Accident – Death – Obituary News :
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Pflum family in Fayette County, Indiana, is still searching for the remains of their daughter, Denise Pflum, nearly 40 years after her disappearance.
Lawsuit Filed for Access to Property
David and Judy Pflum, Denise’s parents, have filed a lawsuit to request access to a 326-acre property currently owned by Erika Johnson. This property, which was owned by Johnson’s father at the time of Denise’s disappearance in March 1986, is believed to potentially hold crucial evidence in the case.
The Pflum family has already searched 14 other properties in their quest to find Denise’s remains, with the owners of those properties willingly allowing investigations to take place.
Partnership with Law Enforcement
The Pflum family has partnered with local law enforcement to utilize K9 recovery teams for their searches. These searches are described as “minimally invasive” as the family continues their tireless efforts to bring Denise home.
Suspicions Surround Johnson Property
Denise’s family has strong reasons to believe that her remains may be located on Johnson’s property. At the time of her disappearance, Denise’s car was found just 1.3 miles away from the property, abandoned and locked near a specific intersection.
Benjamin Q. Johnson, previously identified as a person of interest in Denise’s case, had unrestricted access to the property at the time of her disappearance. Benjamin, who is Erika Johnson’s brother, has allegedly made statements in the past that suggest some level of involvement or knowledge regarding Denise’s disappearance.
Arrest and Confession
In a shocking development, Shawn McClung was arrested in July 2020 for his role in Denise’s disappearance. He was preliminarily charged with voluntary manslaughter but tragically passed away in September 2020.
McClung reportedly confessed to killing Denise in 1986, contradicting his previous claims during the initial police investigation. The lawsuit alleges that McClung and Benjamin used to frequent parties on the Johnson property, further raising suspicions about the location.
Family’s Pursuit for Closure
Despite Denise being declared legally dead in 1996, her remains have never been found. Her parents, now in their 80s, are determined to recover her remains and personal items that she had with her at the time of her disappearance.
The lawsuit clarifies that the Pflum family’s sole purpose is to find Denise’s remains, not to assign blame for her disappearance. They simply want to bring their daughter home and finally lay her to rest.
Continued Efforts for Justice
The Johnson family has denied the Pflums’ requests to search their property, prompting the legal action that has been taken. The family remains steadfast in their pursuit of closure and justice for Denise.
As the search continues for answers in this decades-old mystery, the Pflum family remains hopeful that they will one day find the closure they seek and bring Denise home, where she belongs.
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