The person at the center of this case
Norma Louise Houghland (age 27) and her sons Richard (age 8) and Thomas (age 6)
Violent Crime · Open
47 years waiting · since 1978
HOUGHLAND FAMILY - SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
Justice for Norma Louise Houghland (age 27) and her sons Richard (age 8) and Thomas (age 6) — the trail went cold in 1978, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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vehicle
Lead #1Where is the 1965 light blue Pontiac Lemans (CA Plate 254SBI)? Recovery of this vehicle could be critical to the investigation.
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witness
Lead #2Who was at the relative's house on July 11, 1978? Did anyone see the family leave or observe the vehicle?
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evidence
Lead #3Why were there unopened mail and a welfare check at the residence? What do these items reveal about the family's circumstances?
On July 11, 1978, Norma Louise Houghland, age 27, and her two young sons Richard (8) and Thomas (6) vanished from Sacramento, California after leaving a relative's house around 8:00 p.m., taking with them a 1965 light blue Pontiac Lemans that has never been recovered. Family members found the home undisturbed with all belongings intact, unopened mail, and a welfare check still present, suggesting an unexpected departure. Nearly 50 years later, the disappearance remains unsolved, and anyone with information about the family or the vehicle is urged to contact the FBI.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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suspect
Lead #4Given Norma's history of suicide attempts and cesarean scars, were there any suspicious persons or circumstances in her life at that time?
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timeline
Lead #5What happened between 8:00 p.m. on July 11 and when family members discovered the undisturbed home days later?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
July 11, 1978 Sacramento, California Norma Louise Houghland, age 27, and her two sons, 8-year-old Richard and 6-year-old Thomas, were last seen on the evening of July 11, 1978, at a relative’s house in Sacramento, California. They left the residence around 8:00 p.m.
and were believed to be headed to their residence (also located in Sacramento). Norma drove a 1965 light blue Pontiac Lemans (CA Plate 254SBI, VIN: 237375K134785), which is also missing and has never been recovered.
Family members, unable to contact Norma in the days following, responded to the family’s residence and found all of their belongings inside, including unopened mail and a welfare check. The Houghland family has not been seen or heard from since.
Norma worked as a typist. She had cesarean scars on her abdomen and had a history of suicide attempts.
Timeline of Events
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1978-07-11
20:00Family departs relative's house
Norma Louise Houghland and her two sons Richard (8) and Thomas (6) left a relative's residence around 8:00 p.m., believed to be headed to their own residence in Sacramento.
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1978-07-11
1965 light blue Pontiac Lemans missing
Vehicle with California plate 254SBI and VIN 237375K134785 has never been recovered.
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1978-07-13
Family home found undisturbed
Family members unable to contact Norma responded to the residence and found all belongings inside, including unopened mail and a welfare check.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:July 11, 1978 at 8:00 PM
Last Updated:June 7, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:July 11, 1978 at 8:00 PM
Last Updated:June 7, 2026