HUBBARD — A local mother remains missing after 47 years.

Billie Lynn Groff went missing on July 4, 1977, at the age of 28. Her husband, Edward Groff, reported her missing two days later.

Edward and Billie Groff were going through a divorce at the time, according to Hubbard City Police Chief Robert Thompson. City Detective Sgt. Michael Banic said the last person to hear from Billie Lynn Groff was her friend, Ann Cliness.

“She said they’re (her family) home now and that’s the last we heard from her,” he said. “Prior to her going missing, her husband and kids had left for the ox roast.”

He said the case is still an open investigation.

“Obviously, when these things come back up, people get a sense of hope that (there’s progress),” Banic said. “We were pretty hopeful. We did learn new information, but it wasn’t enough to file any kind of criminal charge and that whole process was exhausting for everyone involved.”

Banic also said that since the case is still an open investigation, he has to be vague about the details.

“I had a conversation with a different agency that’s helping me with the case,” he said.

He said he’s tried using facial recognition programs to help locate Groff.

“I ran a few of her pictures through that to try to see if her face would pop up on social media and (it didn’t),” Banic said. “The only thing that popped up was articles of her case.”

Banic said the disappearance happened when he was 4.

“I worked on it in two different capacities,” he said. “I helped Sgt. Moffitt with it. I was just a patrol officer at the time. In 2018, after becoming a sergeant, (former) Chief Jim Taafe assigned me to all cases in the bureau so that’s when I kind of resumed that case.”

Banic said more information on the case can be found on the “Cold Justice” TV series episode “Digging for Justice,” which aired April 1, 2023.

Billie Lynn Groff

Missing from Hubbard

Missing since July 4, 1977

Missing age: 26

Current age: 73

Gender: Female

Race / ethnicity: White

Height: 5’1″

Weight: 120 pounds

Hair color: Brown

Eye color: Hazel

Details

Billie Lynn Groff was last seen by her husband on July 4, 1977, near Westview Avenue, Hubbard.

She was speaking with a friend by telephone the same evening about 10 p.m. when she abruptly ended the conversation, stating, “They are coming up the driveway. I have to go.”

It is unknown whom she meant by “they.” Her husband and two children were attending the city’s July 4 celebration at the time and returned about 11 p.m. Her husband filed a missing person report two days later.

She left all of her belongings and clothing behind.

Contact

Anyone with additional information or questions regarding this case should contact Hubbard Police Department at (330) 534-8153.

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