LEAD UP TO DISAPPEARANCE:
On the evening of April 3, 1987, Sarah Boyd, her 2-year-old daughter Kimberly and her friend, Linda McCord, attended a gospel concert in Waltersboro, South Carolina. They were last seen at the event between 10:30pm and 11:00pm.
At the time of their disappearances, they were driving through Dorchester County, South Carolina, en route to their residences in Orangeburg County. A witness recalled seeing their blue Lincoln, which belonged to Linda’s husband, driving between 30mph and 40mph along Route 15. Another vehicle was driving behind it, but they were unable to describe it or its occupants.
DISAPPEARANCE:
Sarah’s husband, Phillip J. Boyd, returned home from work around midnight on April 4, 1987. While he was initially concerned that she and Kimberly weren’t yet home, he assumed they were with relatives or Linda.
He notified the local authorities after waking up at 6:00am and finding they still hadn’t returned.
SEARCH:
On April 5, 1987, the vehicle in which the three had been travelling was located by Linda’s husband at Wells crossroad, near the intersection of Highways 15 and 176. It had been disabled and abandoned, as the freeze plug had blown and the engine had overheated. There was no sign of the trio at the scene, and it’s theorized they pulled over to assess the situation when they disappeared.
On April 27, 1987, the State Law Enforcement Division assisted the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office in a search of a half-mile radius around where the Lincoln was recovered. A plane was brought in to assist. Unfortunately, no evidence was located.
The case received limited media attention.
In August 1987, an advertisement was placed in a local newspaper, offering a $6,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Kimberly, Sarah and Linda.
In 1990, Sarah’s credit card was used at a local mall. Police stated the signature was barely legible and didn’t match the missing woman’s handwriting. The identity of the person who used the credit card has never been established, and it’s currently unknown if they had any involvement in the trio’s disappearances.
The case has since gone cold, and it’s the belief of investigators that foul play was involved. At the time, the Dorchester County Sheriff claimed to have a few suspects, but they never named anyone.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Kimberly Janis Boyd went missing from Orangeburg, Dorchester County, South Carolina on April 3, 1987. She was two years old, and what she was last wearing is unknown. At the time of her disappearance, she stood at 3’4″ and weighed 25 pounds. She had black hair and brown eyes.
Sarah W. Boyd went missing from Orangeburg, Dorchester County, South Carolina on April 3, 1987. She was 32 years old, and was last seen wearing a beige floral print dress. At the time of her disappearance, she stood between 4’6″ and 5’6″, and weighed between 105 and 110 pounds. She had black hair and brown eyes. She may wear eyeglasses, and was known to sometimes go by the name “Genette”.
Linda McCord went missing from Orangeburg, Dorchester County, South Carolina on April 3, 1987. She was 31 years old, and what she was last wearing is unknown. At the time of her disappearance, she had black hair and brown eyes. Her height and weight are currently unknown. She may wear eyeglasses.
Currently, Kimberly’s case is classified as a non-family abduction, while Sarah and Linda’s cases are classified as endangered missing. If alive, Kimberly would be 36 years old, Sarah would be 67, and Linda would be either 65 or 66 years of age.
Those with information regarding the case are asked to contact the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office at either 843-873-5111 or 843-832-0300. Tips can also be called into the Missing Person’s Unit at 843-563-3511.
Image Credit: NamUs/The Charley Project
Stories of the Unsolved 