Name: Mary Denise Lands
Age: 39 years old
Last Seen: March 12, 2004
Location: Marshall, Michigan
Status: Still missing
Case Information
39 year old Mary Denise Lands was last seen in Marshall, Michigan on March 12, 2004. She disappeared after walking away from her apartment in the 1200 block of Arms Street that night.
Background
Mary Denise Lands was born on September 3, 1964. She has two adult children.
Two days prior to her disappearance, Mary’s parents moved to California. Mary’s mother, Anita Marshall, begged her daughter to move out west with them, but Mary declined. Mary was getting ready to become a grandmother and wanted to stay in Michigan.
At the time of her disappearance, Mary was living in an apartment in the 1200 block of Arms Street in Marshall, Michigan with her fiance, Christopher Luke Pratt.
Disappearance
Mary Lands was last seen between 10:00 – 10:30 pm on March 12, 2004, walking away from her apartment in Marshall, Michigan following an argument with her fiance, Christopher Luke Pratt.
Mary allegedly told Pratt she was going for a walk following their argument. He says he last saw her walking around the carport of their apartment complex.
Mary never returned home that night and hasn’t been heard from since.
On March 14, 2004, Pratt called Mary’s family in California looking for her. Following that call, Mary’s brother called the Marshall Police Department to report his sister missing.
Investigation
Mary Lands left her cell phone, keys to her Dodge Durango, engagement ring, and clothes behind at home; but she did take her white mesh purse with her. There has been no activity on her bank account or credit cards since she went missing.
Police found security footage showing Mary at the Marshall Party Store on March 12, 2004, around 6:30 pm.
According to a private investigator hired by her family, Mary went to the party store before meeting up with Pratt at a nearby tanning salon. The couple was heard arguing in the salon and left, according to witnesses.
Mary had plans to meet up with a friend later that evening, but when the friend came to pick her up Pratt told them Mary wasn’t available to go.
Dogs were able to track Mary’s scent to a nearby hotel after she went missing, however no further clues as to her whereabouts were found.
Authorities questioned Pratt after Mary was initially reported missing, but following his initial statement to them he went quiet and hasn’t spoken with them since.
Since Mary’s disappearance, Pratt has been convicted of domestic violence, felonious assault, unlawful imprisonment, and interfering with a communications device in an unrelated case. He was paroled in 2013 after serving more than six years in prison.
As of 2018 Pratt was in prison in connection with the sexual assault of a teenager.
In 2019, a search for Mary was conducted in Tekonsha following several tips that came in, but no remains were found.
Pratt is considered a person of interest in Mary’s disappearance, but has never been officially named a suspect.
Whereabouts
Foul play is suspected in Mary Lands’ disappearance, though her body has never been found. She was declared legally dead in 2011.
Her case is currently classified as endangered missing and remains unsolved.
Appearance
White female born on September 3, 1964. Mary has brown hair, brown eyes, stands 5’6 tall, and weighs 160 pounds.
Her ears and belly button are pierced. She has a scar on her left arm from a polio vaccination. She wears brown framed eyeglasses for reading, has a ripped right earlobe, and a brown birthmark on her buttocks.
Clothing & Accessories:
Mary was last seen wearing a light blue hospital scrub shirt with teddy bear or Sponge Bob prints, dark blue hospital scrub pants, slip on sneakers, a brown leather jacket, and a white mesh purse.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Mary Lands please contact the Marshall Police Department at (269) 781-2596, or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at (800) SPEAK-UP.
Resources & Further Information
Mary Denise Lands – NamUs
Mary Denise Lands – The Charley Project
Justice for Mary Denise Lands – Facebook
Media Links
Mary Denise Lands Still Missing 15 Years After Disappearing From Michigan – NBC News
The Disappearance of Mary Lands – WBCK
Videos & Flyers
Does anyone know who the Detective was on this case?