Overview

Date Last Seen: May 21, 1976
Location Last Seen: Sears, Hancock Center, Austin, Travis County, Texas
Age: 19 years old
Case Type: Endangered Missing – Possible Foul Play

Main Circumstances:

Her disappearance remains unsolved.

Debra left work early because she was reportedly feeling ill.

She was traveling to a doctor’s appointment at the University of Texas Student Health Center.

She never arrived at the appointment.

Her abandoned vehicle was discovered May 22, 1976, on Ferdinand Street in East Austin.

The vehicle was locked, with the keys still in the ignition.

Witnesses reportedly observed an unidentified man exiting her vehicle.

Investigators examined possible connections to other women who disappeared in Austin during 1976.

Her case was re-evaluated in 2020 and confirmed active by police in 2024.

Detailed Case Breakdown

Debra Kay Stewart: The Unsolved 1976 Disappearance of a 19-Year-Old University of Texas Student in Austin

Missing Since: May 21, 1976
Last Seen: Sears at Hancock Center, Austin, Texas
County: Travis County
Age at Disappearance: 19
Date of Birth: September 5, 1956
Classification: Endangered Missing – Foul Play Suspected
Case Status: Open and Unsolved
NamUs Case Number: MP8671
Texas DPS Case Number: M0612010

The Mysterious Disappearance of Debra Kay Stewart

On May 21, 1976, 19-year-old Debra Kay Stewart disappeared from Austin, Texas, after leaving her part-time job at Sears. A sophomore studying communications at the University of Texas at Austin, Debra had reportedly been feeling unwell and planned to visit a doctor.

She never arrived at her appointment.

The following evening, her abandoned vehicle was discovered in East Austin, approximately one mile from her apartment. The doors were locked, and the keys remained in the ignition.

Nearly five decades later, Debra’s disappearance remains unsolved. Investigators suspect foul play, and her case has drawn attention because of its similarities to the disappearances of other young Black women in Austin during 1976. The Charley Project

Who Was Debra Kay Stewart?

Debra Kay Stewart was born on September 5, 1956. At the time of her disappearance, she was a 19-year-old African American woman attending the University of Texas at Austin.

She was completing her sophomore year and pursuing a degree in communications while working part-time at Sears.

Debra lived in an apartment in the 2700 block of Manor Road in Austin.

She also suffered from a chronic kidney condition that required medication and adequate fluid intake. Her medical condition is an important consideration because she disappeared while reportedly feeling ill.

According to missing-person records, Debra was approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighed 130 pounds, and had black hair and brown eyes. She also had a distinctive scar on one breast. Texas Department of Public Safety

May 21, 1976: Debra Stewart Vanishes After Leaving Work

On Friday, May 21, 1976, Debra reported to her job at Sears in Austin’s Hancock Center near Hyde Park.

During her shift, she reportedly complained of feeling sick and decided to leave early.

Debra was expected to visit the University of Texas Student Health Center for medical attention. However, she never arrived.

Her family had last been in contact with her on May 20, the day before she disappeared.

After leaving Sears, Debra was never reliably seen or heard from again.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, she was last seen wearing:

• Blue patchwork jeans
• A blue long-sleeved blouse with white stitching
• A blue bandana
• A wide belt
• Brown shoes

Her disappearance was particularly concerning because of her medical condition and the unexplained circumstances surrounding her vehicle’s recovery. The Charley Project

Debra’s Abandoned Car Discovered in East Austin

On May 22, 1976, between approximately 8:00 and 9:00 p.m., Debra’s vehicle was discovered abandoned in the 1800 block of Ferdinand Street in East Austin.

The location was approximately one mile from her apartment.

Investigators discovered that the vehicle was locked, but its keys were still inside the ignition.

Despite the suspicious circumstances, investigators reportedly found no obvious evidence of violence inside the vehicle.

Debra’s apartment was also examined. It appeared neat and orderly, with none of her personal belongings noticeably missing.

These findings raised troubling questions about whether Debra had voluntarily entered another vehicle, encountered someone she knew, or been abducted.

None of these possibilities has been publicly established as the explanation for her disappearance. The Charley Project

Witnesses Report Seeing an Unidentified Man Near Debra’s Car

One of the most significant details in Debra Stewart’s disappearance involves witnesses who reportedly observed an unidentified man exiting her vehicle.

According to information documented by The Charley Project and historical reporting, two witnesses described a Black man approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing around 190 pounds.

He reportedly had short hair, a neat appearance, and wore a long-sleeved button-down shirt with dark casual pants.

The man’s identity has not been publicly established.

It is also unknown whether he was involved in Debra’s disappearance or had an innocent explanation for being near her vehicle.

The witness account remains an important detail because it suggests someone other than Debra may have had access to her car after she disappeared. Doe Network

Were Three Missing Austin Women Connected in 1976?

Debra Stewart’s disappearance occurred during a disturbing period in Austin’s history.

Within approximately three months, three young Black women disappeared under circumstances that investigators later examined for possible connections.

Brenda Jean Moore disappeared on March 7, 1976. Her abandoned vehicle was discovered several days later in East Austin, with its keys still inside.

Jennifer Joyce Barton disappeared on May 16, 1976, just five days before Debra. Jennifer was reportedly last seen leaving an East Austin bar with men associated with a brown van.

Debra Kay Stewart disappeared on May 21, 1976, and her vehicle was subsequently discovered near the location where Brenda Moore’s car had been found.

The similarities between Debra’s and Brenda’s cases were particularly notable. Both were young Black women, both disappeared in Austin, and both had vehicles recovered with keys left inside.

Investigators also examined possible social connections between Debra and Jennifer, who reportedly had mutual acquaintances associated with East Austin’s 11th Street area.

However, there is no publicly confirmed evidence establishing that the three disappearances were committed by the same person.

A fourth woman, Pinkie Mae Davis-Herron, disappeared from the Del Valle area in September 1976. Her disappearance has also been discussed alongside the other cases, although a direct connection has not been established. The Charley Project

Early Investigation and Unanswered Questions

Investigators pursued multiple leads following Debra’s disappearance.

Authorities examined her apartment, investigated her personal relationships, and searched for information that might explain what happened after she left Sears.

Police reportedly investigated Debra’s boyfriend but found no evidence connecting him to her disappearance.

Her parents also hired a private investigator in hopes of discovering information that police had not uncovered.

Investigative efforts reportedly extended beyond Texas, but none resulted in Debra being located.

According to historical reporting, investigators even examined whether Debra could have been among those who died in the 1978 Jonestown tragedy in Guyana. That possibility did not produce a match.

Despite these efforts, investigators were unable to determine what happened to Debra after she left work. Tapatalk

Latest Investigation Updates: What Authorities Have Revealed

2017: Investigators Discuss the Unsolved Disappearance

On May 12, 2017, KXAN published an investigation titled Unsolved: Young, Black and Vanished.

The report examined the disappearances of Debra Stewart, Brenda Moore, and Jennifer Barton.

Austin Police Detective Richard Faithful explained the difficulties investigators faced when attempting to solve cases with limited physical evidence and few new leads.

The report also documented efforts to compare missing-person cases against unidentified human remains.

Mary Bell, a volunteer with The Doe Network, explained that some potential matches had been eliminated through dental records or DNA comparisons.

No identification resolving Debra’s disappearance was reported. Doe Network

2020: Debra Stewart’s Case Re-Evaluated

One of the most important publicly documented developments occurred in 2020.

According to information the Austin Police Department provided to MySA in 2024, investigators re-evaluated Debra’s case in 2020.

Police stated that her disappearance had received extensive investigative attention over more than three decades.

Authorities also acknowledged similarities between Debra’s disappearance and Brenda Moore’s case, particularly the locations and conditions of their abandoned vehicles.

The department did not publicly announce that the review had identified a suspect or established what happened to Debra. MySA

June 2024: Austin Police Confirm Investigation Remains Active

On June 23, 2024, MySA published an updated examination of four Black women who disappeared from Central Texas in 1976.

The publication obtained information directly from local law enforcement.

The Austin Police Department confirmed that the cases remained open and were considered active investigations.

Authorities reiterated their hope of eventually providing answers to the missing women’s families.

The report also confirmed that Debra’s case had been re-evaluated in 2020.

This is the most recent case-specific police status update identified in the sources reviewed for this article. MySA

September 2024: Renewed Public Attention

On September 16, 2024, the Gone Cold – Texas True Crime podcast released an episode examining the disappearances of Debra Stewart, Brenda Moore, and Jennifer Barton.

The episode explored the investigations, similarities between the cases, and the limited media attention initially given to the missing women.

The podcast encouraged anyone with information to contact the Austin Police Department or Texas Department of Public Safety. Apple Podcasts

Investigation Status as of October 2026

As of October 15, 2026, publicly accessible sources reviewed for this article have not established that Debra Stewart has been located.

Her case continues to appear in the Texas Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Clearinghouse, classified as endangered with possible foul play.

No verified public announcement of an arrest, criminal charges, identification of remains, or confirmed resolution was located.

Although authorities confirmed the investigation was active in 2024, the current investigative steps being taken have not been publicly detailed.

Debra Kay Stewart’s disappearance remains publicly unresolved. Texas Department of Public Safety

What Happened to Debra Kay Stewart?

Fifty years after Debra disappeared, several critical questions remain unanswered.

Investigators have not publicly established why her car was abandoned in East Austin, who the unidentified man seen near the vehicle was, or whether her disappearance was connected to the other missing women.

Her medical condition, unexplained failure to arrive at her doctor’s appointment, and abandoned vehicle remain significant circumstances.

Although foul play is suspected, Debra has not been publicly confirmed as a homicide victim.

Her case illustrates the enduring challenges of investigating decades-old disappearances, particularly when physical evidence is limited and witnesses may no longer be available.

For Debra’s loved ones, the central question remains the same: What happened after she left Sears on May 21, 1976?

Anyone with information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, is encouraged to contact the Austin Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit.

Brief Case Summary: Debra Kay Stewart

Date Last Seen: May 21, 1976
Location Last Seen: Sears, Hancock Center, Austin, Travis County, Texas
Age: 19 years old
Case Type: Endangered Missing – Possible Foul Play

Main Circumstances:

Her disappearance remains unsolved.

Debra left work early because she was reportedly feeling ill.

She was traveling to a doctor’s appointment at the University of Texas Student Health Center.

She never arrived at the appointment.

Her abandoned vehicle was discovered May 22, 1976, on Ferdinand Street in East Austin.

The vehicle was locked, with the keys still in the ignition.

Witnesses reportedly observed an unidentified man exiting her vehicle.

Investigators examined possible connections to other women who disappeared in Austin during 1976.

Her case was re-evaluated in 2020 and confirmed active by police in 2024.