Overview

Date last seen: March 29, 1990

Date last seen: March 29, 1990

Last known location: Hartford Avenue, Johnston, Rhode Island

Main Circumstances

1. Doreen Ann Marfeo disappeared from her home on March 29, 1990.
2. Her vehicle, personal belongings, pets, and most of her money were left behind.
3. Her husband, Stephen Marfeo, waited approximately two and a half days before reporting her missing.
4. Investigators have long suspected foul play, but no one has ever been charged.
5. Doreen has never been located and remains a missing person.

Detailed Case Breakdown

Doreen Ann Marfeo Disappearance (March 29, 1990): Case Summary, Timeline, and Latest Investigation Information
Very Brief Summary
Date last seen: March 29, 1990
Last known location: Hartford Avenue, Johnston, Rhode Island
Main Circumstances
Doreen Ann Marfeo disappeared from her home on March 29, 1990.
Her vehicle, personal belongings, pets, and most of her money were left behind.
Her husband, Stephen Marfeo, waited approximately two and a half days before reporting her missing.
Investigators have long suspected foul play, but no one has ever been charged.
Doreen has never been located and remains a missing person.

Doreen Ann Marfeo Case Summary
Doreen Ann Marfeo was a 34-year-old Johnston, Rhode Island woman who vanished without a trace on March 29, 1990. More than three decades later, investigators continue to classify her disappearance as a suspected homicide, despite never recovering her remains or filing criminal charges.
Before her disappearance, Doreen had reportedly been experiencing serious marital problems. According to investigators, her husband, Stephen Marfeo, had become increasingly jealous and suspicious, even hiring private investigators on multiple occasions because he believed she was having an affair. Those investigators reportedly found no evidence that she had been unfaithful.
In an effort to repair the marriage, Doreen reportedly resigned from her position at the Rhode Island School of Design. Friends and family later stated she was committed to saving the relationship despite ongoing difficulties.
On March 29, 1990, Doreen was last seen at the couple’s Johnston residence. According to Stephen Marfeo, he returned home for an unusually long lunch break, ate lunch with his wife, then returned to work. When he arrived home later that afternoon, he claimed she was gone.
Several aspects of the disappearance immediately raised concerns for investigators.
Doreen allegedly left with only a small amount of clothing, yet she left behind her vehicle, toothbrush, hair curlers, identification, pets, and access to approximately $50,000 in joint bank accounts. She also failed to make a routine telephone call to her mother, something relatives said was highly unusual. There were no signs of forced entry or a struggle inside the residence.
Perhaps most troubling to detectives was the delay in reporting her disappearance. Stephen Marfeo did not notify police until roughly two and a half days later, reportedly after Doreen’s mother threatened to contact authorities herself.
Searches of nearby ponds, wooded areas, and other locations failed to uncover any trace of Doreen.
Months after she disappeared, investigators received two anonymous typewritten letters. One described an alleged account of Doreen’s murder and disposal, while another accused her of multiple affairs. Detectives eventually traced the typewriter used for one of the letters to Stephen Marfeo’s mother’s home. Authorities publicly stated they believed Stephen wrote the letters, although he denied doing so. The evidence was insufficient for prosecution.
Despite years of investigation, police were unable to gather enough evidence to file homicide charges.
The case took another tragic turn in July 1999, when Stephen Marfeo fatally shot an estranged girlfriend before fleeing to Connecticut, where he died by suicide. Because of his death, investigators lost the opportunity to question him further about Doreen’s disappearance.
Today, Johnston Police continue to classify Doreen Marfeo as a missing person, with foul play strongly suspected. Her NamUs case remains active, and investigators continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Latest Investigation Information
There have been no publicly announced major investigative breakthroughs or arrests in recent years.
The case remains open with the Johnston Police Department and is still listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as an active missing person investigation (NamUs Case MP8644). Authorities continue to believe the circumstances surrounding Doreen’s disappearance are suspicious and encourage anyone with information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, to contact investigators.