Search for Erica Fraysure continues 15 years later

BROOKSVILLE, Ky. - Nearly 15 years ago, the biggest news to hit our area was about a missing teenage girl. Many probably remember the name Erica Fraysure. 

She disappeared on an October night and has never been heard from again. 9 News went to Brooksville, Ky., where Fraysure was last seen, to find out if there are any new clues in this mystery.

In 1997 Bracken County Chief Deputy Bob Scott was the lead investigator on the Fraysure case for the Kentucky State Police.

"Everyone always had a case. The case they couldn't solve and this is mine. This is my case, it still haunts me,” he said.

Scott, like so many others in the town, spent many restless nights thinking of Fraysure.

Caroline Miller, who taught English and Geography at Bracken County High School, had Fraysure in class the day she went missing. She's also a family friend.

“After 15 years I believe [Fraysure] is dead, I believe [Fraysure] died the night of Oct. 21,1997,” Miller said.

"I truly believe that something happened that night that caused her death," she added.

Seventeen-year-old Fraysure was last seen driving around 9 p.m. in Bracken County on Oct. 21, 1997.  Police found Fraysure's Bonneville parked in a field, wedged between two large bales of hay, which was their first real clue.

The coverage of her mysterious disappearance in 1997 was extensive. Police found Fraysure's car unlocked with her purse and all its contents inside. Search teams from across the state spent months digging for clues by foot and air.

Devastated family members say she would never have run away and that she was really close to her mom.

The detectives involved in the case now admit she had been hanging around with a bad crowd. That crowd included Shane Simcox, who told everyone including a 9 News reporter, that he was the last one to see Fraysure alive.

“So she dropped me off at my house around 9 o'clock and that was the last time I seen her," Simcox said in a 1997 interview.

Simcox was later expelled for threatening a teacher and her daughter, according to Miller.

“He was expelled from this high school when he was a freshman, very bright, very, very intelligent, bright person,” said Miller.

“I just told her that I was going to kill her basically,” Simcox said in a past interview.

Even though fingers were pointing at Simcox, he refused to take a lie detector test. That fact still draws suspicion in the town. Kentucky State Police Detective Chris Jaskowiak now handles the case.

“When detective Scott tried to interview him, he evoked his right to council and a full interview was never completed,” said Jaskowjak.

KSP still considers Simcox a person of interest. Detective Jaskowiak still keeps tabs on his whereabouts.

“I've got a general idea of where he lives now,” said Jaskowiak.

This October will mark 15 years since Fraysure vanished. Investigators and people in her hometown haven't forgotten her.

“In the Bracken County community her disappearance is still fresh in everyone's minds,” said Jaskowiak.

Fraysure's mother never knew what happened.

"Erica's mother, Maggie, passed away not long ago and I truly wish we could've giver her her daughter back one way or another," said Scott.

The town and the people touched by the tragedy are hoping and praying for closure.

Deputy Scott asks that those involved with her disappearance come forward to police.

“I ask you now, please let's put this to rest. Call us and let us know what you did to [Fraysure].  Where is she?  It's time,” Scott said.

There is a new age progression of Fraysure. She would be 31 now. 

We have tried to contact Simcox to talk to us about Fraysure.  All we could find on him is a P.O. box in Bracken County.  We would be happy to talk to him if he reached out to us.

If you know anything about what happened to Fraysure, call the Kentucky State Police at (859) 428-1212.