Then and now, not much ever happens in the quaint community of Mount Vernon in Johnson County. Going to church, shooting guns, and fishing the top attractions, with an occasional run into Clarksville to buy the necessities.
But back in 1989, the disappearance and murder of 35-year-old devoted ,mother Paulette Cosolo shattered the routine tranquility of the "designated populated place" leaving her young son bewildered and alone.
On the night of August 24, 1989, Paulette had taken her children on a shopping trip to Walmart, a normal activity that gave no hint of the tragedy to come. After returning, she left her 11-year-old daughter at her mother's house and headed back home with her 6-year-old son.
Around 9 pm, as the summer night settled in, Paulette was last seen by her son.
In the quiet hours of early morning, the young boy noticed strange visitors at their home. He didn't recognize them, and this interaction would be the last time he saw his mother.
Waking up at 3 am, he realized she was missing. With a mix of confusion and fear, he called his grandmother, marking the beginning of a desperate search.
Despite the community’s efforts, days passed with no sign of Paulette. Then, on August 26, hope turned to horror when her body was discovered by swimmers at just after 7 pm within 100 yards of Lake Ludwig in Clarksville,
She had been brutally shot multiple times with a .25 caliber gun.
The circumstances of Paulette’s disappearance and death remain murky, leaving the community with more questions than answers.
Who were the mysterious visitors? Why was Paulette targeted? These questions continue to plague the minds of investigators and residents alike.
Over three decades later, Paulette Cosolo’s case remains unsolved. Her family and friends continue to seek justice, hoping that new information or advancements in forensic technology might finally bring closure.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Clarksville Police Department at (479) 754-8100.
Your information could be the missing piece in solving this tragic mystery.
