On January 31, 1996, 13-year-old Rachel Marie Mellon-Skemp vanished from her home in Bolingbrook, Illinois, leaving everyone who knew the cheerful teenager in shock.
Rachel was sick that day, so she stayed at home and didn't go to school.
According to ABC 7, her stepfather, Vincent Mellon, was the only person home with her.
Vincent later told authorities that while Rachel was napping, he took the family dog for a walk.
He claimed he didn't realize she was missing until hours later.
Despite being the prime suspect in the investigation, Vincent has never been charged in connection with Rachel's disappearance.
A 2021 report from ABC 7 revealed that Rachel's mother and Vincent relocated to Tennessee years after the incident.
Rachel's father, Jeff Skemp, lived in Texas when she disappeared.
He has spent decades grappling with the heartbreaking reality that he may never see his daughter again.
"To parents out there, love your children," Jeff told WGN 9 in 2021.
"Enjoy every minute you have with them." He added, "I’m at peace and have accepted the strong possibility that Rachel is no longer alive."
Carrie Scaglione, Rachel's former best friend, described her as "a silly girl who was always in great spirits regardless of what was going on in the house... I always tell people, she was an old soul."
To this day, Jeff runs a Facebook page titled "Help Find Rachel Marie Mellon Skemp."
Rachel would be 41 years old today.
Anyone with information regarding Rachel's disappearance is urged to contact the Bolingbrook Police Department at 630-226-8660.
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