Secrets, Lies, and Nightmares: The Disappearance of Cindy Anderson
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Cindy Anderson, a 20-year-old Ohio native, disappeared while working as a legal secretary at a local law office in a mini-mall in Toledo on August 4, 1981. Her car was discovered untouched in a parking space in front of the office, but her keys were missing. A novel was open on her desk and turned to a page which detailed a violent scene of an abduction.
Prior to Cindy’s disappearance, she had received several harassing phone calls from an unidentified individual. As a result of her fright, a buzzer was installed in order to signal the store next to the office had any danger arisen. However, the office door could be locked only from inside and she worked alone majority of the time.
Cindy had a series of nightmares in which consisted of her being abducted by an individual whose identity was vague. Her sister, Christina Savidge, alluded to the nightmares having been premonitions. Although Cindy was frightened by the nightmares, her ability to work wasn’t affected nor was she stifled from any activities. According to Christina, a voluntary disappearance was unlikely because Cindy planned to attend Bible college with her boyfriend during the latter part of August.
Strangely, an unsettling message, which was written in spray paint, began appearing on the concrete wall in the mini mall parking lot. The message which read, “I love you Cindy By C.W.”, was suspected to have been written by a maintenance worker who possessed keys to the office and stores in the mall. He has since died.
In September of 1981, Detective William Adams, of the Toledo Police Department, received two calls from an unidentified woman who claimed to have information about Cindy’s disappearance. She noted a white house in a certain neighborhood where Cindy was allegedly being held hostage in the basement. However, there was more than one white house. The woman’s description wasn’t specific enough for Detective William to have pinpointed which house in particular the woman had referenced.
Attorney Richard Neller, who was Cindy’s employer, represented a man named Jose Rodriguez during his trial around the same time of Cindy’s disappearance. Jose was accused of having supplied some of the attorneys, including Richard, with narcotics in the office and had connections outside of Ohio. Speculation circulated that Cindy may have overheard a conversation between both men and then was abducted.
Jose had a criminal history and his sales of narcotics was known. Richard was Jose’s co-conspirator and had been accused of participating in drug transactions in his law firm. Both men stood trial and were convicted as well as sentenced. Richard received five years and Jose received over thirty-five years. Although there was chatter that Cindy had become a victim of vengeance by Jose, no evidence has surfaced to support such.
Overall, the location of Cindy, whether dead or alive, remains unknown. Prior to the death of William Anderson, Cindy’s father, in 2008, he continued the mission for justice. Although the case is cold, wonder regarding what had become of Cindy continues to linger.
