The case of the Springfield Three, focusing on Suzie Streeter from Springfield, Missouri, remains one of the most haunting unsolved disappearances in American history. In the early hours of June 7, 1992, Suzie Streeter, along with her mother Sherrill Levitt, and friend Stacy McCall, vanished from their home in Springfield, Missouri, leaving behind a chilling mystery that continues to baffle investigators and torment loved ones three decades later.
The story of Suzie Streeter is deeply intertwined with her family’s life in Springfield, MO. Her aunt, Debra Schwartz, in an interview with Dateline, painted a picture of a close-knit family with roots originally in Bellevue, Washington. The family, including Debra and her older sister Sherrill, enjoyed an active outdoor life during their upbringing.
Sherrill and Debra with their father.
A childhood photo of Sherrill Levitt and Debra Schwartz with their father, highlighting their early family life.
Debra described Sherrill as a caring older sister, eight years her senior, who often looked after her. Sherrill married Brentt Streeter in 1964 and had two children: Bartt and Suzie Streeter, born in 1973. This period of Suzie’s birth coincided with Debra having her own daughter, Sarah, creating a close bond between the cousins from the start. However, Sherrill and Brentt divorced not long after Suzie was born. Sherrill later remarried to Don Levitt in 1980, creating a blended family.
That same year, a significant change occurred when Debra’s family moved to Springfield, Missouri, for her husband’s job. Sherrill and Don, along with Suzie, followed, drawn to remain close to family. Springfield, MO became their new home, strengthening family ties in this Midwest town.
However, the family’s time together in Springfield was disrupted when Debra’s husband’s plant closed in 1983, prompting a move back to Washington. While Debra and her family returned, Sherrill had established herself in Springfield. A cosmetologist by profession, Sherrill had built a strong clientele and a life in Springfield, making the prospect of leaving undesirable.
Six years later, Sherrill and Don divorced, leading to a period of adjustment. Despite initial setbacks, Sherrill managed to purchase a home in a good neighborhood in Springfield, providing a fresh start for herself and Suzie as Bartt had already moved out.
Suzie Streeter, around the same age as her cousin Sarah, was admired for her style and independent spirit. Sarah Beeson, Debra’s daughter, recalled Suzie’s fashionable and “cool” demeanor in an interview with Dateline.
Don, Sherrill, and Suzie.
A family portrait of Don Levitt, Sherrill Levitt, and Suzie Streeter, showcasing their life together in Springfield.
Sarah described both Sherrill and Suzie as beautiful and very close, with Suzie aspiring to follow her mother’s path in cosmetology. Suzie was known for her trendy haircuts and clothing, reflecting her interest in the beauty industry.
In May 1992, the family gathered in Springfield to celebrate Debra’s 40th birthday. It was a joyful occasion and the last time Debra’s family saw Sherrill and Suzie. Though they wished to stay for Suzie’s upcoming high school graduation, Sarah’s Navy duties required their return home.
The Graduation and the Disappearance of Suzie Streeter
June 6, 1992, was Suzie Streeter’s high school graduation day. According to Sarah, Suzie and her friend Stacy McCall attended several graduation parties that night. In a last-minute decision, the two friends decided to spend the night at Suzie’s house in Springfield.
The following morning, June 7, friends planned to meet Suzie and Stacy to go to a water park. When Suzie, Stacy, and Sherrill failed to show up and didn’t answer their phone, friends went to Suzie’s home to check on them. They were met with an eerie scene: no sign of the three women. As Debra Schwartz recounted, “At some point in that night, they went missing.”
Sarah, Kelly and Suzie.
Suzie Streeter pictured with her cousins Sarah and Kelly during what was their last visit before her disappearance in Springfield, MO.
The Springfield Police Department, through Public Affairs Officer Cris Swaters, directed Dateline to a media release from May 2022, detailing the timeline. Stacy McCall and Suzanne Streeter were last seen around 2:15 a.m. on June 7, 1992, after leaving a graduation party and heading to the Levitt/Streeter residence. Their belongings – clothing, jewelry, purses, and vehicles – were all still at the house, indicating they had arrived home.
Upon arrival, officers found no signs of struggle but the unsettling indication of abduction. Purses, money, clothing, cars, keys, cigarettes, and even the family dog, were left behind. Sherrill Levitt had last spoken to a friend around 11:15 p.m. on June 6, discussing painting furniture. Her car, purse, and keys were also at the residence, and it appeared her bed had been slept in. Stacy’s parents were the ones who initially alerted the police to the disappearances.
The Community Reacts to the Disappearance of the Springfield Three
The news of Sherrill, Suzie Streeter, and Stacy McCall’s disappearance sent shockwaves through the Springfield community. Debra Schwartz initially wasn’t alarmed, attributing it to her sister’s independent nature, stating to Dateline, “She’s fine, it’s Sherrill. She left her purse and her car there. Of course, she’s gonna be back.”
However, her father’s worried reaction signaled the gravity of the situation. Debra recalled her normally calm father becoming deeply concerned, which heightened her own anxiety.
Springfield, Missouri, a typically peaceful community, was shaken by the abduction. Debra described the disbelief: “They were living a really normal life. And someone comes and takes you out of your home. Nobody wants to believe that can happen.”
The community rallied to find the missing women. Search parties were organized, and Springfield was covered in posters and billboards featuring the Springfield Three. Debra recounted the surreal experience of arriving in Springfield to help with the search and seeing posters everywhere.
Springfield Missing Poster for the Springfield Three.
A poignant missing person poster circulated by The Springfield Police Department, appealing to the public for information regarding Sherrill Levitt, Suzie Streeter, and Stacy McCall.
Decades of Uncertainty and the Shadow of Robert Cox
Despite extensive searches and numerous tips over the years, Sherrill, Suzie Streeter, and Stacy McCall have never been found. Known collectively as “The Springfield Three,” their case has remained a perplexing cold case.
One significant lead emerged around a reported sighting of a green van near the Streeter-Levitt home the morning of the disappearance, with speculation that Suzie might have been driving it. However, this lead, like many others, did not yield any concrete results.
The most prominent suspect in the Springfield Three case is Robert Cox. Cox had a history of violent crime, including a conviction for killing a Walt Disney World employee in 1988, though this was later overturned on appeal. In 1992, when the Springfield Three disappeared, Cox was living in Springfield, MO. He was later convicted in Texas in 1995 for aggravated kidnapping.
In a 1996 prison interview with KY3 reporter Dennis Graves, Cox made chilling statements about the missing women: “I just know that they are dead. That’s not my theory. I just know that. There’s no doubt about that.” Cox claimed to be home in bed the night of the abduction.
While Graves’ interview was presented to a grand jury in 1996, no charges were ever filed against Cox in connection to the Springfield Three case. Debra Schwartz believes Cox is responsible, noting his ambiguous denial. Robert Cox is currently serving a life sentence in Texas for armed robbery.
The Springfield Police Department, with assistance from the FBI, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and other agencies, has conducted an extensive investigation into the Springfield Three case. Despite these efforts, no conclusive leads have emerged.
The Enduring Hope for Justice for Suzie Streeter and The Springfield Three
Thirty years have passed since the disappearance of Stacy McCall, Suzie Streeter, and Sherrill Levitt. Sarah Beeson highlights the community’s continued remembrance through annual vigils and ongoing hope for answers.
At the time of their disappearance, Sherrill Levitt was 47, Suzie Streeter was 19, and Stacy McCall was 18. Age-progressed photos released by authorities offer a stark reminder of the time that has passed and the lives interrupted.
Age progressed photos of the Springfield Three.
Age-progressed images showing how Sherrill Levitt, Suzie Streeter, and Stacy McCall might look today, underscoring the long passage of time since their disappearance.
A $42,000 reward is offered for information leading to the location and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction of Sherrill Levitt, Suzie Streeter, and Stacy McCall.
Anyone with information about the disappearance of Suzie Streeter, Sherrill Levitt, and Stacy McCall is urged to contact the Springfield Police Department at (417) 864-1810 or Crime Stoppers at (417) 869-TIPS. The hope for answers and justice for Suzie Streeter and the Springfield Three remains alive in Springfield, Missouri, and beyond.
