In 1989, 18-Year-Old Mandy Stavik was Raped and Murdered over Thanksgiving Weekend

Over two decades later, a chance meeting between two moms helped solve this cold case

Mandy Stavik was only 18-years old when she was raped and murdered; image source.

In the fall of 1989, Mandy Stavik was a freshman at Central Washington University. That November, she returned to her hometown of Acme, Washington, to spend Thanksgiving with her family. On Friday, Mandy went for a jog with her dog after the big Thanksgiving meal. Only the dog came back.

Mandy’s lifeless body was found in a nearby river three days later. For the next 25 years, her murderer remained unidentified, and her death forever changed the fabric of her community.

Who was Mandy Stavik?

Photos of Mandy show a beautiful girl with curly blonde hair and an infectious smile. Everyone in the small town of Acme seemed to know and love her.

“She wanted to do everything,” shared her older sister. In addition to being a top student at Mount Baker High School, Mandy was a cheerleader and a basketball player. She aspired to one day be an airline pilot.

Mandy was as ambitious as she was personable; image source.