Terri’s Background and Description
Terri Ann Ackerman was born on March 20, 1962, in Zaragoza, Spain. She resided with her late husband, Delbert “Dale” Ackerman, at 130 Poplar Street in Lochbuie, Colorado. Terri was a Caucasian woman of Spaniard descent, standing 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 170 lbs.
She was last seen on August 23, 2018, wearing a teal short-sleeved shirt, light blue jeans, and a gold wedding band. Her hair was pulled back in a clip. At the time of her disappearance, Terri left behind her purse, identification, house keys, clothing, and even her cigarettes—all items she would never leave behind intentionally.
Terri had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which may have influenced how law enforcement handled the early stages of her disappearance. Her daughter, Ambyr Carolus, was told by Lochbuie Police that it's not a crime for an adult to leave voluntarily and that people often come back on their own. But this assumption can be deeply harmful, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations. Having a mental health diagnosis doesn’t mean someone is unstable or less deserving of a full, urgent investigation. Terri was a reliable woman, a loving grandmother, and a person worthy of compassion and care. Dismissing her case because of a diagnosis was a mistake.
A Devoted Grandmother
Terri was deeply devoted to her family—especially her grandchildren. She spent August 23rd babysitting at her daughter Ambyr’s home, as she often did. Around 4:30 p.m., she told Ambyr over the phone that she had arrived home safely. But something about that day was different.
Later that evening, Terri called Ambyr again. She was emotional and tearful, saying she hadn’t been sleeping and might not be able to babysit the following day. This was not like her. Terri was consistent and dependable—especially when it came to her grandchildren.
A Sudden Disappearance
The next morning, Delbert told the family he had seen Terri sleeping around 5:00 a.m. before leaving for work. Oddly, he later showed up at Ambyr’s home to babysit—something that had never been arranged. Ambyr and her daughter Amariana were both confused and concerned by this behavior. It didn’t make sense.
That evening, Delbert reported Terri missing. Her car was still parked at home. Her phone, purse, and every personal item remained untouched. The door was unlocked. There were no signs of struggle, no trail to follow.
Questions Surrounding Her Husband
Suspicion quickly fell on Terri’s husband, Delbert Ackerman. Though now deceased, he was a person of interest in the eyes of the family. His behavior and timeline raised many red flags.
Why was he so quick to offer to babysit that morning—assuming Terri wouldn’t be available? Why didn’t he call anyone to ask if they’d seen her? Why were all of her personal belongings left behind?
The family has been vocal about their concerns. They believe that Delbert may have had more information than he shared, and they’ve pushed for investigators to take a deeper look.
Community Efforts and Frustrations
Terri’s story has been shared online and featured on The Vanished Podcast, as well as in Reddit discussions and missing persons forums. Yet, despite these efforts, the case has remained under the radar.
The Lochbuie Police Department initiated the report, and Terri is listed in both NamUs and the Colorado Cold Case database. But years later, leads are still lacking.
Her daughter and granddaughter continue to keep her story alive, determined not to let the case go cold completely.
Theories and Possibilities
Exploring the Theories Behind Her Disappearance
When a loved one goes missing, the search for answers becomes an all-consuming mission. In this case, several theories have emerged over time, each with its own set of possibilities and limitations. While none have been definitively proven, understanding these theories helps shed light on the circumstances surrounding her disappearance—and underscores why her family continues to fight for the truth.
1. Voluntary Disappearance
One theory suggests that she may have chosen to leave on her own. However, this scenario seems highly improbable. She left behind essential belongings such as her phone, wallet, and medication—items one would not typically abandon when planning to start anew. Additionally, there has been no financial activity, communication, or confirmed sightings since she went missing.
Perhaps most telling is her strong connection to her family. Described as a devoted and loving mother, she was deeply rooted in the lives of her children and relatives. Those who knew her best firmly believe that walking away without contact would be completely out of character. The lack of preparation, emotional detachment, or indication of such a plan makes this theory difficult to support.
2. Mental Health Crisis
Another possibility is that she experienced a sudden mental health crisis that led her to become disoriented or act out of character. Mental health struggles can be unpredictable, and in some cases, they may result in unplanned or irrational behavior.
However, her family has expressed doubt that this theory alone could explain her disappearance. She had no known history of severe mental illness, and there were no major red flags or behavioral changes leading up to the day she vanished. While they do not discount the possibility that she may have been struggling privately, they believe this explanation falls short when considering the complete absence of clues or sightings in the time since.
3. Foul Play
The theory that carries the most weight with her family is that foul play was involved. Suspicion primarily centers around Delbert, the last known person to see her. According to those close to the case, his account of events has shifted multiple times, and certain inconsistencies have raised significant concerns.
Additionally, there were delays in reporting her missing and a general lack of transparency that the family finds deeply troubling. These red flags have led them to believe that someone may be withholding information—or worse, involved in her disappearance. They continue to push for a thorough and unbiased investigation, believing that key details have yet to surface.
While each of these theories remains speculative without solid evidence, the family refuses to give up. They continue to advocate for renewed attention, community support, and a deeper look into every possible lead. Until there are answers, they remain committed to finding out what happened—because every person deserves to be found, and every family deserves closure.
Moving Forward
Six years have passed. Terri’s grandchildren are growing up without her. Her daughter and granddaughter remain in pain, but they are unwavering in their fight for justice.
They want Terri to be remembered not just as a missing person, but as a vibrant, loving woman with a story that deserves answers.
Thank you for reading Echoes of The Unsolved.
If you want to stay updated on more true crime stories and ongoing investigations, be sure to subscribe to my blog. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on Terri Ann Ackerman’s case—feel free to share your opinions or any insights in the comments below. Until next time, stay safe.
Contact The Family:
Ambyr Carolus | Daughter
Email: Calilybull62@outlook.com
Amariana Carolus | Granddaughter
Email: amarianacarolus428@gmail.com
NamUs Case Number: MP58842
If you have seen or heard anything, please contact the Lochbuie Police Department.
Phone Number: (303) 659–1395
Address: 703 Weld County Road 37, Lochbuie, CO
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