MISSING: Trevaline Evans
A shopkeeper in North Wales seemingly vanishes into thin air after hanging a sign on her antique store saying she’ll be back in two minutes. Investigators search high and low for Trevaline Evans for decades, trying to track down a so-called “mystery man” in a suit who she’d been seen with in the days before she disappeared. But they find no trace of the 52-year-old grandmother. Her case becomes one police call the most confusing they’ve ever worked. And it becomes even more baffling when…nearly 40 years after Trevaline vanished…brand new tips roll in from two brothers in the UK who say they’d found her remains, and had proof. But those remains seemed to vanish too, leaving this mystery still unsolved.
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A newspaper page showing the sketch of the “smartly-dressed man” Trevaline was spotted with.
Credit: Daily Post: The Paper for Wales
Robin Ligus.
Credit: West Mercia Police Department
The plaque bolted to a bench just outside of Rhuddlan.
From right to left: Andrew and Lee Sutton.
Courtesy: Andrew Sutton
Trevaline’s brother, Phil.
Credit: Family Photo via In the Footsteps of Killers
Hand-drawn map of the Rhuddlan Golf Club bar floor.
Courtesy: Andrew and Lee Sutton
One of the photos taken under the bar at the Rhuddlan Golf Club.
Courtesy: Andrew and Lee Sutton
A picture taken under the bar after the police search.
Courtesy: Andrew and Lee Sutton
Timeline:
June 16, 1990
June 16, 1990
Trevaline Evans leaves her shop around noon and is not seen again.
Sept. 6, 1990
Sept. 6, 1990
Police publish a sketch of a man Trevaline was seen speaking with two days before her disappearance. It may be the same man she was spotted with shortly before vanishing.
April 2001
April 2001
Police announce they no longer consider an artist’s impression of a man reportedly seen with Trevaline shortly before her disappearance to be accurate.
June 29, 2001
June 29, 2001
Richard Evans, Trevaline’s husband, is arrested and later released on police bail.
Rhuddlan
Where Trevaline and Richard were renovating a bungalow and where Richard allegedly was when Trevaline went missing.
Church Street, Llangollen
The street that housed Trevaline’s antique store and where she was last seen
Rhuddlan Golf Club
The Golf Club, where Andrew and Lee Sutton took photos under the bar, following stories of a bad smell on the premises.
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Episode Source Material
- Original reporting by Taylor Hartz.
- Crimewatch UK: Sept. 1990. Accessed Sept. 1, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rlbWImm_iE
- In the Footsteps of Killers, Season 2: Episode 3. Jan. 10, 2023. Accessed Aug. 25, 2025. https://www.amazon.com/Footsteps-Killers-S2/dp/B0BZRJPGQG
- Cold Case Detective: 2 Cold Cases from the UK That Need You To Help Solve Them. Jun 9, 2022 . Accessed Sept 25, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0UVG8xbDu4&t=355s
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Riddle as wife, 42, goes missing. Published June 19, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937720658
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Where is my mother?, by Carl Butler. Published June 20, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937720900
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Witness saw missing wife leaving home, by Carl Butler. Published June 21, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937721147
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Murder fears grow for missing woman, by Carl Butler. Published June 22, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937721405
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Top detective fears for missing woman, by Carl Butler. Published June 23, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937721670
- Wales on Sunday (Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales): Missing mum’s son dies. Published January 17, 1999. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/930630359
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Police draw blank as search goes on, by Daily Post Reporter. Published June 25, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937721960
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): TV focus on missing woman. Published Aug. 15, 1990. Accessed May 27, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937715495/
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Top detective fears for missing woman, by Carl Butler. Published June 23, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937721670
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Shopkeeper could have known killer, by David Jones. Published June 26, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937722232
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Mystery man sought in shopkeeper hunt, by David Jones. Published June 27, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937722414
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Come home, by David Jones. Published June 28, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937722566
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Helicopter joins hunt for woman, by David Jones. Published June 29, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937722862
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Murder fears grow for missing woman, by Carl Butler. Published June 22, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937721405
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): My wife is alive, says heartbreak husband, by Mike Settle. Published July 1, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937841666
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Evans inquiry police probing hotel registers. Published July 2, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937704120
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Missing wife riddle still baffles police, by David Jones. Published July 14, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937707186
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Fresh leads in ‘baffling’ case of missing wife, by David Jones. Published August 2, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937712044
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Hunt for missing woman goes on, by David Lloyd. Published August 30, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937719114
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Have you seen this man?, by David Jones. Published September 6, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937720611
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Missing woman riddle deepens, by David Jones. Published September 8, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937721139
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Trevaline: The trail warms up, by David Jones. Published September 11, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937721621
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Hunt for missing woman widens. Published September 13, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937722062
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Riddle still without a solution. Published September 15, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937722524
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Net widens in missing woman hunt. Published September 26, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937724520
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): A double blank on Trevaline mystery. Published October 6, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937708667
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Top detective fears for missing woman, by Carl Butler. Published June 23, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937721670
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Husband offers big reward in wife hunt, by Oliver Holt. Published October 12, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937710456
- Wales on Sunday (Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales): Our missing mum has been killed, by Mike Settle. Published November 11, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/938033614
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Trevaline’s family waits on in grief, by David Jones. Published December 27, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937726766
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Police in Trevaline inquiry quiz man, by David Jones. Published March 27, 1991. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937728265
- Daily Post (3 a.m. ed.) (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Clue hope dashed in hunt for Trevaline, by David Jones. Published March 27, 1991. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/987878941
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): New move in hunt for shop woman. Published May 16, 1991. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937732722
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Year-long murder hunt draws blank, by David Jones. Published June 12, 1991. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937733932
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): ‘Mystery murder’ clue hunt continues. Published November 25, 1991. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937730941
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Trevaline ‘has been sighted’. Published July 2, 1992. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/938032552
- Wrexham Mold Mail (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Interpol hunt down under for Trevaline, by Philip Henfrey. Published July 3, 1992. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/919853838
- The Daily Telegraph (London, Greater London, England): Mystery of granny who vanished, by Wendy Holden. Published July 13, 1992. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/751485107
- Wrexham Mold Mail (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Trevaline update. Published October 23, 1992. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/919859345
- Evening Herald (Plymouth, Devon, England): Police quiz visitors over mystery. Published June 17, 1991. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1007275697/
- The Sun UK: Without a Trace. Gone in two minutes – chilling tale of gran who vanished into thin air 34 years ago before eerie note appeared on bench. By Holly Christodoulou. Published June 30, 2024. Accessed Sept. 15, 2025. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/28728150/chilling-tale-gran-disappeared-minutes-note-bench/
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): ‘Lost’ wife hunt draws a blank. Published October 23, 1992. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/912375023
- Daily Post: 3 a.m. Edition (Liverpool, Merseyside, England): TV show provides new clue in hunt. Published Sept. 7, 1990. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/image/987546848/
- Daily Post: 3 a.m. Edition (Liverpool, Merseyside, England): Still no clues to missing woman. Published June 17, 1991. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/image/988098491/
- Wales on Sunday (Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales): Actors to help solve murders. Published Aug. 26, 1990. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937846388/
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Husband’s reward for lost wife. Published June 11, 1992. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937868098/
- The Leader (Wrexham edition) (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Exploring ongoing mystery. Published Jan. 24, 2023. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161978706/
- Wales on Sunday (Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales): Missing mum’s son dies. Published January 17, 1999. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/930630359
- BBC News (UK: Wales): Antique shop mystery re-examined. Published January 11, 2001. Accessed May 8, 2025. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1110965.stm
- Wales Online (Cardiff, Wales): Puzzling message posted on bench linked to Welsh woman’s disappearance 32 years ago, by Cathy Owen. Published May 4, 2022. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/puzzling-message-posted-bench-linked-23857204
- The Leader (Mold, Wales): 20 years on: What really happened to Llangollen antiques dealer Trevaline Evans?, by Phil Robinson. Published June 7, 2010. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/15930236.20_years_on__What_really_happened_to_Llangollen_antiques_dealer_Trevaline_Evans_/
- Express (London, England): 20 years ago she put up a note: Back in two minutes, by Natalie Chalk. Published June 13, 2010. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/180631/20-years-ago-she-put-up-a-note-Back-in-two-minutes
- BBC News (UK): Plea over 20-year mystery of missing Trevaline Evans. Published June 16, 2010. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/10317563
- Mirror (UK): Serial killer linked to 21-year-old case of missing antiques dealer, by Mirror.co.uk. Published September 11, 2011. Updated January 27, 2012. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/serial-killer-linked-to-21-year-old-case-152988
- The Free Press (Denbighshire, Wales): Police rule out serial killer link to Trevaline, by Staff Reporter. Published January 12, 2012. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/15761362.Police_rule_out_serial_killer_link_to_Trevaline/
- The Free Press (Denbighshire, Wales): ‘He has died not knowing what happened to his wife’, by Staff reporter (Leader Live). Published January 6, 2015. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/15763458.he-has-died-not-knowing-what-happened-to-his-wife/
- The Telegraph (London, England): Brother of antiques dealer missing for 25 years says he hasn’t given up hope of finding her, by Agency. Published June 17, 2015. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11681596/Brother-of-antiques-dealer-missing-for-25-years-says-he-hasnt-given-up-hope-of-finding-her.html?ICID=continue_without_subscribing_reg_first
- The Leader (Wrexham, Clywd, Wales): Trevaline plaque appears on hillside, by Matthew Chandler. Published May 4, 2022. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161106387
- Daily Post (Colwyn Bay, Wales): Why police were seen digging at Rhuddlan Golf Club. Published March 20, 2019. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/police-were-seen-digging-rhuddlan-16003571
- Daily Post (Colwyn Bay, Wales): Cops referred themselves to police watchdog over search for missing antiques dealer, by Kelly Williams. Published May 23, 2019. Accessed May 8, 2025. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cops-referred-themselves-police-watchdog-16300415
- Wrexham Mold Mail (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Gossips hamper murder inquiry, by Philip Henfrey. Published June 12, 1992. Accessed May 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/919853274
- BBC News (UK: Wales): Missing shopkeeper’s husband released. Published June 29, 2001. Accessed May 8, 2025. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1413759.stm
- Daily Post: The Paper for Wales (Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales): Mystery man sought in shopkeeper hunt, by David Jones. Published June 27, 1990. Accessed May 7, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/937722414
- BBC: Shrewsbury murderer Robin Ligus killer another man. Published July 14, 2011. Accessed Sept. 15, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-14121626
- The Guardian: How I caught a serial killer – and lost my career in the police. By Tim Lewis. Published June 25, 2017. Accessed Sept. 25, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/global/2017/jun/25/catching-a-serial-killer-stephen-fulcher-police
- The Guardian: Chris Halliwell found guilty of Becky Godden murder. By Steven Morris. Published Sept. 19, 2016. Accessed Sept. 25, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/19/chris-halliwell-found-guilty-becky-godden-murder#:~:text=After%20a%20two%2Dweek%20trial,in%20a%20field%20in%20Gloucestershire.
- BBC: Murdered woman’s mum warns ‘passengers still at risk.’ By Clara Bullock and Ross Crane. Published Nov. 5, 2024. Accessed Sept. 26, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg51dlvgdro
- The Sun (U.S. Edition). Without a trace – Inside case of missing Trevaline Evans who left work for ‘2 mins’ & vanished…before chilling message appeared on bench. By Hayley Richardson. Published Feb. 16, 2023. Accessed Sept. 12, 2025. https://www.the-sun.com/news/7413429/missing-trevaline-evans-wales-footsteps-killers/
- The Guardian: Man charged with murdering three men in 1994. Published Sept. 23, 2010. Accessed Sept. 25, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/sep/23/man-charged-with-murder#:~:text=Robin%20Ligus%2C%20who%20is%20accused,hearing%20at%20Birmingham%20magistrates%20court
- BBC: Shrewsbury serial killer Robin Ligus dies aged 70. Published Jan. 6, 2023. Accessed Sept. 10, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-64187662
- BBC: Shropshire murderer Robin Ligus sentenced. Published Sept. 23, 2011. Accessed Sept. 26, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-64187662
- North Wales Live: The mystery disappearance of Trevaline Evans almost 30 years ago is still no closer to being solved. By Kelly Williams. Published May 26, 2019. Accessed Sept. 20, 2025. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mystery-disappearance-trevaline-evans-almost-16318987
- BBC: Shrewsbury murderer Robin Ligus ‘admitted other killings.’ Published June 9, 2011. Accessed Sept. 12, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-13720714
- The Mirror UK: Serial Killer linked to 21-year-old case of missing antique dealer. By Mirror UK staff. Published Sept. 11, 2011. Accessed Sept. 10, 2025. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/serial-killer-linked-to-21-year-old-case-152988
- Daily Express: The woman who popped to the shops for two minutes…and has not been seen for 25 years. By Harry Hodges. Published June 19, 2015. Accessed Sept. 27, 2025. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/585536/Trevaline-Evans-mystery-disappeared-gone-missing-family
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