Missing
Rita Michele Maxwell
Maxwell, approximately 1992; Henry Louis Wallace
Date and time person was reported missing : 03/01/1992
Missing location (approx) :
Charlotte, North Carolina
Missing classification : Endangered Missing
Gender : Female
Ethnicity :
Black
DOB : 03/07/1966 (55)
Age at the time of disappearance: 25 years old
Height / Weight : 5'6, 120 pounds
Description, clothing, jewerly and more : A multicolored blouse, black pants and white sneakers.
Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos
: African-American female. Black hair, green eyes.
Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Maxwell was last seen in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 1, 1992. She left her home in the 2600 block of Dundeen Street off Beatties Ford Road, saying she was going to see someone. She never returned and has never been heard from again. She was reported missing on March 17.
Maxwell was involved with crack cocaine in 1992, often visited drug houses, and had a criminal record for drug- and prostitution-related charges. She knew Devonne Dubose, who also disappeared in 1992 and has never been found.
Authorities believe Dubose and Maxwell may have been victims of the serial killer Henry Louis Wallace. A photograph of him is posted with this case summary. In 1994, he confessed to murdering eleven women in the Charlotte area. All of them were African-American and many of them were acquainted with him.
Wallace did not confess to Dubose or Maxwell's murders and was not charged in connection with their disappearances, but the women both fit the profile of his victims.
Maxwell's case remains unsolved and foul play is suspected.
Other information and links : ncy
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
704-336-2311
September 2021 updates and sources
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
The Charlotte Observer
The Crime Library
The State
The Doe Network
October 12, 2004. August 2, 2008; middle name added.
Interactive Missing Person Search Map
