Saturday August 2 marks 20 years since Michele Julson was last seen. The Bismarck Police Department is asking anyone who may have information about her disappearance to call the Bismarck Police Department at 223-1212. To report information anonymously, call Bismarck Area Crime Stoppers at 701-224-TIPS (224-8477).
Michele Julson, usually called Shelly, who was 26 at the time, dropped her son off at his grandfather’s home early afternoon on Aug. 2, 1994. She was planning to pick up her paycheck from the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation, possibly play some bingo, and then return for her son. She was reported missing that night when she didn’t return for her son. She never picked up her paycheck and police don’t believe she played bingo.
Police searched for her vehicle, a light blue 1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. Her car was not located until six days later when it was found at the Comfort Inn. Police do not believe it had been in the lot since August 2. Julson’s father later told police he found some scoria near the manifold which may be significant because there is little, if any, scoria around Bismarck.
Julson was a blackjack dealer with the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation. The night before she disappeared, she dealt blackjack at the Elbow Room. She also dealt blackjack at Burnt Creek Club and Midway Lanes.
Police received a report she was possibly seen at WeFest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota about a week later, but this was found to be not true.
Police are hoping with the passage of time someone with information will finally come forward to help solve this disappearance.
The Bismarck Police Department has three other open missing person cases. Roy Hagel was last seen at a bowling tournament in Fargo, North Dakota on February 26, 1989. After the tournament, he did not return to Bismarck. In early March Hagel called a friend while he was in Kingman, Arizona. He told his friend that he had visited several states in the days he had been gone, had little money left, and would soon return to Bismarck. His friend also reported that Hagel sounded depressed.
On March 10, 1989, Hagel's blue Ford Tempo was located off the road in a desolate area near the Death Valley Monument. Hagel's wallet and keys were in the vehicle. His tracks were spotted leading to the desert landmark's rugged foothills. What was thought to be his footprints were tracked for several miles, but he was never located.
On November 16, 1996 at approximately 8:00 pm, Sandra M. Jacobson and her five year old son John H. Jacobson left a relative's home in Bismarck to get gas for her vehicle. After getting gasoline they were never seen again. The next day Sandra's 1990 gray Honda Civic was located at Centennial Beach parking lot on the Missouri River in Bismarck. The driver’s door was wide open, keys were in the ignition and Sandra’s purse was on the front seat, its contents apparently undisturbed.
Police searched the beach and river area. Search efforts were hampered by strong river currents and extreme weather. Both people are still missing.
Christopher Mann was reported missing February 16, 2011 when a family member reported Mann had left on foot from the southwest Bismarck home. There was concern for Mann's well-being due to recent "setbacks" in his life. Family and friends have had no contact with him since. At that time he was 26 years old. He liked to hang out at the Missouri River and Memorial Bridge area. Searches were conducted but nothing found.