Name: Tina and Bethany Sinclair
Age: Tina (34), Bethany (15)
Last seen: February 4, 2001
Location: Chesterfield, New Hampshire
Status: Still missing
Case Information
34 year old Tina Sinclair and her 15 year old daughter Bethany were last seen during the weekend of February 4, 2001 in Chesterfield, New Hampshire.
Background
At the time of their disappearance, Tina & her daughter Bethany were living with Tina’s boyfriend, Eugene Van Bowman Jr, at 182 Mountain Road in West Chesterfield, New Hampshire.
The mother and daughter had just moved back to New England from Florida following Tina’s divorce from Bethany’s father in the early 2000s.
Tina, a home nurse, has just finished cosmetology school and was close to becoming a hairdresser. She last went to work on February 2, 2001, the same day Bethany last attended classes at Keene High School.
Loved ones describe Tina as fun and carefree, and Bethany as a typical teenager who got good grades, had an active social life, and loved music.
According to police reports, authorities made several visits to Bowman’s residence for domestic incidents, but neither Tina or Bowman were ever arrested. Records also show Bowman accused Tina of domestic abuse in July 2000, but the allegations were later dropped.
Tina’s sister was concerned for Bethany’s safety due to Bowman’s sex offender record from the 1990s, and told Tina she wanted Bethany to come live with her in Connecticut. She says she got into an argument with her sister about the situation in October 2000, and had not spoken to her since.
Disappearance
Tina Sinclair and her daughter Bethany were last seen together on the weekend of February 3, 2001 in West Chesterfield, New Hampshire. At the time of their disappearance they were living with Tina’s boyfriend, Eugene Van Bowman Jr.
Tina Sinclair, who worked as a home nurse, last went to work on February 2, 2001.
Tina’s 15 year old daughter Bethany went on a date on February 3, 2001. Around 11:30 pm that night she spoke with her boyfriend on the phone until midnight, making plans for Valentine’s Day. This is the last time anyone heard from Bethany.
Neither Tina or Bethany have been heard from since.
On February 5, 2001, an unknown woman called Keene High School to say that Bethany would not be attending class that day. The identity of the caller remains publicly unknown, with family members saying they can’t release the name because it’s key to the investigation.
On February 10, 2001, Tina and Bethany were reported missing when school officials called police about Bethany’s continued absence from school.
According to Bowman, he left his house on February 4, following a fight with Tina. He says when he came back later that day Tina and Bethany had taken their clothes and left. Since Tina’s car had a flat tire he assumed they must have called for a ride.
When asked why he didn’t report them missing, Bowman told authorities he assumed they would be back after a few days.
Investigation
Most of Tina’s personal belongings were found left behind at home, including her car (a white Dodge Neon) and 15 year old cat.
According to reports, Bowman was last seen on the Connecticut River (which ran behind his house) in his Scat hovercraft at around 4:30 am on February 4, 2001. Authorities have conducted multiple searches of his house, as well as the Connecticut river, but results from these searches remain sealed.
Bowman has reportedly refused to cooperate with authorities and is considered a person of interest in their disappearance.
In 2006, Tina’s sister hired private investigator, Gil Alba from New York City, to help with the case.
In 2014, dive teams, equipped with side-scan and sector sonar, searched the Vernon Dam in Vernon, Vermont for any clues as to their whereabouts. It is unknown if the search turned up any leads.
There has been no activity on Tina’s credit cards, bank account, or cell phone since she and her daughter went missing. She also never picked up her last paycheck. Neither of them have been in contact with loved ones, despite Tina being very close with family.
In 2021, Tina’s mother died without knowing what happened to her daughter and granddaughter.
Whereabouts
The location of Tina and Bethany Sinclair, as well as the circumstances surrounding their disappearance, remains unknown.
Authorities say they believe Tina and Bethany Sinclair died under suspicious circumstances, although no arrests have been made in their case.
Appearance
Tina Sinclair was born on November 29, 1966. She has blonde hair, green eyes, stands 5’2 and weighs 120 pounds.
Tina has a tattoo of a butterfly” on her right ankle, a vertical surgical scar on abdomen, and her ears are double pierced. She also kept her nails long, painted, and well manicured.
Bethany Sinclair was born on October 15, 1985. She has brown hair, brown eyes, stands 5’2 and weighs 120 pounds.
She has a U-shaped scar on her forehead and wears glasses.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Tina and Bethany Sinclair please contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at (603) 223-8570.
Resources & Further Information
Tina Marie Sinclair – NamUS
Tina Sinclair – Cold Case Unit
Tina & Bethany Sinclair – Dark Down East
The Disappearance of Tina & Bethany Sinclair – Stories of the Unsolved
Bethany Sinclair – NamUS
Justice for Tina and Bethany Sinclair – Facebook
News & Media Links
2001 Disappearance of New Hampshire Mother, Her Teenage Daughter Remain Unsolved – WMUR
Search for Mother & Daughter Missing 13 Years Comes up Empty – Sentinel Source
Five Years Later, Cold Case Heats Up – Reformer
Divers Search in 2001 Missing Mother-Daughter Case – WCVB
Videos & Flyers
Did the boy friend that she was talking to go to the same school ?
What else , other than the usual “disagreements ” could have led to their disappearance ? .
Cause of divorce , is the ex . a person of interest ? .
Why would the aunt / sister take in the niece if she was getting great grades and leading a normal life – style for a teenager ? .
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