Overview of Patricia Otto
Patricia Otto was last seen on August 31, 1976, in Lewiston, Idaho. She had a heated argument with her husband, Ralph Otto, and left the house angrily, never to be seen again. Her wedding rings were found in Ralph's coat pocket, but they have since been lost. She left behind all her belongings, including her car, which is unusual.
The Ottos' marriage was troubled and Patricia had left on her own before, taking the children with her. She filed for divorce in the spring of 1976 but reconciled with Ralph. At the time of her disappearance, they were fighting as he believed she was unfaithful to him. After her disappearance, Ralph told their two young daughters that their mother had abandoned them. Authorities believe Patricia was murdered and that Ralph is the prime suspect. One of their daughters said he made incriminating statements about himself in relation to his wife's case, and another daughter claimed that she saw him assault Patricia on the night she disappeared.
Ralph was convicted less than a year after Patricia vanished, for hiring a contract killer to murder the lead investigator in her disappearance. However, the verdict was overturned on a technicality in 1981. Ralph died of a heart attack a few years later while in jail on an unrelated charge.
Patricia and Ralph's daughters were raised by their paternal aunt and uncle after their father's death. One of the daughters has since passed away, but the other is still alive and seeking answers in her mother's case. The investigation is ongoing, but Patricia's case remains unsolved, and foul play is suspected.
