'Finally, We Have Closure:' Pottawatomie County Missing Woman's Remains Identified 41 Years After Her Disappearance

A Pottawatomie County family was overcome with emotion Wednesday when they were contacted by the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office and learned their sister's remains were identified.

“We've been missing my sister for 41 years and they let us know today they found her remains, finally, we have closure,” said Melody’s brother Randall Garton, Jr.

“Absolute relief of having her back, just her bones back. so we can give her closer and us, and our friends,” said Melody’s sister Rebecca Cox.                

In 1983, after spending the day fishing with their family, Randall dropped his big sister off at her home.

“Waived back to her, and never seen here again,” said Randall. 

The following day Melody Garton Jones’ husband, Paul Jones, was found stabbed to death in the couple’s Earlsboro home. Melody had vanished.

Investigators with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office spent more than 40 years tracking down tips to no avail.

“ Forty-one years is a long time to look,” said Cox.

With no answers and as the case went cold, Melody's family shared her story throughout the years in search of justice. They sat down with News 9 in 2008 and then again in 2017.

Eventually, in an attempt to drum up cold case tips OSBI printed the faces of victims like Paul and Melody on cards that were circulated in Oklahoma prisons.

OSBI and the sheriff’s office always maintained Melody was a victim of foul play.

“Her glasses are still there in the bedroom, makeup purse, all of her personal belongings, the family's cars were outside,” said an OSBI spokesperson in 2017.

 As the years went by Melody's parents passed, but her four siblings continued to search.

“Desperation, miserable, every body and bone, you compare to her, is it her?” said Cox. 

Wednesday, a call from the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office brought the family some peace. A grant allowed the OSBI to test remains that were found in 1998, that belonged to Melody. 

“Talk to her every day,” said Randall.

 “I said something to my mom, we found her we finally did it,” said Cox.         

Melody's family said they’ll continue to search for justice. They're grateful to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office and OSBI investigators.

This is still an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the OSBI.