Marjorie “Gayle” McCaffrey, a 36-year-old mother of two from Charleston County, S.C., vanished 14 years ago on March 17, 2012, from her home at 2829 Limestone Boulevard in West Ashley. Today marks that grim anniversary, with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office still treating it as a homicide investigation despite no body being found.
Circumstances
Authorities note she was last seen after an argument with her husband, Robert McCaffrey, who then drove to the Upstate area—specifically Travelers Rest—leaving their young children (ages 10 and 4) asleep alone. He returned the next morning, claimed to find a typed “farewell letter” saying she was leaving for someone named “Nicky,” and reported her missing that evening (March 18). The letter was later called a fabrication by investigators and her family, who said devout Baptist Gayle never used its curse words; she also left her Jeep, phone, wallet, wedding ring, and checkbook behind.
Husband’s Role
Robert became the prime suspect early on. He lied about his whereabouts that night (visiting a bar to see an ex-girlfriend instead of his Easley address), and searches of their home turned up blood-stained sheets and other evidence. Relatives, including their daughter, debunked his story of a missing safe with $110,000 and a gun. In 2014, he faced obstruction of justice charges for misleading detectives, was convicted in 2019, and served prison time; custody of the kids went to Gayle’s sister.
Current Status
Gayle, a 5’2″, 155-pound Caucasian woman with brown hair and blue eyes, worked in finance at The Citadel and was active in her church choir. No trace since, with dozens of searches yielding nothing. Contact Detective Barry Goldstein at 843-554-2241 or Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 with tips.
This echoes your interest in Charleston-area cases like the recent Hollinshead charges—local justice stories often drag on. Any new leads today?
