Missing
Verna Marie Richardson
Richardson, approximately 1990; Alexander Smith
Date and time person was reported missing : 07/07/1990
Missing location (approx) :
Fort Myers, Florida
Missing classification : Endangered Missing
Gender : Female
Ethnicity :
Black
DOB : 06/12/1942 (79)
Age at the time of disappearance: 48 years old
Height / Weight : 5'8, 180 - 225 pounds
Description, clothing, jewerly and more : A sleeveless flowered nightgown and a sleeveless green checkered night-coat.
Medical conditions : Richardson suffers from numerous medical problems. She is a diabetic and dependent on insulin which she doesn't have with her, she has high blood pressure, she's partially paralyzed on her left side and she requires three kidney dialysis treatments a week.
Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos
: African-American female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Richardson wears eyeglasses. She is missing her two upper front teeth, and her ears are pierced.
Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Richardson began dating Alexander Smith during a rough patch in her marriAge at the time of disappearance: . A photograph of Smith is posted below this case summary. She ended the relationship in mid-1990 and attempted to reconcile with her husband.
Smith came to Richardson's house in the 1800 block of south Meador Court in Fort Myers, Florida on July 7, 1990. Her twelve-year-old granddaughter was present at the time, and Richardson asked her to go to another room. She then called her adult son and asked him to come over. He promised he would, but fell asleep instead.
Richardson and Smith left the house together sometime afterwards, leaving her insulin behind. It's unclear whether Richardson left the residence voluntarily or whether Smith forced her to come with him.
The follow day, Richardson called a friend collect and said she was at a pay phone at a Hardy store on State Road 70 east near Lake Okeechobee. She said Smith had taken her against her will, tied her hands behind her back, beaten her and broken her glasses. She said he'd gone inside the store to buy liquor.
Richardson promised to call back, but she never did. A store clerk saw her enter the store, wearing a nightgown. She has never been heard from again.
Another of Richardson's sons met Smith in Fort Myers a week later. Smith was driving Richardson's car at the time. He said she was at a Tice Hotel and offered to let her son follow him there.
During the trip, Smith flipped Richardson's vehicle on Interstate 75 and was arrested for drunk driving. Her purse was found on the car's front seat. The police held him for four hours before releasing him. His whereabouts today are unknown.
Richardson's case remains unsolved and foul play is suspected. She left behind ten children.
Other information and links : ncy
Lee County Sheriff's Office
800-780-8477
September 2021 updates and sources
The Fort Myers News-Press
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The Palm Beach Post
The Fort Myers News-Press
Interactive Missing Person Search Map
