Norma Louise Houghland

Norma, circa 1978

  • Missing Since 07/15/1978
  • Missing From Sacramento, California
  • Classification Endangered Missing
  • Sex Female
  • Race White
  • Date of Birth 02/04/1951 (73)
  • Age 27 years old
  • Height and Weight 5'5, 135 pounds
  • Clothing/Jewelry Description Unknown, but she often wears turquoise rings and bracelets.
  • Medical Conditions Norma may suffer from depression. She has a history of suicide attempts.
  • Associated Vehicle(s) Gold or light blue 1965 Pontiac LeMans with the California license plate number 254SBI and the vehicle identification number (VIN) 237375K134785
  • Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Blonde hair, hazel eyes. Norma may use the last name Briggs. She has Caesarean section scars on her abdomen.

Details of Disappearance

Norma and her sons, Thomas and Richard, disappeared from Sacramento, California on July 15, 1978. They didn't have air conditioning at home and during hot weather Norma would often take the children for rides in the car to stay cool. They may have done that on they day they disappeared.

Norma's ex-husband lived in Washington state and no one realized the family was missing for a week. Relatives went to the Houghlands' apartment on Sutterville Road and found it intact, with all their clothing and belongings inside and some dishes in the sink.

The children's bicycles were inside and there was an uncashed welfare check. The only thing that was missing was Norma's car, a gold or light blue 1965 Pontiac LeMans with the California license plate number 254SBI and the vehicle identification number (VIN) 237375K134785. It has never been found.

Norma's parents and one of her two sisters have since died, as have Thomas and Richard's father. The case remains unsolved and little information is available.

Updated 9 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated July 19, 2022; distinguishing characteristics updated.