These Two Sisters Disappeared In 1987 After Going To The Oklahoma State Fair, And They Were Found Murdered One Month Later But Their Killer Is Still Out There
fiona_toke – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
In 1987, sisters Cheryl Gezner and Lisa Pennington of Oklahoma were known for their bright smiles and love of fashion. They would never leave the house without looking perfect, according to their mother, Charlette Pennington.
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“It didn’t matter if they were going anywhere or not. It was just a part of their routine. They would get up, shower, and do their makeup. Every day,” she said.
“Both were flamboyant. They enjoyed music and enjoyed life,” added Alan Pennington, their brother.
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But, at just twenty-five and sixteen, Cheryl and Lisa’s lives were stolen from them. On September 23, 1987, the sisters attended the Oklahoma State Fair to enjoy rides, games, and food. Tragically, though, they would never be seen again.
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Instead, what exactly happened after Cheryl and Lisa left the fair remains a puzzling mystery.
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All their family knew was that they did not return home that night. Then, days stretched into weeks until one month later, Cheryl and Lisa’s remains were discovered buried in a shallow grave quite a distance from Oklahoma City.
Facebook – pictured above are Lisa and Cheryl
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“I think the bodies were found where the turnpike is now. It was considered far north of Oklahoma City; there was nothing out there,” recalled Dorian Quillen, a private investigator who worked the case.
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However, even after thirty-five years, Cheryl and Lisa’s family has not received any closure. Police reportedly have an abundance of evidence– including the girls’ fingernails, earrings, jewelry, clothing, and hair– that Dorian believes should be retested using updated DNA technology.
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On top of that, a key witness did come forward and indicated a man named Lane as responsible for the murders. The witness claimed that he and Lane had been hanging out with Cheryl and Lisa following the state fair. Then, Lane allegedly assaulted Lisa and beat Cheryl with a shovel and pistol.
Facebook – pictured above Cheryl smiles
Investigators subsequently arrested Lane and charged him with two counts of first-degree murder. But then, less than two years later, the witness recanted his story and claimed to have made it up.
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So, authorities were forced to drop the charges against Lane in 1992, and, unfortunately, no other suspect has ever been brought into custody or charged in connection with the case. Instead, Cheryl and Lisa’s family has never stopped searching for answers.
Facebook – pictured above Lisa smiles
And the girls’ mother, Charlette, was a driving force in the fight for justice.
“She was all in. She never quit looking. Never quit searching. Always wanting justice,” Dorian said about Charlette in an interview with Oklahoma Daily News.
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Sadly, Charlette passed away in 2021. But, Alan Pennington has continued pushing forward.
He actively runs a Facebook group entitled Justice For Cheryl and Lisa. There, Alan often posts memories of his sisters, raises awareness about the case, and advocates for greater investigative efforts. More specifically, modern DNA testing.
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“Fortunately, you cannot kill someone in a violent struggle without leaving DNA. The killers left their DNA,” Alan wrote in February. And Dorian agrees.
“We want the case reopened, and we want the evidence retested and an accounting of what is found,” Dorian underscored.
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To support the push for DNA testing and remain updated on Cheryl and Lisa’s case, you can visit the Facebook group linked here.
And if you have any information, you are encouraged to contact the Oklahoma City Police Department Crime Stoppers at (405) 235-7300.
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