18 Years Later, Family Releases Balloons In Memory Of Missing OK Mother

This past week has been a sad reminder for a Norman family still searching for answers, 18 years after a loved one went missing. 

Glenda Peterson lived in Oklahoma City and had four children when she disappeared on July 4, 1997.  Peterson and her youngest daughter were leaving a Fourth of July celebration at Lake Thunderbird.  Her family said for some reason, Peterson handed over her purse and her boots to her daughter. She then climbed into a dark pickup truck with a strange man with a mustache, and then rode away. 

Peterson’s never been heard from since. 

Saturday at Norman’s Andrews Park, several of Peterson’s family members gathered to release blue balloons in her memory.  Blue was Peterson’s favorite color.

Brandy Morton is a niece who has spearheaded efforts over the past few years to bring attention to her Aunt Glenda’s disappearance.

“People don’t just vanish.  Somebody knows something.  And we want her home,” she said. 

Morton said the family has been heartened by the efforts of Norman Police Detective Clay Bolin to generate leads.

“He has some new information over the past couple years that has been helpful,” said Morton. “And he can’t release much to us, but there have been tips, there have been leads.” 

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Bolin at (405)-217-7774.