The Enduring Mystery of Abby Lynn Patterson – Still Missing After More Than 8 Years (as of March 31, 2026)

No major breakthroughs have been reported in the disappearance of Abby Lynn Patterson since the original 2017 alerts. The case remains an active, open investigation with the FBI Charlotte Division and the Lumberton Police Department.

The official FBI wanted poster and case details are unchanged, and authorities continue to seek public tips. Her family has increased a reward to up to $10,000 for information leading to her location.

Abby would now be 29 years old (born February 15, 1997; she turned 29 on February 15, 2026). Below is a fully updated, comprehensive breakdown of every known detail, incorporating the latest publicly available information from official sources.

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Who Is Abby Lynn Patterson? Complete Physical and Personal Description

• Date of Birth: February 15, 1997
• Age at Disappearance: 20 years old
• Current Age: 29 years old (as of March 2026)
• Sex / Race: Female / White
• Height: 5’7″
• Weight: 140 pounds (at the time of disappearance)
• Hair / Eyes: Brown / Brown

Scars and Marks (Critical Identifying Features):

• Tattoo: A single bird on her shoulder (visible in photos).
• Birthmark: A distinctive, permanent birthmark on the back of her right thigh.

These permanent features remain the most reliable ways to identify her today. While age-progression concepts might show her at 29, her core descriptors—height, eye color, and the tattoo/birthmark—have not changed.

Last Seen Clothing:

• Brown shorts and a white shirt. This casual outfit indicates she expected a short, routine outing.

Exact Timeline and Circumstances of Her Disappearance

• Date and Time: Tuesday, September 5, 2017, around 11:30 a.m.
• Location: East 9th Street, Lumberton, North Carolina.

Abby had recently returned to Lumberton to visit family over the Labor Day weekend. She had been living in a sober living facility in Jacksonville, Florida, after successfully completing a drug rehabilitation program for a heroin addiction in Charlotte, NC. She was supporting herself and had reportedly just been accepted into college with plans to become a counselor.

On the morning of September 5, Abby told family members she was stepping out to “run some errands” and would be home in about half an hour. She texted her mother, Samantha Lovette, indicating she was with old high school friends and not to worry. She waved goodbye to her grandmother and walked down East 9th Street toward Inglewood Avenue.

A witness observed her getting into an older model brown Buick sedan (sometimes described by witnesses as a Buick Park Avenue) parked on the side of the road. She has not been seen or heard from since. Crucially, after about an hour had passed, calls to her cell phone began going straight to voicemail. Her mother filed the missing-person report around 6:00 p.m. that evening. There has been zero contact with family, her long-term partner, or friends, and no social media or financial activity.

The Brown Buick – Key Vehicle in the Case

• Make: Older model Buick sedan
• Color: Brown
• Status: The vehicle itself has been accounted for. Police successfully identified and interviewed the driver, who was an acquaintance of Abby’s. According to his statement, Abby called him requesting a ride to another location. He stated that he dropped her off there and had no further knowledge of her whereabouts afterward. While the vehicle and driver are no longer “unknown,” the trail after the drop-off point has gone completely cold.

Location Context: Lumberton, North Carolina

Lumberton is the county seat of Robeson County, with a population of approximately 20,000. It sits about 95 miles south of Raleigh and 30 miles from the South Carolina border, directly on Interstate 95. This proximity to a major interstate raised early concerns about multi-state travel, which is why the FBI’s involvement was critical from the start.

The Shadow of Unsolved Cases: In the months prior to Abby’s disappearance (April through June 2017), three other women—Rhonda Jones, Kristin “Christina” Bennett, and Megan Oxendine—were found deceased under suspicious circumstances in Lumberton. Like Abby, they had struggled with substance abuse. However, despite the close timeline, law enforcement and the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) have repeatedly stated that there is no evidence linking Abby’s case to these deaths. The medical and situational details differ greatly, and Abby’s case remains classified strictly as an endangered missing person/kidnapping investigation.

The Investigation: Lead Agencies and Current Status

The case remains open and unsolved. No arrests have been made, and no remains have been identified as Abby.

Lead Agencies (Still Active):

• FBI Charlotte Division: (704) 672-6100 (federal coordination and resources)
• Lumberton Police Department: (910) 671-3845 (primary local investigation; case #2017-32652)

Additional Tip Lines:

• National FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
• Online (anonymous): tips.fbi.gov (search for Abby Lynn Patterson)

Reward: The family originally offered $5,000. A local business later donated an additional $5,000, bringing the total reward to up to $10,000 for information that leads to Abby’s location.

What to Look For Today

Abby would now be 29. Her height (5’7″), brown eyes, bird tattoo on the shoulder, and birthmark on the back of her right thigh remain unchanged. If you see someone matching this description:

1. Note the exact location, date, and time.
2. Do not approach if it feels unsafe—call law enforcement immediately.
3. Focus on verifying the permanent marks (tattoo and birthmark) if visible.

How You Can Help – Every Tip Matters

Anyone with information—no matter how small—should contact authorities right away. This includes:

• Anyone who saw the brown Buick on September 5, 2017.
• Anyone who saw Abby after 11:30 a.m. that day.
• Anyone with knowledge of where she was dropped off or what happened afterward.
• Tips about suspicious activity in the East 9th Street/Inglewood Avenue area that day.

Resources:

• Official FBI page: fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/abby-lynn-patterson
• NamUs: Search case MP62297
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1-800-THE-LOST

Message to Abby (If She Sees This) You are not in trouble. Your family loves you and just wants to know you are safe. It’s okay to reach out. Call 911, walk into any police station, or contact the FBI. Help is available—no judgment.

Message to Anyone With Information Even a small detail you think is insignificant could be the missing piece. Someone knows something. That someone could be you. The family and investigators have waited over eight years—your call could finally bring answers and closure.

Case Status: Active / Open Investigation Lead Agencies: FBI Charlotte Division & Lumberton Police Department