Jo Ellen Weigel Crimeline

Jo Ellen Weigel | The Erasing of Mike Cline

Jo Ellen Weigel

July 2, 1970: Michael Cline and Jo Ellen Weigel left on a date leaving her Lee’s Summit, Missouri home between 6:30 and 6:45. 

July 3, 1970: Jo Ellen did not show up for work. Mike told her parents that they eloped and then Jo Ellen went to Columbia, Missouri to visit a family member. The family member said Jo Ellen never showed up.

July 4, 1970: Mike admitted to Jo Ellen’s family that they hadn’t eloped but he insisted he left her at the bus station. 

Jo Ellen Weigel and Mike Cline

July 5, 1970, morning: Mike boarded a flight for a 6 week trip to Europe.

July 5, 1970, afternoon: A woman’s body was found in Lake Winnebago. 

July 6, 1970: The body was identified as 18-year-old Jo Ellen Weigel.

 

July 8, 1970: Mike returned to the United States but refused to speak to police. 

July 23, 1970: The Cass County prosecutor held a Grand Jury. They chose to indict Michael Cline for the murder of Jo Ellen Weigel. When police went to arrest him, they learned he had fled. 

1971: A federal grand jury was held and 8 of Mike Cline’s relatives testified. Their story was that he was dead. 

Divers searching for Jo Ellen’s belongings, including an overnight bag.

Christmas time 1971: Mike made a call to a high school friend saying he was attending college and doing well. 

September 19, 1990: Unsolved Mysteries aired a short snippet about the case under their “FBI Alert” segment.

If you know anything about the whereabouts of Michael Cline, you can call the Cass County Sheriff’s department at  (816) 380-5200 or the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Mike Cline, age progression to his late 30s.

Crimelines