The Fake Pizza Order That Led to a Tragic Crime: Sherry Eyerly’s Story

Sherry Eyerly was just 18 years old when her life took a tragic turn. She wasn’t supposed to work on the day she vanished, but she was called in to cover a shift. On that fateful evening, Sherry left around 9:30 PM to deliver a pizza—and never returned.

Her abandoned delivery van was found later that night. The engine was still running, and nearby were three pizza boxes, her hat, and clear signs of a struggle. Investigators discovered the delivery address she had been sent to was fake. The name given to place the order was false, and the call had originated from a hotel. These clues led police to believe her disappearance was part of a calculated plan, but they had little else to go on.

Adding to the mystery, a ransom call was made the next day demanding money for Sherry’s safe return. However, the caller never contacted the police again or attempted to collect the ransom.

The First Lead

In the days following Sherry’s disappearance, the police issued an alert for a suspicious truck seen in the area. A few days later, a woman came forward with a tip. She suspected her brother-in-law, Darrell Wilson, who owned a truck matching the description. Strangely, Darrell had repainted his truck a different color the day after Sherry disappeared.

Investigators dug deeper and learned that Darrell had known Sherry and was reportedly interested in dating her. He also had a history of drug problems, which made him a prime suspect. When questioned by the police, Darrell appeared nervous and jittery. His responses were evasive, and he denied knowing Sherry, despite evidence to the contrary. His alibi also had significant gaps, including an unaccounted-for nine-hour period.

A Psychic’s Involvement

The police turned to psychic John Catchings for help. A month after Sherry’s disappearance, John claimed to have seen her in a vision. He described her standing at the foot of his bed. Days later, he received a package about her case and recognized her as the woman he had seen in his vision.

John believed that Sherry had been abducted by someone she knew casually but not well. When detectives began naming suspects, John pointed to Darrell Wilson as the person involved. During a visit to Darrell’s home, the psychic claimed to see images that matched his earlier visions.

Only hours after John identified Darrell, the suspect took his own life. Though there was no physical evidence tying Darrell to the crime, his suicide raised suspicions and cemented public belief in his guilt.

Unsolved Mysteries Steps In

Sherry’s case gained national attention when it was featured on the television show Unsolved Mysteries in 1991. The episode heavily focused on the psychic’s testimony. Despite the attention, police found no solid evidence linking Darrell to the crime. A behavioral profile of Sherry’s kidnapper didn’t match Darrell’s history or personality. Investigators shifted their focus to other suspects with a history of similar crimes.

A Chilling Similarity

One case caught their attention. About 18 months after Sherry’s disappearance, a college student named Katie Redmond vanished under eerily similar circumstances. Katie left a party late at night, and her car was found with the engine running and the door open. Signs of a struggle were evident. Tragically, Katie’s body was later found by a river.

Katie’s killer, William Scott Smith, was arrested and convicted of her murder. This prompted investigators to question him about Sherry’s case, but Smith denied any involvement. His alibi placed him far from the crime scene, and there was no evidence to tie him to Sherry’s disappearance.

A Break in the Case

For over 20 years, Sherry’s family endured heartbreak as her case grew cold. Then, investigators discovered a crucial lead. Local police records revealed that Smith had been stopped and questioned near the crime scene on the night of Sherry’s disappearance.

Determined to find answers, investigators reached out to Smith’s former cellmates. Two inmates claimed that Smith had admitted involvement in the abduction of a “pizza girl.” They even provided a recorded confession. Armed with this evidence, police confronted Smith.

The Confession

Smith eventually confessed, motivated by the promise of being transferred to a different prison. He revealed chilling details about the night Sherry disappeared. Smith explained that he and his accomplice, Roger, had planned to kidnap one of Sherry’s coworkers. However, Sherry ended up taking the shift that night.

According to Smith, Roger placed the fake pizza order. When Sherry arrived, Smith flagged her down. As she stepped out of the van to retrieve the pizzas, they grabbed her and forced her into their truck. Smith admitted to strangling Sherry and disposing of her body in a river.

Smith’s account matched the physical evidence from the crime scene, but no trace of Sherry’s remains was ever found. Tragically, her family was left without the opportunity for closure.

Justice After 25 Years

On December 18, 2007, William Scott Smith pleaded guilty to Sherry Eyerly’s murder. More than two decades after her disappearance, the mystery was finally solved. Smith, already serving three life sentences for other crimes, showed no remorse for taking Sherry’s life.

Sherry’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can change. Her kind and loving nature left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her. Though her life was tragically cut short, the resolution of her case brought some measure of peace to her grieving family.

Remembering Sherry

Sherry Eyerly was a vibrant young woman with her whole life ahead of her. Her disappearance and murder were senseless tragedies. While justice was eventually served, the pain of losing her will always remain. Her story continues to be a testament to the enduring love of her family and the determination of investigators who never gave up on finding the truth.

FAQ: The Tragic Case of Sherry Eyerly

1. Who was Sherry Eyerly?

Sherry Eyerly was an 18-year-old pizza delivery driver from Oregon. She was described as a kind and loving person with a bright future ahead of her.

2. What happened to Sherry Eyerly?

On July 4, 1982, Sherry disappeared while delivering a pizza. Her van was found running near the delivery location, with evidence of a struggle. The address she was sent to did not exist, and the pizza order had been placed under a fake name.

3. Was there a ransom demand?

Yes, a day after Sherry’s disappearance, someone called in a ransom demand for her safe return. However, the caller never followed up or attempted to collect the money.

4. Who was initially suspected?

Darrell Wilson, a man who knew Sherry and reportedly wanted to date her, became the primary suspect. His nervous behavior during questioning and a suspicious repainting of his truck raised red flags. However, there was no concrete evidence linking him to the crime.

5. Did a psychic help solve the case?

Psychic John Catchings became involved and claimed to have visions of Sherry. He pointed to Darrell Wilson as the suspect. Hours after the psychic’s involvement, Wilson committed suicide, but his guilt was never proven.

6. Was the case ever solved?

Yes, the case was solved 25 years later. William Scott Smith, a convicted murderer, confessed to abducting and killing Sherry after being offered incentives to cooperate.

7. How did William Scott Smith commit the crime?

Smith admitted to working with an accomplice, Roger, who placed a fake pizza order. When Sherry arrived, they abducted her, strangled her, and disposed of her body in a river.

8. Was Sherry’s body ever found?

No, despite Smith’s confession, Sherry’s remains were never located.

9. What happened to William Scott Smith?

William Scott Smith pleaded guilty to Sherry’s murder in 2007. At the time, he was already serving three life sentences for other crimes.

10. What impact did Sherry’s case have on her family?

Sherry’s family endured decades of uncertainty and heartbreak. While her case was eventually solved, the lack of physical evidence prevented full closure.

11. What lessons can be learned from this case?

Sherry’s story highlights the importance of thorough investigation, perseverance in cold cases, and advancements in crime-solving techniques. It also serves as a reminder of the dangers that can arise in everyday situations.

12. Why is Sherry’s story still significant?

Sherry’s case represents the resilience of her family and the dedication of investigators who refused to let her disappearance remain a mystery. It is also a cautionary tale about the impact of violent crimes on victims and their loved ones.