More than 44 years after she disappeared, the case of Janice Fullam remains one of Long Island’s most enduring missing person mysteries.
Fullam was 17 years old when she vanished on Oct. 30, 1981. According to investigators, she was last seen at approximately 10:45 p.m. after leaving a friend’s home in the Hauppauge area of Suffolk County. She was reportedly heading toward a nearby shopping center to look for her brother but never arrived and has not been seen since.
At the time of her disappearance, Fullam was a student at Smithtown High School West and was looking forward to Halloween plans the following night. She had also recently obtained a part-time job and was reportedly excited about the opportunity.
However, Fullam was also facing legal troubles. Authorities said she had been arrested in connection with LSD sales to an undercover police officer and was scheduled to be sentenced just five days after she disappeared.
Investigators initially theorized that Fullam may have voluntarily left to avoid sentencing. A warrant was later issued for her arrest after she failed to appear in court.
Her family and boyfriend strongly disputed that theory. They pointed to the fact that she left behind her belongings, had very little money with her, and had recently been making plans for the future, including her new job and Halloween activities.
Over the years, loved ones have maintained that Fullam may have been the victim of foul play.
Today, her disappearance remains classified as an endangered missing person case.
Fullam was described as 5-foot-7 and approximately 120 pounds with brown shoulder-length hair and green eyes. She had frosted highlights in the front of her hair and may have gone by the nickname “Bucky.”
She was last seen wearing a maroon leather jacket, a blue-and-red striped pullover shirt, and tight-fitting jeans.
The photos accompanying this story include age-progressed images created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children showing what Fullam may have looked like later in life.
Anyone with information about Janice Fullam’s disappearance is urged to contact the Suffolk County Police Department at 631-852-6110.
