The Unsolved Case of Jaclyn Marie Dowaliby

Jaclyn Marie Dowaliby, a seven-year-old American girl, vanished from her bedroom during the night of September 10, 1988, in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Her disappearance prompted a frantic search, but tragically, her lifeless body was discovered four days later.

According to reports, on the morning of September 10, 1988, Jaclyn's mother, Cynthia Dowaliby, discovered her daughter missing and immediately reported her disappearance, suspecting it to be an abduction. Initial investigations revealed a broken window, although later evidence suggested it might have been staged, as the back door was found left open by Jaclyn's adoptive father, David Dowaliby. Despite extensive search efforts, Jaclyn remained unaccounted for.

On September 14, 1988, Jaclyn's lifeless body was found abandoned at a dump site approximately 6 miles away from her home. Although autopsy results couldn't determine the exact time of her death, suspicions fell upon Cynthia and David as potential suspects. In 1990, both were tried for her murder. While Cynthia was acquitted, David was convicted based on eyewitness testimony placing him near the location where Jaclyn's body was discovered. However, in October 1991, David's conviction was overturned by an appellate court, citing insufficient evidence. He was subsequently released from prison on November 13, 1991. To date, no one else has been arrested or convicted for Jaclyn's murder.

The case garnered widespread attention and was featured on NBC's Unsolved Mysteries in November 1992. Additionally, a television film titled Gone in the Night, released in 1996, depicted Jaclyn's disappearance and murder, with Kevin Dillon and Shannen Doherty portraying David and Cynthia Dowaliby. The film ended with the real David and Cynthia participating in a public service announcement for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.