The Disappearance of Heather Teague Updated 04/28/2024

Heather Danyelle Teague

"How can you be just memory?

I remember the last time that I saw you

I remember the last time that I spoke to you

How can you be just a memory?

I want to see you today

I want to talk to you today

I want to kow how you are today

I need to know where you are today

I didn’t want you to be just a memory

Yes, you are in my heart

And, yes, I treasure every memory of you

But…I didn’t want you to be just a memory

I wonder if you would be married

Would you have children?

What would you be doing today?

Where would you be living today and I wonder if you would call me today…

I didn’t want you to be just a memory

Your ‘missing person’ poster staring back at me

I haven’t known where you are for eleven years now

And my heart aches for the sight of you

I didn’t want you to be just a memory

But..what a precious memory you are

My first baby..my first miracle to hold and to love

I was born the day that you were born

I didn’t want you to be just a memory

But..I thank God for every memory I have

I watched you drive away that August 24th, 1995 day

I thought we’d have tomorrow to talk and to work our problems out

I am so thankful that you are mine

Memories don’t fade with the passing of time

I just didn’t want you to be just a memory

But..Oh..what a precious gift they are

I remember you, my precious Heather

I miss you, my precious Heather

I need to know where you are, my precious Heather

How can you be just a memory?She was insightful and took the time to listen to others and their problems." 

-Sarah Teague

Heather was born on April 25, 1972, and grew up in the state of Kentucky to Sarah Teague. She graduated as valedictorian of her 8th grade class and in her first year of high school, she was earned the title of Prom Queen. As a sophomore in high school, she was voted President of her class and the next year, Heather became the first runner-up in the Junior Miss Pageant. Heather was also awarded a 4-year scholarship to Western Kentucky University.

She was sunbathing at Newburgh Beach in Henderson County, Kentucky on August 26, 1995. At 12:45 p.m., A witness, who was observing the beach area through a telescope from across the Ohio River, told authorities that he saw a Caucasian man approach Heather at that time. The abductor allegedly grabbed Heather by the hair and dragged her into the woods off of Newburgh Beach at gunpoint. He was approximately 6'0 and weighed 210 to 230 pounds. He had brown hair and a bushy brown beard. He was wearing jeans and did not have shirt on. It was also reported that he was wearing a wig and a mosquito net at the time.

Authorities searched the Newburgh Beach area later in the day.  They discovered part of Teague's bathing suit near the alleged abduction site. Additional evidence was also located, but nothing that could help. She has never been heard from again.

A local farmer who was videotaping unrelated crop vandalism in the area that day caught Heather’s car, and a red Ford Bronco, which was just down the road, on camera. It is unclear, however, if the red Bronco was confirmed to be the same one related to Heather’s abduction.Marvin Ray "Marty" Dill, a resident of Henderson County, Kentucky, was pulled over in a routine traffic stop after Heather disappeared. He drove a red and white Ford Bronco, which was identical to a vehicle a witness reported was parked next to Heather's car at the beach. Police discovered a hair resembling Heather's. They also found two guns, two knives, duct tape, rubber gloves and rope in Dill's vehicle at the time of his traffic stop. The truck had bloodstains on the inside tailgate. Dill also strongly resembled the composite sketch of the suspect in her abduciton.
Investigators received several tips connecting Dill to Heather's case. They went to his home to question him. Dill reportedly told his wife to leave their residence after becoming alerted to law enforcement's presence. He then committed suicide by shooting himself before officers could enter his home.

Prosecutors compiled evidence against Dill after his death and brought the information before a grand jury. His wife was called as a witness, but she invoked her Fifth Amendment rights and refused to answer any questions about Heather's abduction.


Another suspect was Christopher J. Below. He pleaded guilty to attempted involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 1991 death of Kathern Fetzer and is serving a prison sentence of 11 to 18 years for the crime.The body was never found. He is also considered a possible suspect in the disappearances of Mary Kushto, Shaylene Farrell and Kristina Porco. It is speculated that he would attack women who had similar characterists, like that of Heather. He was known to be in the general area when Heather was abducted. Hee left Kentucky on the same day Dill commited suicide. He, Dill and Heather share some acquaintances. The authoritties believe he and Dill may have done it together; perhaps one grabbed Heather and the other drove the getaway car.

Heather's family is convinced that there are two 911 recordings.
Heather's mom filed a lawsuit after being denied access to the 911 tapes. The Kentucky Court of Appeals says state police wrongfully kept records from Heather's mom and should pay her legal costs.

Heather had long brown hair, green eyes, and visibly flat feet (fallen arches). She was 5’2” and weighed 90–100 lbs. Additionally, she had scoliosis or gradually worsening curvature of her spine.

If you have information, no matter how small, please call...

Kentucky State Police 270–826–3312

Sarah Teague (Heather’s mother): Madisonville, Kentucky 270–824–8343

NamUs Regional Program Specialist Amy Hobbs: (865) 235–6523

Heather Teague Goes Missing And So Does Her Cousin That Vows To Find Her.

Heather wrote this while she was on the beach the day she disappeared…

"Every footprint can be heard here. Alone with an amplified ear is the VISITOR
In skin with eyes wondering
Which shoulder to look over and how high to jump, Dear
Watson? I presume rotten sockets are buried in (this) dirt with peace in a box.
Do you have a watch on me? How do they tell time without sunshine? What do they see 2X with one light nobody (NO BODY) to compare to.
I Am Learning
I am learning
I will stand. I will fall.
I will feel embarrassed, happy, mad, scared…everything
I preach not to judge a long-haired hippie until you know him.
How can I denounce anger as ‘bad’ until I ‘know’ it?
I have to feel what it makes me feel.
Be consistent
Day by day
Clay to bone and flesh to clay
Live and learn and love and pray
to understand the words I say.
Let me grow along the way, change my mind and be O.K.
Though I may fall along the way
I will try to live a lesson everyday.
Though I have many roles to play
The decisions that I make today
will decorate my yesterday…Someday!
Survive I will and someday say…
It was I who chose my way."

https://www.change.org/p/heather-s-birthday-unredact-the-fbi-files