The Disappearance of Caitlin Denison

Caitlin Marie Denison disappeared from Midland Texas on January 10, 2018. 

On today's episode of The Book of the Dead, I cover the case of Caitlin Denison, from Reno, Nevada. The vibrant and goofy 19-year-old flew from Reno to midland texas after meeting a truck driver in a club or a local McDonald's. She did not tell her family the man's name, nor did she show them a picture of him. Upon arriving in Midland, she was believed to have spent the night in the man's RV in West Odessa, before traveling to a local Walmart in North Midland the next day with the man. 

While a the Walmart, she placed a phone call to her sister, Rachael, telling her that she was afraid for her life. Caitlin spoke quickly on the phone, as if she was afraid to be caught, and followed the phone call with a few text messages saying the man had tried to force himself on her and sending a pin with her location. Caitlin's family never heard from her again. The Texas Department of Public Safety did confirm that Caitlin had visited a Domino's Pizza on Linda Avenue, as well as visiting Rick's Cabaret with the man, potentially to find a job, but after this, they have no idea what her movements were. 

Police failed to subpoena the surveillance footage from both the Midland Airport and the Walmart Caitlin was confirmed to be at on the day she disappeared until 6 months after she was reported missing. By that point, the footage from both locations had already been deleted. While it is uknown if police subpoened her phone records, using geo-location other than track her was impossible, as Caitlin used prepaid card's and wifi to place calls on her phone. 

in 2022, the Texas Department of Public saety announed that they had, infact, identified the man Caitlin had traveled with. While his likeness and name were not announced, due to the status of the investigation, it was released that he was known in the Midland, Texas area, though he was no longer living there, and he had been employed as a trucker for the Permian Basin Oil Industry. Also released was a picture of his vehicle that was confirmed to be the car Caitlin had been in before her disappearance.

Ford-F250 confirmed to belong to the man last seen with Caitlin.

In 2024, the police conducted a search at an RV Park in connection with Caitlin's case, but no evidence or remains were found. There was also speculation that a woman seen in surveillance footage in the summer of 2018 was Caitlin, but the woman was ultimately identified and confirmed to be a 32 year old woman being looked for by police after a suspicious shooting. 

In 2024, the remains of a woman were found in Fairview County in Pennsylvania, and there was speculation that the decedent was Caitlin, however, the family does not beleive this to be the case. The family provided DNA to NAMUS to help identify Caitlin in the event an unidentified body is found, and they believe that testing had already been done on the remains, excluding Caitlin as a match. The xomposit sketch of the unidentified woman is also believed to resemble Danielle Lopez, a 37-year-old New Jersey native who vanished from the Pine Barrens in April of 2024

Composite sketch of the woman found in Pennsylvania 

As of this year, there has been no further updates in Caitlin's case. Below are her demographics and the numbers to call to submit tips. Someone out there knows something. It's time Caitlin comes home. 

• Missing Since: January 10, 2018 (last confirmed contact)

• Age at Disappearance: 19 years old

• Last Known Location: Midland, Texas — last seen at a Walmart on North Midland Drive with an adult male she had recently met. 

• Circumstances: She flew from Reno, Nevada to Midland with the man. The day after arriving she called her sister from the Walmart, saying she was “afraid for her life.” That call is the last confirmed contact.

• Description at Time Missing: ~5'5", 120 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes. Last seen wearing a fur-vest over a black shirt, black leggings (with braiding down the sides), and furry boots. Distinguishing features: tattoo of an “Alien” and the letter “M” on her left knuckle; a Libra scale tattoo on her right forearm; multiple piercings (nose, lip, tongue, medusa) and scars on her arms and legs.

• Case Number: M1806003

• I you know anything about Caitlin’s whereabouts or have information that could help, even something small, you’re encouraged to contact:

  • Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Missing Persons Clearinghouse: (800) 346-3243 or (512) 424-5074

  • Midland Police Department (Midland, TX): (432) 685-7108

  • Anonymous tip line: Crime Stoppers Texas — 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). A cash reward (up to $3,000) is being offered for any tips leading to an arrest

Examples of Caitlin's Tattoos