A $30,000 reward is being offered for information on a young Kansas woman who vanished more than 30 years ago. Investigators hope to find information on Karol Marlene Sullens, who was last seen in Galena, Kan.

"Over the past three decades, numerous tips and information have been received and followed up on, leading investigators and other organizations to search multiple areas, fields and mine shafts in Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma.  Unfortunately, none of those searches have allowed us to recover Karol's body," Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves said in media release on the county’s website.

A YOUNG WOMAN VANISHED

Karol is described as a vibrant young woman who was working as an exotic dancer in Galena. She was last seen on Aug. 31, 1991, when she was taking a break during work. She was out in the parking lot of the Valley of the Dolls Exotic Nightclub, located 7th Street on the west edge of town. According to the Department of Justice, she was speaking with a man beside his pickup truck, which possibly had a camper shell on it. 

In exchange for testimony in the case, Don Davis revealed more in court in fall 2001. Davis said he drove Karol and Donald Kidwell from the nightclub to a remote area. He said Kidwell later returned to the truck without Sullens. Her purse and other personal items were left behind in the venue, the DOJ documents.

SEARCH FOR A­­ BODY

According to court reports, investigators believed Karol died of a drug overdose and her body was hidden. Kidwell, of Picher, Okla., pled guilty in spring 2002 to battery and interference with law enforcement in connection to his role in Sullens' disappearance. 

In an April 2006 report with The Joplin Globe, Kidwell was charged with second-degree murder in connection with Karol’s death, but a plea agreement led to lesser charges, with the hope of finding Karol’s body. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail.

The sheriff’s office said Davis has since passed away.

REVIVING THE CASE

"The family of Karol Sullens has suffered far too long with grief and agony over not being able to properly lay their loved one to rest.” Sheriff Groves said. “Because we believe there may still be someone with information as to where Karol's body is located, a $30,000 reward is being offered for direct information leading to the discovery of her remains.”

A private source is offering the reward. A Facebook page also honors Karol's life and story. 

TIPS IN THE CASE

If someone has specific information related to Karol's whereabouts, they can contact the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at (620) 429-3992 or (620) 848-3000, by visiting the agency website at www.cherokeecountykssheriff.com or by texting 888777.  Just type 'tip cherokee' followed by the specific information they wish to provide.

KAROL MARLENE SULLENS

Missing from: Galena, Kan.

Missing since: Aug. 31, 1991

Age then: 18

Height: 5’3’’

Weight: 90 pounds

Hair: Blonde/Strawberry-blonde

Eyes: Green

Distinguishing marks: pierced ears, scar on abdomen (from appendectomy).

Nickname: Carol, Karol, Barbie and Squirt.

If you have information that could help the case, contact the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at (620) 429-3897; or call the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) KS-CRIME or anonymously online by clicking here. 

KAKE News features the story of a missing person every weekday in our morning and evening newscasts. If you have a person you’d like for us to share a story about, please contact Anchor Annette Lawless at [email protected].