City officials mark awareness week after teen girl disappears from small town Scott City in 1979

SCOTT COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) – A small community with a big cause.

In April 2024 Scott County officials named April 17th Scott County missing persons and Cheryl Anne Scherer day, marking remembrance for the day the teen girl disappeared from small town Scott City in 1979, leaving decades worth of an impact on the community.

19-year-old Cheryl Anne Scherer  went missing nearly 46 years ago from the Rhodes u pump gas station that she worked at on main street in Scott City.

Now her community and family are saying they haven’t forgotten.

Diane Scherer-Morris is Cheryl’s sister. She says Cheryl loved to sew and loved animals. She grew up with a loving family in Scott County on a farm. The cause of Scherers disappearance remains a mystery, but local law enforcement say they will continue to follow this case.

Mike Williams is the Scott County Seargeant and detective and weighs in on the case.

“We really tried to form a union with the family and work this together and communicate back and forth so that we can better understand each other and better investigate this because people come to the family all the time with stuff and we wanted clear lines of communications and even with the new sheriff he is dedicated to this” says Williams.

The disappearance of the sweet red-haired blue-eyed teen has rocked the Scott County community for decades and now through community efforts along with county commissioners and the city of Scott City they have dedicated the week of April 17th to be Cheryl Ann Scherer and missing persons week.

With yellow ribbons placed around Scott County along with missing persons banners. Cheryl’s family also has missing persons bracelets, key chains, and pins that can be picked up at the Scott City historical museum next to a mural based around Cheryl’s disappearance that serves as a reminder of the unwavering support of the community.  

 “I think it’s through their support that it strengthens us to want to keep Cheryl’s name out there, to want to do these things and we can’t stress enough how thankful we are that we have not only the community’s support but the local law enforcement’s support too” says Diane Scherer-Morris.

Scott County law enforcement, community members and Cheryl’s family all have one goal ….to bring her home.

“Anytime we go out to do an event with KBSI or any news organization, Dateline or anything like that we start to get a few tips. What were really hoping is that we get that one thread that we can pull and unravel this and bring Cheryl home” says Williams.

Scott County detectives saying they aren’t giving up and will continue to investigate and her family saying they’ll never stop searching.

“And so we will just never, never give up” says Anthony Scherer Cheryl’s brother.

“Every little detail when it comes to Cheryl, we need them to come forward with even the smallest thing, if they think its insignificant it may be what we are missing” says Diane Scherer-Morris.

To find out more about Cheryl Anne Scherer (20+) Facebook.

Donations for Forensic Anthropology Cold Case Team at Southeast Missouri State University in honor of Cheryl Anne Scherer is being collected. If you would like to make a donation you can contact the family through Cheryl’s Facebook page and find out the many ways you can contribute to the Remembrance Fund for Cheryl Anne Scherer.

To report tips or information related to Cheryl Anne Scherer scottcountymo.com/crime-tips.php.