Episode 191: Donna Mullen

Donna Mullen was the mother of three daughters and lived in Jacksonville, Florida. She worked at the Ritz beach bar and had many local friends. Donna was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on November 29, 1948 and grew up in the Wilmington, Ohio area. Donna often traveled between Jacksonville, Florida and Cincinnati to visit family. She loved her daughters, but she also had her inner demons. She struggled with an addiction to alcohol.


Her daughter Candy Sharp said her mother was a different person when she was intoxicated. When sober, Donna would bring Candy’s two sisters to visit her in Ohio. Candy didn’t live with her mother. She lived in Ohio with her adopted family who raised her. Although Candy wasn’t raised by her mother, the two were close and Donna made sure she kept in touch with Candy.



Donna Mullen disappeared on July 19, 1986. A neighbor saw Donna leave her home on North 2nd Street in Jacksonville Beach. According to Candy, her mother had left home with a gun saying she was going to shoot someone. Donna's daughters believe it’s possible their mother was killed in a drug deal gone bad. Candy and her sister April have continuously sought justice for their mother. Unfortunately, their sister Michelle has since passed away without know ever knowing what happened to Donna.


Donna Mullen was 37 years old at the time, 5 foot 1 inch tall, with brown hair, and blue eyes. The mother of three had affectionately been known as “Duck” due to the way she walked. She had a few distinctive tattoos, including a black panther on her left shoulder and two red hearts with a black “K” on her right wrist. She also had pierced ears and a scar from a hysterectomy on her abdomen. She disappeared nearly 40 years ago. What happened to this missing mother?


Donna’s two surviving daughters have been on a quest to find out what happened to their mother. Can you help Candy and her sister April get answers for their missing mother who is presumed dead?


If you have a valuable tip, you can contact the Jacksonville Beach Police Department at (904)-270-1661. And if you wish to remain anonymous you can report your tip to First Coast Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-TIPS.


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