Amy Mihaljevic was a 10-year-old Ohio girl who was kidnapped on October 27, 1989, after being lured to a shopping center by someone who said they wanted to buy a gift for her mother. Her body was found about three months later in rural Ashland County, and the case remains unsolved.

What is known

  • Investigators say she was abducted from the Bay Square Shopping Center parking lot in Bay Village, Ohio.
  • Her cause of death was ruled a combination of stab wounds to the neck and a blow to the head.
  • Some of her belongings were never recovered, including her boots, backpack, binder, and earrings.

Recent developments

  • The case is still active, and authorities have continued asking for tips.
  • Reports in 2023 and 2024 said new DNA evidence had emerged and investigators were still working cold-case leads.
  • A March 2026 update said Bay Village police received a donation that could help move the investigation forward.

In plain terms

The short answer is that Amy Mihaljevic was murdered in an unsolved kidnapping case, and law enforcement has kept the investigation open for decades. Public updates in recent years suggest the case is still getting attention because of newer forensic evidence.