The Disappearance and Murder of Patrice Endres
On April 15, 2004, at noon, two women arrived at Tamber’s Trim ‘n Tan Salon in Cumming, Georgia, for their regular hair appointments. The salon’s owner, 38-year-old Patrice Endres, was nowhere to be found. What they did find raised immediate alarm: her purse and keys sat on the counter, her lunch remained warm in the microwave, and her car was parked at an odd angle outside. Most troubling of all, the salon’s cash drawer was empty. Realizing something was terribly wrong, the customers dialed 911, triggering a massive investigation into what quickly became one of Georgia’s most haunting unsolved cases.
Patrice Endres’ Life and Dreams
Patrice grew up with a passion for hairstyling and eventually achieved her dream of owning her own salon. With the help of her husband, Rob Endres, she purchased and remodeled the shop into a thriving local business. By all outward appearances, Patrice was a woman who had built the life she wanted—successful in her career, devoted to her teenage son Pistol Black, and admired by her friends.
But behind the façade of a dream fulfilled, tensions were rising at home. According to Patrice’s friends and family, her marriage to Rob was unraveling. They claimed Rob was jealous, possessive, and controlling, while Patrice was preparing to leave him. Rob, on the other hand, insisted their marriage was strong and described Patrice as the love of his life.
The Timeline of Disappearance
Investigators quickly pieced together a timeline of Patrice’s final moments on April 15. She had appointments scheduled throughout the day and had taken a phone call just before noon. Based on customer arrival times, authorities determined there was only a 13-minute window in which she could have vanished.
That small window suggested an abduction rather than a voluntary disappearance. Her car keys, purse, and warm lunch indicated she had no intention of leaving the salon. Someone had forced her out quickly and quietly.
Rob Endres: The Husband Under Suspicion
While Rob had an airtight alibi, suspicion soon fell on him. As Patrice’s husband, he knew her schedule and would have known she would be alone during those 13 minutes. His strained relationship with Patrice’s son, Pistol, further fueled doubts. Friends and family believed Rob had a motive, insisting Patrice was preparing to divorce him.
Rob denied all accusations, portraying himself as a devoted husband. He later made chilling public statements about Patrice, including one in which he said he had kept some of her ashes so that they could be “together in death.” For many, these statements only deepened suspicions about his role in her disappearance.
A Serial Killer’s Confession
Months after Patrice vanished, investigators received a potential breakthrough. Serial killer Jeremy Jones, who had confessed to other murders in the South, claimed responsibility for Patrice’s abduction and death. Jones described details about the crime that seemed convincing, including how and where he left her body.
However, Jones later recanted his confession. While some investigators dismissed him entirely, others remained convinced he was involved. One detective believed Jones’s knowledge of case details went beyond what had been publicly released. Yet without hard evidence, the confession led nowhere.
Discovery in Dawson Forest
Nearly two years later, in December 2005, hunters made a grim discovery. Patrice’s skeletal remains were found scattered in the woods behind a church in Dawson Forest, about 11 miles from her salon. The area had a dark history of its own—serial killer Gary Michael Hilton, later convicted in the murder of hiker Meredith Emerson, had also used Dawson Forest as a dumping ground.
Hilton became a prime suspect in Patrice’s case, but authorities could not find any forensic evidence linking him to her death. As with Jones, the connection was ultimately circumstantial.
Theories and Lingering Suspicions
To this day, Patrice Endres’ case remains unsolved. Three main theories dominate discussions:
- Her husband, Rob Endres – Despite his alibi, many believe he had both motive and opportunity. His controlling behavior, alleged jealousy, and odd remarks after Patrice’s death continue to fuel suspicion.
- Serial killer Jeremy Jones – His confession, though recanted, contained details that appeared accurate. His known activity in the region made him a plausible suspect.
- Serial killer Gary Hilton – With his history of abducting women in Georgia and using Dawson Forest to dispose of victims, Hilton cannot be ruled out entirely.
Unfortunately, the lack of physical evidence has kept authorities from charging anyone. Each theory contains troubling inconsistencies, leaving investigators and Patrice’s family in limbo.
A Family Torn Apart
The case devastated Patrice’s family. Her son, Pistol, was only 15 years old when she vanished. His relationship with Rob, already strained, collapsed completely after her disappearance. Pistol and Patrice’s extended family were vocal in their belief that Rob knew more than he admitted.
Rob remained outspoken as well, always denying involvement and insisting on his devotion to Patrice. His controversial interviews and unfiltered comments ensured that suspicion would follow him for the rest of his life.
Legacy of a Cold Case
More than two decades later, the disappearance and murder of Patrice Endres continues to haunt the Cumming, Georgia, community. Her case has been profiled on Unsolved Mysteries and various true-crime programs, keeping public attention alive.
The haunting 13-minute window, the eerie discovery of her remains in Dawson Forest, and the multiple suspects with plausible motives create a mystery that may never be fully resolved.
For Patrice’s family, especially her son, the search for answers is ongoing. Though justice has not been served, her story remains a cautionary reminder of how quickly a seemingly ordinary day can turn into a lifelong tragedy.
