EARLY LIFE:
Carla Corley was born on December 31, 1965, to Nelda Corley Leopold. A sweet, intellectual and giving young woman, she was extremely close to her older sister, who’d moved out of the family’s residence by the time Carla had entered her teenage years.
At the time of her disappearance, the 14-year-old was preparing to enter the seventh grade, something her loved ones say she was looking forward to.
DISAPPEARANCE:
Approximately one month before Carla went missing, in July 1980, the teenager was abducted by a group of men, who took her to Lake Purdy and sexually assaulted her. It was only after three hours that they finally let her go, with the family not reporting the crime to police.
This wasn’t the only time the men went after the 14-year-old. About a week before her disappearance, they returned to the family’s apartment in Birmingham, Alabama’s Eastwood public housing project, on Airport Highway, but they weren’t able to enter the residence.
On the evening of August 12, 1980, Carla and her mother spent time together. They washed dishes and watched television, with Nelda going to bed before her daughter. When she awoke at 4:30 AM the next morning, Nelda found the living room in disarray. Chairs had been pushed away from the table, there was a soda bottle turned over and the apartment doors were wide open, with Carla’s belt lying on the ground just outside the front door. The 14-year-old’s new tan sandals were found lying by the couch, where she’d left them the night before.
Worryingly, there was no sign of Carla.
SEARCH:
Almost immediately, Carla’s family knew she hadn’t run away. She’d left all of her belongings behind, along with what money she had and the medication she took to manage seizures.
Over the years, tips have poured in regarding the case, but none have led police to any persons of interest or suspects. There was one suspect who claimed to know what happened, but he quickly recanted his story.
Investigators didn’t learn of the rape Carla had suffered until 18 years after she went missing, and it’s unknown if the men involved in that crime are responsible for her disappearance.
Based on tips they received from the public, several excavations were conducted in relation to the case, with the latest occurring in 2005. One such search took place in 1998, when a psychic claimed that evidence connected to Carla’s disappearance was buried by a small lake near Palmerdale, Alabama, but nothing of interest was unearthed.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has released an age-progression image of what Carla might look like at 55 years old. Her DNA has been compared against numerous Jane Does, with no matches made.
Since her daughter went missing, Nelda has received calls from people attempting to cash in on her daughter’s disappearance. Carla’s sister has also been warned that she could be killed if she keeps looking for her, but this hasn’t stopped her from continuing her search.
It’s the family’s belief that Carla was sexually assaulted and murdered shortly after her disappearance. As such, they’ve had her legally declared dead.
DETAILS:
Carla Rebecca Corley went missing from Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, on the night of August 12, 1980. She was 14 years old and was last seen wearing a navy blue blouse with a “Peter Pan” collar and three white buttons; blue corduroy pants; and a silver turquoise ring. She may have also been carrying a brown knit purse.
At the time of her disappearance, Carla stood between 5’1″ and 5’3″, weighed 120-130 pounds, and had brown hair and hazel eyes. As aforementioned, she suffered from epileptic seizures that required medication to keep under control. The condition was the result of slight brain damage.
Carla had a noticeable scar on her right knee.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Currently, the case is considered a non-family abduction, meaning foul play is suspected. Carla’s dentals and DNA are available for comparison, should her remains be found.
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Birmingham Police Department at either (205) 328-9311 or (205) 933-4189.
Image Credit: NCMEC
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