Erin Marie Gilbert's life took an unexpected turn on a summer evening in 1995 when she vanished without a trace from the Girdwood Forest Fair in Alaska. This perplexing disappearance has left her family searching for answers for nearly three decades. In this episode of ‘And Then They Were Gone,’ we delve into the details of Erin's disappearance, the timeline surrounding that fateful day, and the lingering questions that haunt this unsolved case.

Erin's Background

Erin Marie Gilbert was born on May 4, 1971, in Everett, Washington. Tall, athletic, and intelligent, she seemed to have it all. Erin played multiple sports in high school, maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA, and was known for her kindness. In 1994, Erin moved to Alaska to live with her sister Stephanie Juarez and her family at Elmendorf Air Force Base.

In the summer of 1995, Erin met David "Dave" Combs at a local bar called Kilkoot Charlies, or “Koots.” They exchanged numbers and eventually agreed to a date at the Girdwood Forest Fair. Dave's story of that evening would later become the subject of intense scrutiny.

The Disappearance

According to Dave, he and Erin left the fair around 6 pm when his car failed to start after he had forgotten to turn his headlights off. He left Erin at the car to retrieve jumper cables from a friend's nearby house but ended up wandering for two hours, unable to locate the friend. Upon returning to the fairgrounds, he found Erin missing.

The timeline provided by Dave has inconsistencies, and it relies heavily on his early statements to the police. There are few witnesses to corroborate the events. One Reddit user, who knows Stephanie, mentioned a witness who saw Erin at the fair and talked to her about tattoos, but this remains the only known witness other than David.

Search and Investigation

Erin's family immediately launched a search, but the initial police response was limited due to Erin's adult status and the short duration of her disappearance. It was only after Stephanie contacted a local news station that law enforcement began to take action.

Despite the oddity of Dave's story, police have never officially named him as a suspect, primarily due to a lack of evidence and motive. Dave cooperated initially but later refused a polygraph test and ceased communication with investigators. He has maintained a clean record and continues to live in the area.

Various theories surround Erin's disappearance, including the possibility of foul play by Dave or an unidentified stranger. Erin's athletic build makes it unlikely that she could be easily overpowered. Nonetheless, the case remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Erin's family has not given up hope and continues to search for answers. They maintain a Facebook page dedicated to her case and periodically return to Alaska to distribute flyers. They believe that someone may have crucial information that could help solve the mystery.

The disappearance of Erin Marie Gilbert is a haunting, unsolved mystery that has left her family searching for answers for nearly three decades. While many questions remain, her family's determination to find the truth keeps the hope of resolution alive. If you have any information related to Erin's disappearance, please come forward. The Gilbert family and the community deserve answers, and Erin deserves justice.

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