The disappearance of a Chickasha woman remains a mystery after nearly 17 years.

The family of Barbara K. Ferree, in an attempt to find some kind of closure, recently offered a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Ferree’s Oct. 3, 1991 disappearance.

While Ferree disappeared in 1991, it was not until July 1996 when a man arrested in Caddo County gave law enforcement officials information regarding the whereabouts of her body.

Then Chickasha Police Captain of Detectives Gary Bray said, up to this point, investigators had exhausted all leads..

The man, identified as Gary Quisenberry, reportedly confessed to authorities that he had murdered Ferree in October 1991 and that he could lead them to her body, saying she was buried in Caddo County southwest of Gracemont.

Authorities searched the area Quisenberry named for several days with cadaver dogs, even going over the sandrock terrain on horseback, but did not find any trace of Ferree’s remains. Authorities speculated, because of the rocky terrain, the body was buried in a shallow grave.

“Gary Bray worked the case,” said Chickasha Police Chief Lynn Williams. “We went to Gracemont and they had cut a new road in the area the body was reportedly buried. We also went to a couple of yards here in town.”

Williams also said there was talk that Ferree had been “cut up.”

According to reports, Ferree and Quisenberry who were living together in Chickasha, had been drinking and doing drugs and had an argument prior to Ferree’s disappearance.

Despite his reported confession of Ferree’s murder, Quisenberry has never been tried for the crime.

Members of Ferree’s family, who feel Quisenberry did not tell the truth about the location of Ferree’s remains, want to put the situation behind them and get on with their lives.

The family is offering the $500 reward in hopes that someone will come forward with information that will enable authorities to locate Ferree’s remains.

“We just want to put it behind us and give her a proper burial and get on with our lives,” said Ferree’s daughter Lisa. “It’s like we’re in limbo. We want to know where she’s at. Anyone who knows anything about this, if they have an ounce of humanity, we hope they will come forward and give this family peace.”

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Barbara K. Ferree, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 405-224-8477. Any information received will be kept confidential.