Central Texas Woman Dies Without Knowing Daughter’s Fate
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Central Texas Woman Dies Without Knowing Daughter’s Fate
A Central Texas woman whose daughter mysteriously disappeared has died without ever learning her daughter’s fate.
Reporter: By Paul J. Gately
Email Address: paul.gately@kwtx.com
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(Kathy Stobaugh hasn’t been seen since she left her Sanger home to visit her estranged husband, Charles Stobaugh almost four years ago.)
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(November 23, 2008) – Jeannie Munday, 68, of Gatesville, was laid to rest on Saturday, but her only daughter was not at the funeral.

Her husband James and her son Chris were there, but the chair that would have been occupied by daughter Kathy was left vacant and Kathy was listed in the obituary as missing.

A month shy of four years ago, Kathy Stobaugh left her Sanger home to visit her estranged husband, Charles Stobaugh.

On Dec. 30, 2004, Kathy Stobaugh’s car was found in her husband’s driveway, but she has not been seen since.

Authorities did not learn of the disappearance for four days.

Charles Stobaugh told police he did not inform them earlier because Kathy Stobaugh had disappeared before and had returned after a few days.

Charles Stobaugh told police his wife had been there the night of Dec. 29, 2004, but she had stayed only half an hour and he was at a loss to explain what had happened to her.

The couple’s daughter and son, who lived with their mother after she left Charles Stobaugh in May 2004 and filed for divorce, now live with their father.

Investigators have referred to him as “the only suspect” in her disappearance.

Charles Stobaugh told his children at the time their mother had gone “on a trip and she’ll be back any day,” according to Chris Munday, Kathy Stobaugh’s brother.

Munday has told reporters the children “don’t want to believe their father did this.”

Munday, a Fort Worth police officer, said, “We’ve searched all over Texas and southern Oklahoma, and the leads all come back to Charles. In my opinion, he’s the only suspect.”

The family has offered a $60,000 reward for information leading to finding her, and Denton County Crime Stoppers has added a $1,000 reward.

Denton County law enforcement officers agree with Munday, but Charles Stobaugh has never been charged with any crime in connection with the disappearance.

The Denton County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the case, and investigators say they have found significant discrepancies in Charles Stobaugh’s story.

Charles Stobaugh twice has refused to submit to polygraph examination.

Find Kathy Stobaugh Web Site

Latest Comments

Posted by: Teresa Location: Dallas on Dec 29, 2008 at 01:07 PM

I'm confused, How can someone get away with murder when it's so obvious that her husband did it. First, there is the car in the drive way, Second, the husband admits to having her there the night before and having an argument, Third, he didn't want them to search for his wife on the property because he was afraid the kids would get upset, why didn't he take the kids somewhere else, How about now, aren't the kids grown up enough to handle it, what's his excuse now. Let's not forget the video tape of him talking to her in a threatening tone. Remember his words, He's not going to go through that again...Come on people, isn't there enough probable cause to get a search warrant and search that kitchen for evidence. Kathy is not going to rest till he is brought to justice.
Posted by: CC Location: Denton on Dec 12, 2008 at 01:14 PM

Words cannot describe the anguish here. I feel she is close by... What kind of pull does Charles Stobaugh have, that he can tell law enforcement they cannot search his property? Why is the law not pushing the investigation?
Posted by: kmb Location: gatesville on Nov 25, 2008 at 07:23 PM

Jeanne held on for as long as she could,waiting for her daughter's return. Her physical body would not let her wait any longer, and now her spiritual body is rejoicing because she is with her daughter again. How blessed and wonderful that must be.
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