If you have additional questions about Bethany’s case, please contact us at team@findbethany.org.
Case Status
Is there an update on Bethany’s case?
At this time, there are no new official updates regarding Bethany’s case.
How old was Bethany when she disappeared?
Bethany was 11 years old. She had just celebrated her birthday on February 1, 2001, and was reported missing on March 4, 2001.
Last Known Locations
Where was Bethany last seen?
According to law enforcement, Bethany is officially listed as missing from Jackson, Tennessee, where her father reported her disappearance from Old Hickory Mall on March 4, 2001.
However:
- The last independent sighting of Bethany by someone other than her father was in Little Rock, Arkansas on March 3, 2001.
- The last time Bethany spoke to her mother, Jonnie Carter, was at 9:38 a.m. on March 4, 2001 from a phone number connected to Larry’s home in Gleason, Tennessee.
- The last time Bethany spoke to her sister, Jenny, was at 12:12 p.m. on March 4, 2001, from her father’s cell phone, which pinged near Natchez Trace State Park.
How do we know Bethany was in Arkansas?
- A family friend, Harold Roberts, told investigators that Larry and Bethany visited his home in Little Rock on March 3, 2001.
- Jonnie also called Larry’s phone that day, and Bethany answered, confirming she was at Harold’s home.
Was Bethany seen on mall security cameras?
No. Bethany does not appear on any mall security footage. Larry was recorded on video inside the mall, but Bethany was not.
Family
Who is Bethany’s father?
Bethany’s father is Larry Markowski.
Does Jonnie (Bethany’s mother) have contact with Larry today?
No. Jonnie has no contact with Larry.
Do Jonnie and Larry have other children?
- Larry has two children from a previous marriage.
- Jonnie has two children from a previous marriage.
Allegations & Investigations
Did Jonnie and Larry take polygraphs?
Yes. Both parents took polygraph tests:
- Larry Markowski failed his polygraphs.
- Jonnie Carter passed hers and was given a certificate by the examiner noting her honesty.
Were there abuse allegations against Larry?
Yes. Larry has been the subject of multiple allegations:
- Investigators reported that one of Bethany’s classmates claimed Bethany confided that her father had touched her inappropriately.
- Family members have also alleged past abuse.
⚠️ These remain allegations. They have never been proven in court.
Key Evidence
What happened to Larry’s van?
Larry purchased a van six days before Bethany disappeared and sold it two months later. The van was untraceable for about 2.5 years before resurfacing in Puerto Rico.
Has Larry helped in the search for Bethany?
According to law enforcement, Larry has not actively participated in the investigation or in public events such as vigils. Authorities have described him as “not very cooperative.”
Reported Sightings
Have there been sightings of Bethany?
Yes. Over the years, multiple sightings have been reported. Some were dismissed, while others remain unexplained:
- The Woman and Girl in the Café (2001)
- A waitress reported seeing a girl resembling Bethany with an unkempt woman in a café.
- The girl displayed mannerisms known to Bethany (nail biting, hair twirling).
- Witnesses said the pair later tried to board a bus to Moline, Illinois, but it is unknown if they reached the destination.
- Attempted School Enrollment (2001)
- A woman matching the café suspect’s description tried to enroll a girl resembling Bethany in a private school in Sweetwater, Tennessee.
- The Woman Claiming to Be Bethany (2016)
- In Knoxville, a woman in her 30s claimed to be Bethany and identified Jonnie as her mother from a photograph.
- She shared some physical similarities, but DNA testing confirmed she was not Bethany.
Was the girl in the café ever confirmed to be Bethany?
No. Investigators pursued the lead and initially told Jonnie they believed it was her daughter, but Bethany was never located.
Do we know who the woman in the sketch was?
Her identity has never been confirmed. Some family members speculated she resembled people they knew, but no confirmation was made.
Today
Where is Larry now?
As far as is publicly known, Larry Markowski is still alive and believed to be living in Tennessee.
For the full story of Bethany’s case, visit our detailed case overview.
You can also explore our detailed case timeline.
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