Missing Carlene Tengelsen

Bibb County Deputies are currently in search of a woman who has been absent for nearly three weeks.On the 28th of May, Stacey Heichelbech reported her 26-year-old daughter, Nickey, as missing, informing deputies that she had not seen her for two weeks. As per an incident report from the Sheriff's Office, Ms. Heichelbech mentioned that her daughter's boyfriend had inquired if she had seen her, to which she replied negatively. She further conveyed to the deputies her suspicion that he might have knowledge of her whereabouts.

Deputies also revealed that Nickey had posted on Facebook about someone being abducted before her disappearance and that her mother had attempted to contact her numerous times without success.

Ms. Heichelbech informed deputies that Nickey had been kidnapped by her boyfriend years ago, leading her to believe that history might be repeating itself.

Nickey is delineated as a Caucasian woman, standing at five feet and two inches tall, weighing around 130 pounds, with dark hair.

The pursuit continued on Friday for a missing man from Northeast Missouri. Malik Jones of Macon was last sighted on Tuesday evening in Columbia. The Columbia Police Department and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department were the primary law enforcement agencies aiding Macon police in their quest for Jones.

Members of his family traveled from Macon to Mid-Missouri to affix posters of their missing loved one. Jones’ mother and sister dedicated their Friday to placing posters in several Mid-Missouri towns. We rendezvoused with them in Ashland, where they displayed one of their posters at city hall. Jones’ mother expressed her optimism that her son would reunite with her.

Jones’ mother Shawna Patterson remarked, “My children and I have a ritual. Every time we part, we always express our love and embrace. The last encounter I had with Malik was on Monday, where we embraced and exchanged our affection.”

Jones’ sister Neeka Smith articulated, “In Columbia, such incidents are commonplace. Never in a million years would you anticipate it happening to your own family.”

Macon Police Chief Joey Roberts refrained from speculating on foul play in Jones’ disappearance, asserting that it was premature to do so.

Roberts stated, “We're exhausting every avenue. There's extensive coordination between us, the family, the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, and the Columbia Police Department. Every possible lead is being pursued.”

Roberts affirmed the ongoing comprehensive search for Jones, urging anyone with pertinent information to contact Columbia CrimeStoppers at 573-875-TIPS to remain anonymous and potentially claim the $12,500 reward.

Carlene Tengelsen, having recently acquired her driver’s license, eagerly anticipated her first excursion when her mother granted permission to utilize the family car to retrieve her younger sister from summer camp on Wednesday, June 21, 1972. Departing from their residence in Macon, Georgia, during the early afternoon, the 16-year-old intended to make a brief stop at a local shopping plaza before proceeding to Mercer University, where her sister was engaged in a camp activity. Despite inviting her siblings along, both declined, leaving the teenager to embark solo in the white 1963 station wagon. Tragically, Carlene never returned home, vanishing without a trace.

The initial indication of distress surfaced around 4:00 p.m. when 14-year-old Joanette Tengelsen phoned home, puzzled by the absence of her ride from summer camp. Initially reassured by her mother, Joan Tengelsen, that Carlene would imminently arrive, Joanette's concern mounted with each passing hour. After more than an hour elapsed, Joanette contacted home again, reporting Carlene's continued absence. Consequently, 17-year-old Arnelle Tengelsen departed for Mercer University to retrieve her youngest sister.

Joan Tengelsen grappled with growing unease as the hours slipped by without Carlene's return. While acknowledging her daughter's recent acquisition of a driver's license, Joan found Carlene's prolonged absence and lack of communication uncharacteristic. As darkness descended without any sign of Carlene, Joan's anxiety intensified, entertaining the ominous possibility that foul play may have befallen her daughter.

Arnold Tengelsen, Carlene's father, was away on a business trip in Florida when his daughter went missing. Initially hesitant to distress her husband, Joan eventually relayed the distressing news as the evening wore on without Carlene's return. Despite contending with adverse weather conditions amidst an impending hurricane, Arnold hastily abandoned his lodging and embarked on the arduous journey back to Macon.

Joan promptly contacted the Macon Police Department to report Carlene's disappearance, though initial responses were dismissive, attributing her absence to teenage frivolity. Following an exhaustive search for the Pontiac station wagon Carlene had been driving, law enforcement's efforts yielded no results.

That evening, Arnelle altered her plans to assist her mother in the search for Carlene, postponing a date with her boyfriend, Marvin. Together with Marvin, Joanette, and Arnelle, they scoured Macon for hours, distributing flyers and scouring parking lots for any trace of Carlene and the white station wagon to no avail.

The Westgate Shopping Center emerged as a focal point in their search, as it constituted a planned stop on Carlene's route to retrieve Joanette from camp. Local acquaintances at the shopping center corroborated Carlene's presence, providing crucial confirmation of her whereabouts that afternoon.

Subsequent to her visit to the shopping center, Carlene left a note on her boyfriend's vehicle, parked at the Winn-Dixie grocery store where he worked. Although her boyfriend did not encounter Carlene that day, he discovered the note upon concluding his shift. "Dropped by to say hello. See you tonight," it read. Regrettably, Carlene failed to return that night.

Late into the evening and well past midnight, Joanette and Marvin continued their exhaustive search, revisiting the Westgate Shopping Center one final time before heading home. It was during this final sweep that Joanette spotted the white station wagon, nestled inconspicuously in a parking lot across from Krispy Kreme.

Initially dumbfounded by the discovery, Joanette and Marvin were struck by the proximity of a Macon police car adjacent to the station wagon. Approaching the officer, Marvin inquired about the search for a white Pontiac station wagon, pointing out its presence nearby. Despite the recovery of the vehicle, Carlene remained elusive.

When the Pontiac was located, its driver-side door stood ajar, windows left agape. Joan's upbringing instilled in her daughter a meticulous regard for vehicle security, leading her to assert that Carlene would never depart the car under such circumstances. Joan was resolute in her conviction, adamantly refuting suggestions that Carlene would behave contrary to her upbringing.

Law enforcement officials, maintaining their stance that Carlene was likely socializing with friends, dismissed concerns over her absence despite the discovery

 of her vehicle. Arnold, however, harbored grave apprehensions, alleging foul play and insisting on a thorough examination of the Pontiac for evidentiary traces. Though fingerprints were subsequently sought, none were recovered.

Joan attested to Carlene's close familial ties, underscoring her harmonious relationship with her parents and siblings. Carlene shared a bedroom with Joanette, fostering a bond characterized by mutual affection and transparency.

Carlene's younger brother, Tom, recalled her unwavering support in moments of distress, a testament to their close sibling bond.

Prior to her disappearance, Carlene completed her sophomore year at Southwest High School in Macon, where she was held in high regard by peers and educators alike. Adorned with her boyfriend's class ring, she eagerly anticipated their forthcoming date, exhibiting a punctuality and responsibility uncharacteristic of her disappearance.

The Tengelsen family embarked on a tireless campaign, distributing missing person posters and enlisting community support in the search for Carlene. Despite their relentless efforts, the passing weeks yielded scant leads, prompting the family to offer a $500 reward for information leading to her whereabouts.

Despite official inquiries by the Macon Police Department and Macon-Bibb County Civil Defense Office, detectives speculated that Carlene had absconded voluntarily, dampening hopes of a swift resolution. Months elapsed with no breakthroughs, and Carlene remained among the missing in Macon.

Joan's anguish over her daughter's disappearance consumed her, manifesting in sleepless nights and prolonged periods of seclusion. Reluctant to leave home, she remained tethered to the telephone, dreading the prospect of missing a potential update on Carlene's whereabouts. Her vigilance was such that she wore her attire to bed for six weeks, poised for an immediate departure upon receiving news of Carlene's discovery.

The family's anguish was compounded by numerous false leads and spurious claims, further exacerbating their distress. Despite the passage of time, the search for Carlene yielded no substantive leads, with law enforcement's initial reluctance to entertain foul play hindering progress.

In May 1973, Joan resolved to leave Macon, seeking respite from incessant reminders of Carlene's absence. Relocating to Durham, North Carolina, the family sought solace in a fresh start, with Arnold contemplating a career change.

As Joan prepared for departure, arrangements were made to maintain a secondary phone line, ensuring continuity in communication should Carlene attempt to reach out. This gesture of hope persisted for three years, sustained by neighbors until the family's eventual return to Macon in 1977.

On July 1, 1981, Arnold petitioned for Carlene's legal declaration of death, a request granted on August 26, 1981, by a judge in Bibb County. Though her official status remained unchanged, her family reconciled with the grim likelihood of her demise.

Despite enduring profound grief, Joan and Arnold refused to succumb to despair, commemorating Carlene's memory and preserving her legacy through fond reminiscences. Arnold's passing in 2004 marked the culmination of a loving partnership, his memory immortalized by Joan's enduring faith in their eventual reunion.

In 2009, Joan reflected on the evolving landscape of missing children cases, recognizing the enduring anguish shared by bereaved families. Empathizing with their plight, she extended her heartfelt prayers and solidarity, cognizant of the indelible pain etched by uncertainty.

If granted the opportunity, Joan would extend forgiveness to those responsible for Carlene's disappearance, guided by a steadfast faith and an unwavering pursuit of closure. Her unwavering resolve and capacity for compassion endured until her passing in December 2016, her quest for answers eternally intertwined with her enduring love for Carlene.

June 2022 marked the 50th anniversary of Carlene's disappearance, a milestone eclipsed by the passage of time and the irreplaceable void left in her absence. Despite the passage of five decades, Joanette and Tom remained steadfast in their quest for closure, clinging to hope amidst the enduring uncertainty.

Joanette's sentiments encapsulated the enduring anguish of unresolved grief, tempered by a tenacious refusal to relinquish hope. Despite the inevitability of her sister's fate, she remained resolute in her pursuit of truth and justice.

Carlene Sessions Tengelsen's legacy endures as a poignant reminder of love's enduring resilience in the face of adversity. Though her fate remains shrouded in uncertainty, her memory lives on in the hearts of those who loved her, their enduring hope a testament to the enduring power of love and remembrance.

Anyone who has any information on Nickey's whereabouts is urged to contact the Bibb County Sheriff's Office at (478) 751-7500.