A Snapshot of Nancy's Life
Nancy Moyer was the kind of woman who left a lasting impression without even trying. At 36, she had carved out a life of quiet strength and devotion—both as a working professional and, more importantly, as a mother. Described by those who knew her best as warm, witty, and deeply caring, Nancy was the kind of person who made people feel heard and appreciated. She wasn't flashy or loud—just present, dependable, and grounded.
By 2009, she was navigating the new terrain of single motherhood after a recent separation from her husband, Bill Moyer. Despite the emotional upheaval that often comes with the end of a marriage, there were no signs of hostility between the two. In fact, they had settled into a civil shared custody arrangement, ensuring stability for their two daughters, then ages 9 and 11. The girls were her world, and Nancy’s life revolved around them—school pickups, home-cooked dinners, weekend crafts, bedtime stories.
Her home, tucked away on a quiet, tree-lined road just outside of Tenino, Washington, reflected her personality—neat, simple, and full of heart. It wasn’t lavish, but it was hers: a place of safety, routine, and love. She held a steady job with the Department of Ecology, was known to coworkers for her reliability, and rarely missed a day of work. When friends or family dropped by, they were welcomed with a glass of wine, a warm hug, and easy laughter.
What’s most chilling about Nancy’s story is how ordinary everything seemed. There were no signs of fear, no unexplained bruises or whispered concerns. She wasn’t running from anyone. There were no troubling social media posts, no late-night phone calls, no cryptic journal entries. She wasn't the type to take reckless risks, and her behavior in the days leading up to her disappearance showed nothing out of the ordinary.
She was rebuilding, healing, moving forward. She had even begun dating again—cautiously, yes, but with a sense of hope that the next chapter of her life might include happiness beyond heartbreak. She was balancing motherhood, work, and personal growth, and doing it with quiet determination.
Then, one cold Friday in March, everything changed.
Nancy Moyer vanished without a trace.
And just like that, the peaceful routine of her life—and the lives of those who loved her—was shattered.
The Night Nancy Vanished
Friday, March 6, 2009, began like any other day in Nancy Moyer’s structured, predictable world. She clocked out of her job at the Washington State Department of Ecology around 5:15 p.m., just as she always did. Before heading home, she offered a coworker a ride—a small act of kindness that reflected her generous, thoughtful nature. Afterward, she made a quick stop at the Thriftway grocery store, likely picking up a few items for the weekend. Surveillance footage and eyewitnesses confirm her movements. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
A Tenino police officer, familiar with the community, saw Nancy unloading bags at her home later that night, somewhere between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. She appeared calm, going about her routine. The lights inside her home glowed softly from the windows, a peaceful domestic scene unfolding behind the curtains of a modest house tucked away on a quiet country road.
And then—silence.
For two days, no one heard from Nancy. No calls. No texts. No signs of distress. Nothing.
It wasn’t until Sunday evening, March 8, when her estranged husband arrived at the house to drop off their daughters, that the first disturbing clues emerged. He noticed the front door was slightly ajar, which immediately struck him as odd. Nancy was careful about things like that. She wouldn’t have left her door open—not in a rural area, not with her daughters expected home.
Inside, the television was still on. A half-full glass of wine rested on the coffee table. Her purse, wallet, car keys, and cigarettes—all sat untouched. Her car was parked in it's usual spot in the driveway, groceries neatly stored away.
There were no signs of a struggle. No broken glass. No overturned furniture. No muddy footprints, no signs of forced entry. The home didn’t scream crime scene. Instead, it whispered interruption.
It was as if Nancy had been in the middle of something—a quiet night at home, maybe waiting for a movie to start or unwinding after the long workweek—when someone knocked on the door. And for some reason, she answered. For some reason, she left everything behind. And she never came back.
The mundanity of the scene is what struck investigators the most. There was nothing obviously wrong—and yet, everything was wrong. Her life had simply stopped. A moment frozen in time, eerily preserved.
To her family and friends, that haunting quiet was more chilling than any sign of violence could have been.
Nancy Moyer had vanished into the night—and left behind nothing but questions.
The Early Days of the Investigation
Law enforcement quickly classified the case as suspicious, but they were working with almost no physical evidence. Searches were launched. Cadaver dogs were brought in. Helicopters, dive teams, and dozens of volunteers scoured the surrounding woods and creeks.
Despite this, no trace of Nancy—or her remains—was ever found.
Interviews with friends, coworkers, and family members revealed no one with a clear motive. Nancy was not involved in drugs. She had no known enemies. She had been dating casually, but nothing serious or concerning had emerged. The theory that she had voluntarily left was dismissed by everyone who knew her, especially because she left behind her children, her car, and all her personal belongings.
The case quickly went cold.
The 2019 Confession: A Shocking Twist
Ten years after Nancy’s disappearance, in July 2019, the case exploded back into public attention.
Eric Lee Roberts, a former coworker and neighbor of Nancy’s, called 911 and confessed to killing her. He claimed the two had been engaging in consensual “rough sex” that went too far, resulting in her accidental death. He said he panicked and disposed of her body.
He even invited detectives to search his property.
For a moment, it seemed like the mystery might finally be solved. But within hours of his confession, Roberts recanted. He claimed he had been drinking heavily and didn’t remember making the call. No physical evidence was uncovered linking him to Nancy. Despite the disturbing nature of the confession and its proximity to Nancy’s home, prosecutors were forced to release him due to lack of evidence.
He has not been charged to this day.
Another Dark Possibility: Bernard Howell
While Roberts was the most high-profile suspect, another chilling possibility still lurks in the background of this case: Bernard Howell III.
Howell was a door-to-door meat salesman who operated in the Tenino area. In 2010, he was arrested for the brutal murder of a woman he picked up while driving his delivery van. Her body was found in the back of his vehicle—he had strangled her, then attempted to hide the evidence.
Police confirmed that meat purchased from Howell had been found in Nancy Moyer’s freezer, indicating he had at least visited her home. Though no direct evidence has linked him to Nancy’s case, the overlap in time, location, and his known method of killing has left many people deeply unsettled.
Theories and Lingering Questions
Despite years of speculation, Nancy’s case remains one where even the most basic facts are frustratingly scarce. Below are the main theories often discussed:
1. A Voluntary Disappearance?
This theory is universally dismissed by those who knew Nancy. She had no apparent desire to leave her life or her children. All of her belongings were left behind. There were no travel plans, secret accounts, or indications of distress.
2. Crime of Passion or Domestic Violence?
While many missing persons cases involve close personal relationships, Nancy’s estranged husband has never been considered a suspect, and law enforcement has stated there was no known domestic violence between them.
3. Accidental Death and Cover-up?
Eric Roberts’ confession—despite being recanted—introduced the possibility that Nancy’s death was accidental and that someone panicked, disposing of her body in a way that has allowed them to avoid detection. But the lack of any forensic evidence makes it impossible to prove.
4. Serial Killer Involvement?
The most disturbing theory involves Bernard Howell. Though not formally named as a suspect in Nancy’s case, the similarities in victim profile, location, and method cannot be ignored. If Howell was involved, it’s possible Nancy was an early, unproven victim in a series of crimes.
A Family in Limbo
For more than 15 years, Nancy’s daughters have grown up without their mother. Every holiday, every milestone, every birthday passes with an empty chair at the table. Their pain is shared by a community that has refused to forget.
Her family has remained vocal, hopeful, and determined. They’ve participated in public events, helped raise awareness, and pushed for media attention—hoping someone, somewhere, knows something.
Is There Still Hope?
The answer is yes.
Cases far colder than Nancy’s have been solved. Advances in forensic science, changing witness circumstances, and shifts in conscience have all led to breakthroughs in cases once thought lost.
If you know anything—even the smallest detail—about what happened to Nancy Moyer, please contact:
> Thurston County Sheriff's Office
Phone: (360) 786-5279
Website: thurstoncountywa.gov
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 Nancy Moyer’s case—feel free to share your opinions or any insights in the comments below.
Until next time, stay safe.
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