On April 15, 2004, Patrice Endres vanished in the middle of a normal workday, leaving behind a mystery that continues to haunt investigators, her family, and the small Georgia community she served. The beloved hairstylist disappeared from her own salon in broad daylight, within a narrow window of time, without a struggle or a single confirmed witness. Nearly two decades later, her murder remains unsolved.
A Disturbing Discovery
Shortly after noon, two of Patrice’s regular customers arrived at Tamber’s Trim ‘n Tan Salon for scheduled appointments. What they found immediately raised alarm. Patrice was not there, which was highly unusual. Her purse and car keys sat untouched on the counter. Her lunch remained warm inside the microwave. Outside, her vehicle was parked at an odd angle, not where she normally left it.
Even more concerning was the cash drawer—it was empty.
Recognizing that something was terribly wrong, the women contacted emergency services. Within minutes, law enforcement arrived and began treating the scene as a possible abduction rather than a voluntary disappearance.
A Dream Built from Scratch
Owning a hair salon had been Patrice Endres’ lifelong dream. With the help of her husband, Rob Endres, she purchased and remodeled the business to reflect her personality and dedication. Patrice was well known in the community and had built strong relationships with her clients, many of whom had followed her throughout her career.
Friends and family described her as hardworking, warm, and dependable—someone who would never walk away from her responsibilities without explanation.
A Marriage Under Scrutiny
In the days following Patrice’s disappearance, attention turned toward her personal life. Rob Endres publicly described himself as a devoted husband, insisting that their marriage was happy and that Patrice was deeply committed to him.
However, Patrice’s son, Pistol, along with other family members and friends, told a very different story. They claimed Rob was jealous, controlling, and emotionally abusive. According to those close to Patrice, she had been preparing to leave the marriage, a fact that strained her relationship with Rob long before she vanished.
After Patrice disappeared, the already tense relationship between Rob and his stepson deteriorated completely, further fueling suspicion and family conflict.
A Narrow Window of Time
Investigators worked quickly to reconstruct Patrice’s final moments. Using customer appointments, phone records, and witness statements, police identified a shockingly small window—just 13 minutes—during which the abduction must have occurred.
No signs of a struggle were found inside the salon, suggesting Patrice may have known or trusted the person who took her, or that she was caught completely off guard.
Despite this, no witnesses reported seeing anything unusual, even though the crime occurred in the middle of the day.
An Alibi and Lingering Doubts
Rob Endres quickly became a person of interest. He knew Patrice’s schedule and would have known she was alone during that short time frame. However, investigators confirmed that Rob had an airtight alibi, placing him elsewhere at the time of the abduction.
Although suspicion lingered due to the troubled marriage, there was no physical evidence linking him to the crime. Rob continued to deny any involvement, maintaining that Patrice was the love of his life and that accusations against him were unfounded.
A Confession That Raised More Questions
Months later, the case took an unexpected turn when convicted serial killer Jeremy Jones confessed to abducting and murdering Patrice. Jones provided details that some believed only the killer could know, briefly reigniting hope that the case might be solved.
However, Jones later recanted his confession. With no physical evidence tying him to Patrice’s disappearance, most investigators removed him from the suspect list. Still, at least one detective remained convinced that Jones was responsible, believing his original confession contained information too specific to ignore.
Remains Found in Dawson Forest
Nearly two years after Patrice vanished, her skeletal remains were discovered behind a church in Dawson Forest, approximately 11 miles from her salon. The discovery confirmed what many had feared but provided few answers.
Dawson Forest was already known to investigators as a dumping ground in another high-profile case involving serial killer Gary Hilton. Hilton became a suspect due to his history and proximity to the location, but authorities were unable to establish any direct connection between him and Patrice’s murder.
A Case Without Closure
Despite multiple suspects and extensive investigation, no arrests have ever been made. The lack of forensic evidence, eyewitnesses, or a confirmed timeline beyond the initial 13 minutes has left the case in limbo.
Patrice Endres’ murder remains one of Georgia’s most unsettling unsolved cases. Her family continues to seek justice, holding onto hope that someone, somewhere, knows the missing piece of information needed to finally reveal who abducted and killed her in broad daylight.
Until that answer emerges, Patrice’s case stands as a haunting reminder of how quickly a life can be taken—and how difficult the truth can be to uncover.
