Story of Cape girl's 1965 disappearance may be on national TV news shows

Images of a 2-year-old Elizabeth Ann Gill and the story behind her disappearance in 1965 may soon be seen by viewers of two of the most watched news programs in the country.

Camera crews from "The Today Show," airing on NBC weekday mornings, and "Inside Edition," a syndicated 30-minute news program, have been in Cape Girardeau this week shooting interviews with Gill's mother, siblings and local law enforcement.

Martha Hamilton, who was 15 at the time of her sister's disappearance, said Thursday she wasn't sure when the programs would air their segments on Gill's abduction but was optimistic both would be televised.

"The national exposure is needed in order for us to be in a place where Beth can find us. That's the only reason that we ever started allowing media attention," Hamilton said.

Gill was last seen playing with some of her brothers and sisters June 13, 1965, in the yard of her home on Lorimier Street. Until late August, Gill's disappearance was viewed as a missing persons case. The FBI recently reclassified the case as a kidnapping and is investigating what may have happened to Gill.

"Since the FBI has reclassified the case, I'm excited about that. Of course they're going to offer us assistance we normally wouldn't have as a local agency," said Cape Girardeau Police Department Detective Jim Smith.

With media outlets around the state reporting on the case and two summer events honoring Gill, Hamilton said two women have contacted law enforcement thinking they may be Gill, who would be 48 years old this year.

National exposure via the two television shows can only help the case, Smith said.

"The more we can get it out there, the more likely -- if Elizabeth is living, and we have reason to believe she is -- she'll see it and contact the FBI or a local agency," he said.

The women who have come forward are from California and Florida, according to Smith.

In 2006, after family members' DNA was also put in the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, database, four other women came forward, thinking they could be Gill. But their DNA didn't match. The database allows law enforcement crime labs to compare DNA profiles electronically.

"After this length of time and the fact there has been four women in the past compared with the DNA, we don't get overly excited about that information. Especially when we know they go through law enforcement who will check them out and see if there is any validity or possibility in their story," Hamilton said.

"But if those women are not Elizabeth Gill, they could very well be someone else's missing child," Hamilton added.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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Lorimier Street, Cape Girardeau, MO