Unsolved Mysteries: What happened to Dottie Caylor? Details of the 1985 disappearance, explored

The 1985 disappearance of Dottie Caylor was one of the earliest cases featured on Unsolved Mysteries. Unfortunately, the case remains unexplained to this day.

On June 12, 1985, 41-year-old Dorothy Dottie Caylor was dropped off by her husband, Jule Caylor, at the BART station in Pleasant Hill, California. The 5'9 Concord woman with blue eyes and brown hair walked inside the station to buy a ticket and was never seen again. Nearly four decades later, Dottie Caylor remains missing.

Dottie was diagnosed with agoraphobia, a severe fear of public spaces. Going to crowded places, especially a station, was a huge task for her. Nonetheless, she was determined to visit a friend in California as per her husband's statements. On June 13, 1985, when Jule went to the train station to board his train to work, he found Dottie's blue Volkswagen Beetle parked. He found her purse, ID, cash, and library card inside the car, however, her bee kit was missing. Over the next five days, Jule left apology notes in her car.

On June 17, 1985, Jule reported his wife's disappearance to the police upon his neighbors' request. Within two weeks of his wife's disappearance, Jule relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah. Surprisingly, he put his house up for rent and signed a deal days before Dottie's disappearance. Jule previously told his relatives that he was forced to put up the house for rent because Dottie refused to sign the contract papers to put it up for sale.

Dottie's family, friends, and well-wishers knew her relationship with her husband was quite rocky. The two often had physical altercations, which led to Dottie joining a support group called Women in Transition. Dottie slowly started to gain her confidence back, she even opened a bank account and a post office box without Jule's knowledge- basically, she was trying to reclaim control over her life. She withdrew $5000 and converted it into a cashier's cheque, a month before her disappearance. Days later, she was gone-without a goodbye, a witness, or a trace.

Continue reading to know more about one of the first cases covered by Unsolved Mysteries

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Unsolved Mysteries: Who was Dottie Caylor?

Born in Chardon, Ohio, on January 9, 1944, Dorothy May Rusnak was the second child of Joseph Rusnak and Susan Henrietta Westlund, as per the episode of Unsolved Mysteries. Growing up, Dottie was quite religious and loved to gain knowledge. After graduating from high school, Dottie secured a job as a legal secretary.

As per Unsolved Mysteries, Dottie first met Jule Allan Caylor, an entomologist and aerial photographer, in 1970 when he was already married and had a child. They fell in love and Jule divorced his first wife to marry Dottie in 1973. The newly married couple settled in Concord, California, but things seemed quite rocky from the start of their marital life.

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Unsolved mysteries: A troubled marriage

Dottie and Jule's marriage was strained mostly due to Jule's unavailability. Jule worked as an entomologist and a photographer, which required him to work outside the town for most of the time of the year. In 1981, an argument turned physical. Dottie told her friend Paula Powers that Jule had struck her with a board, and she used a pair of scissors to protect herself. On the other hand, Jule's version of the incident was strikingly different. He revealed, Dottie threatened him and his child with a pair of scissors, and he hit her with a typing board to protect them. However, there were no charges filed against anyone.

By 1985, things turned worse when Jule accepted a job transfer to Salt Lake City, and Dottie asked for a divorce. He suggested that Dottie take up the ownership of the Concord house and pay just half its price. Dottie made it clear that she was not ready to relocate, and a few days before he left, she dropped her off at the railway station.

That was the last time, as per Jule, when anyone saw Dottie alive. She had her turquoise leather purse and an overnight bag with her medical card and other belongings.

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Unsolved Mysteries: Forty years later, Dottie Caylor remains missing

Since the police found no evidence that Dottie boarded the train, the investigation was halted after an initial search. Dottie left without a single evidence, no note, no phone call, and her cashier's cheque was never traced.

Her sister, Diane Rusnak, believed Jule was responsible, pointing to the history of abuse and Dottie's efforts to secretly prepare a life without him.

Jule denied harming Dottie and said she left on her own will. Though he remained a person of interest, the police never charged him.

Today, Dottie Caylor's case remains open. Her story continues to raise questions about emotional abuse, mental health, and missed warning signs. Whether she ran away or met with foul play, the truth behind her disappearance remains hidden to date.

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Also read: Unsolved Mysteries: Who is Cindy Song? Details of the 2001 disappearance case, explored