DISAPPEARANCE:
On December 1, 1984, Angela Westberry and Theresa Hickmon were seen with two Caucasian males leaving Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. The four were aboard a 42′ or 46′ 1960 Richardson boat called the Sea Fever, which featured a white hull and twin cabins with a cockpit between them.
The Sea Fever was last seen on December 14, 1984, when US Customs spotted it in the Grand Cayman Islands. It’s unknown where it had been between then and the day it left Jacksonville, and it’s also unknown if both Angela and Theresa were on board at the time. What is known is that the Sea Fever was never seen again.
After she hadn’t seen or heard from her, Angela’s sister reported her as missing. It’s believed both she and Theresa were going on a vacation to the Bahamas aboard the boat at the time of their disappearances.
Currently, the date of Angela’s disappearance is listed as December 1, 1984, the day the Sea Fever left Jacksonville. Theresa’s disappearance, however, is listed over a month and a half later, on January 16, 1985. Authorities haven’t stated why this is, but some have speculated there could be information that hasn’t been publicly released, as Theresa was initially listed as an accomplice to Angela’s disappearance, before being named a missing person.
THEORIES:
Since there is very little information available regarding Angela and Theresa’s disappearances, online sleuths have come up with numerous theories.
1) The first theory in the case is that the Sea Fever may have sunk whilst out at sea. Given the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s not out of the question to assume that a boat could sink and not be found. However, opponents of this theory state that it’s unlikely, as Angela was the only one aboard to have been reported missing.
2) A second theory is that Angela and Theresa could have been murdered by the two men they were seeing boarding the boat with and their bodies thrown into the sea. This would explain why the two of them have never been seen again and why the two men with them have seemingly disappeared. It’s possible they could have gone into hiding to avoid questioning and/or prosecution if they did indeed murder the girls.
3) Some believe Angela and Theresa could have vanished of their own accord, meaning they planned to go missing when they boarded the Sea Fever. However, this doesn’t account for why the boat itself has never been seen again. If the two girls had chosen to go missing, why would the boat they were on also disappear, instead of docking in another country or port?
4) Two final theories in the case are brought up by a Websleuths user, who says the girls could have either been involved in drug trafficking or were forced into human trafficking. According to this user, it was common in the 1980s for drugs to be brought into the United States via Florida’s coastline, so it’s possible the two men Angela and Theresa were with were involved in the drug trade. Perhaps the girls didn’t know what they were getting themselves into.
In regards to the human trafficking theory, it is possible, as it’s not unheard of for young girls to be abducted and trafficked internationally. However, given the lack of sightings, it’s difficult to say if this theory holds any weight.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Angela Loraine Westberry was last seen in Jacksonville, Florida on December 1, 1984. She was 17 years old. While what she was wearing is currently unknown, she does have her ears pierced. She stood at 4’10” and weighed approximately 95 pounds. Her curly hair is described as blonde/red, and she has blue eyes. Some agencies spell her first name “Angelea” and her middle name “Lorraine”.
Theresa M. Hickmon’s date of disappearance is listed as January 16, 1985. She was 20 years old at the time, and what she was last seen wearing is currently unknown. She stood at 5’4″ and weighed approximately 120 pounds. She has brown hair and hazel eyes.
Currently, Angela’s case is classified as a non-family abduction, while Theresa is classified as endangered missing. Foul play is suspected in both their disappearances. If alive, Angela would be 52 years old and Theresa would be 55 years old.
If you have any information regarding the case, you can contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or the Duval County Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-2627.
Image Credit: National Missing Person Directory/The Charley Project
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