand account suggests John Montgomery's involvement: A childhood acquaintance of Janice's reported that John Montgomery and another man were molesting children in the neighborhood, and claims John "chose" Cherrie and was involved in her disappearance. A former friend of Buddy's also reported overhearing Buddy mention his father's involvement in Cherrie's disappearance.

• Buddy Montgomery has been evasive with investigators and the media: When Cherrie's mother reached out to him in prison seeking answers, he repeatedly dodged visits and phone calls, insisting his story be televised with a live polygraph exam—conditions that haven't been met. His recent 8-page letter denied involvement but was vague about what he actually knows.

• An alleged backpack clue remains unverified: A tip suggests that a backpack possibly belonging to Cherrie may have been submerged in a pond on the Montgomery family's 28-acre property after her disappearance, but details are hazy and the property may never have been formally searched in connection with the case.

• Pennsylvania State Police refused to cooperate with this investigation: Police would not be interviewed or release records, citing the case as "active," limiting independent verification of claims and police actions over the decades.

• Cherrie's mother sought legal closure in 1998: After 13 years with no answers, Janice had Cherrie legally declared deceased, though she continued searching. In 2018, she received an anonymous letter claiming Cherrie was killed by a "Quaker cult" and buried at Lock 8 Dam—a lead police investigated but found nothing.

Notable quotes

"I believe this person had the ability to basically lure Cherry to their vehicle without her giving it a second thought prior to her disappearance." — Pennsylvania State Trooper (2011)

"I also wanna make it very clear to you, especially those who are formulating such moronic lies and whoever else thinks slash believes that I may have had anything to do with the disappearance of Cherry Mahan, to go straight to the enslavements of hell." — William "Buddy" Montgomery, in prison letter

Worth a full listen?

Listen to the full episode if you want the complete investigative details, emotional context about Cherrie's family, or if you're willing to help with new leads—Crime Junkie is actively requesting tips at tips@audiochuck.com to help bring closure to this 40-year-old case.