Mary Jean Beatty
Physical Description
Race/Ethnicity: White/Caucasian
Height: 5'7"–5'8"
Weight: 190–245 pounds
Hair Color: Gray or partially gray (described as dirty blond)
Eye Color: Blue
Aliases: Alice Cook, Carol Martin
Scars/Marks:
Scar on abdomen
Scar on left breast
C-section scar
Scar on forehead
Scalding injuries on her neck and breast affecting a tattoo
Tattoos:
Pegasus on inner ankle with three or four stars above it
Butterfly on the upper part of her chest toward the cleavage area, which had been burned over
Clothing and Accessories
Clothing: Last seen wearing a blue Carhartt t-shirt, tan shorts, and black sandals
Eyewear: Wore glasses for reading
Mary Jean Beatty, also known as Mary Jean Olshefski-Beatty, was last seen in early March 2011 after leaving her home on Jenkins Road in Gerrardstown, West Virginia. It is believed she traveled to Boone County with someone and later returned to the Lynco area in Wyoming County. After that, there were no further confirmed sightings. At the time of her disappearance, Mary was living with her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend. Although she had previously gone periods without contact, the length of her absence raised concerns. Mary was officially reported missing nearly a year later. During the investigation, blood was found on the floor of her residence, but it was never tested. Her case remains open, and efforts to find answers continue.
What You Can Do
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Mary Jean Beatty, please contact the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office at (304) 267-7000.
Mary is listed in the NamUs database under case number MP29650.
Even after all these years, Mary's story matters. Any new information, no matter how small, could help bring long-awaited answers.
Behind the Scenes of the Project
On March 2, 2025, a FOIA request was submitted to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office. After receiving no reply, a follow-up email was sent on March 20. The following day, we were informed that documentation had been sent on March 4, though it had not been received on our end.
We responded with additional identifying details, including known aliases and the NAMUS profile. On March 25, the office requested further context and noted that records are only retained for seven years, which may explain the lack of available information. Additional supporting materials, including a published article, were provided that same day. No information or case documents related to Mary were found.
To clarify possible jurisdiction, we contacted the Oceana Police Department on March 26. A FOIA request was sent to their office on April 1.
Finally, on April 7, we reached out to NAMUS to share that the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office had indicated they did not have any record for the case.
The process has been slow and at times uncertain, but our efforts remain focused: to locate records, establish accountability, and keep the case present.