What Happened To Sandra Lorraine Andrews?
I bring you this case as I continue to focus on Missing Persons Cases in Delaware. I dedicated the song "I don't have the heart" by James Ingram. I'm an old soul. And James Ingram is one of my favorite singers ever. RIP James Ingram. They don't write or produce songs like this anymore. It's a masterpiece honestly. His talent is all natural. You can't train anyone to sing like that. At the time. This song was steadily dropping on the Billboard. It was Rank 9 on the 17th of November in 1990. Plus, It's always good when you can somewhat relate to a song you dedicate to an entry. I'm going to say this entry came so fluid to me. Everything I put down seem to come straight to me. Even the research. I seem to do my best research when I'm struggling with depression. I am very proud of this entry. It's easily one of my best. I didn't force myself to write this. I enjoyed every minute of researching it. Now, having said all this. On to the case.
"It's the not knowing that's the hardest."
Sandra's Mom: Dorothy M. Leggs
Sandra Lorraine Belton-Andrews
Personal Information
Missing Since:
November 16, 1990
Missing From:
Greenwood, Delaware
Seaford, Delaware
(Although the State Police seem to be in charge of the investigation
since her disappearance supposedly happened in the county area)
Date of Birth:
2/25/1946 in Hopewell, Virginia
Parents:
Mom: Dorothy M. Breeding-Leggs-Deceased
(August 15th 1928-March 1st 2009)
Dad: Thomas Belton-Deceased
(March 12th 1912-April 3rd 1969-Cirrhosis of the Liver)
Stepdad: Madison E. Webber-Deceased
(Killed in Tractor Trailer Accident on July 4th 1967)
Stepdad: Elmer C. "Junior" Leggs-Deceased
(February 16th 1928-December 24th 2015)
Siblings:
Sister: Bonnie L. Dobraski-Deceased
(October 20th 1948-July 17th 2007)
Sister: Charlotte Fleischauer
(Born July 1st 1947)
Address/Residence:
107 Sussex Ave Greenwood, DE
Ex-Husband:
John Richard Andrews Sr.
(Born on February 6th of 1946 in Delaware)
(Married in August of 1964-Divorced in 1982)
(Note: Currently 78 Years Old and still living in Greenwood, DE)
Children:
Daughter: Michelle Lynn Mitchell
(Born on September 17th of 1966)
Daughter: Sherry Lou Chance
(Born on February 2nd of 1970)
Boy: John Wallace Andrews II
(Born and Passed Away on February 1st 1973)
Boy: John Richard Andrews Jr. (Born June 16th 1975-June 25th 1977)
(Deceased-Passed away at age 2 on 6/25/1977 when he was hit by a car)
Height & Weight:
5' 8 & 130 lbs
Hair & Eyes:
Black & Brown
Other:
Mid-line Abdominal Scar
Bilateral Ear Piercing
Wearing:
A White Nurse's Uniform, a Brown Hooded Coat
Pin: 14 Karat Gold RN
Necklace: 14 Karat Gold Herring Bone
Watch: 14 Karat Gold Mickey Mouse Watch or Peach Colored "Swatch"
(Both watches have never been recovered)
Delaware State News: November 19th 1990
The News Journal: 2/10/1991
Early Life: Filled with Trials & Tragedy
Early Life : 1946-1964
Sandra Lorraine Belton was born in Hopewell, VA on February 25th 1946 to parents Dorothy M. Belton & Thomas Belton. The couple also had two other daughters, Charlotte and Bonnie, after having Sandy. According to the 1950 Census , The family lived in Chester, Pennsylvania. At some point, Dorothy and Thomas realized their marriage wasn't working out. And the couple divorced. Despite this, Dorothy and her daughters continued on with their lives. The family relocated to Greenwood, DE and Dorothy ended up re-marrying. (A few times over the years) And in 1964 Sandy, The oldest of the 3 daughters, Graduated from Greenwood High School. And life never stopped for Sandy from that point on. In August of the same year, Sandy married her High School Sweetheart, John Richard Andrews.
Starting A Family In Delaware: 1964-1972
Sandy and John settled down together and started a family. The couple lived on a Chicken Farm off Hickman Rd in Greenwood. In 1966 Sandy became pregnant with the couple's first child. A daughter they named Michelle Lynn Andrews. However, As you'll soon read. Life kept at Sandy. And for every good thing that happened. Something bad ended up happening not long after. On July 4th 1967 Sandy's Stepdad, Madison Everett Webber, Was killed while driving a Tractor Trailer in Western Massachusetts. His Tractor Trailer slammed head on into a rock ledge on a dead end road. He was only 36 years old. Despite the tragedy of this event. Sandy and her family moved on. However, Life has a way of reminding us that it often deals the strongest of us, The hardest of blows. On April 3rd 1969, Less than two years after losing her Step Dad to a Tractor Trailer Accident. Sandy lost her Biological Dad, Thomas Belton to cirrhosis of the liver. He was just 57 years old. Like always, Like she had done before. Sandy took what life kept throwing at her. And continued to move forward. In February of 1970, The couple's Second Daughter, Sherry Lou Andrews was born. At this point things seemed to be looking up for Sandy and her family. She had lost her real dad and her stepdad. But she was married. The couple had two daughters. They lived on a farm and Sandy was a stay at home mom. Things looked pretty good.
Tragedy And The Loss Of Their First Son: 1972-1977
In 1972 the couple became pregnant for the third time. This time it was a boy. The couple planned on naming him John Wallace Andrews. However, The good news was soon overshadowed by the bad. On February 1st 1973, John Wallace Andrews died shortly after being born. Heartbroken at their loss, Sandy refused to give up. It didn't shake her faith. As she had already done before, Sandy picked herself up off the floor. And Sandy and her family continued to move forward despite all the heartache they had been through. In September of 1974 the couple tried for a fourth time. And Sandy became pregnant with her fourth child. And on June 16th 1975 John Richard Andrews Jr. was born. The Andrews finally had their son. A healthy baby boy. The Andrews felt as complete as they ever had felt.
Continued Tragedy: 1977-1982
At this point, I'm sure you're probably asking what else could happen to this poor woman and her family? But, Life kept challenging Sandy and her family's strength of will. On June 25th 1977, Sandy and John's Two Year Old Son, John Richard Andrews Jr, was struck by a car and killed. This seemed to be one of the many linchpins that added to the strain on John and Sandy's marriage. Losing 2 sons back to back on top of other issues seemed to take a toll on Sandy and John's marriage. And in 1982 the two divorced after 18 years of marriage.
A New Beginning: 1982-1990
One would think that losing 2 Sons, A Stepdad, Her Biological Dad, and a Divorce would really break most people. But not Sandy, Despite all the tragedy that she endured. Sandy was a woman of faith. Sandy stayed active and focused. She exercised and tried to stay fit and thin. Sandy was described as "Prim and Proper". She didn't drink, smoke, or do any type of drugs. Most people who had gone through what Sandy had would understandably resort to those substances to deal with the reality of those situations. But not Sandy. All Sandy needed was her faith and family. She enjoyed her new found freedom without those vices. Even if being divorced bothered her. In her mind, Being divorced wasn't right with God. Even with Sandy still being committed to her now ex-husband. She pressed on. In 1986 at the age of 40, Sandy fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a Registered Nurse by Attending and Graduating from the Delaware Technical Community College of Georgetown, Delaware. Despite all she had been through, Sandy devoted a career to taking care of others. Sandy loved to take care of others. Especially the elderly. She soon found a steady job working the 3 pm-11 pm shift at the Methodist Manor House in Seaford.
Marital Reconciliation: October 1990-November 17th 1990
In October of 1990, Sandy invited her mom and sisters out for breakfast. Just before they were finished and got up to leave. Sandy informed them that her and John had reconciled. And that she was moving back in with him soon. Not only were they getting back together, They were likely to be remarried. Possibly as soon as after Thanksgiving of that very year. Sandy's family wasn't fond of the idea. But they figured if it made her happy. That's what mattered. Unfortunately as was the story of Sandy's life. Fate had other ideas.....
"Get serious, I have nothing to hide."
John Richard Andrews (Sandy's Ex-husband)
Details Of Disappearance
44 Year Old Sandy Andrews called her ex husband, John Richard Andrews at 10:45 pm on Friday November 16th 1990, from her job at the Methodist Manor House (Seaford, DE) to let him know she expected to be leaving there soon. Her shift ended at 11 pm. Sandy was last seen by her Coworkers approximately 11:15 pm. She was carrying some boxes to help her pack the next day. (Coworkers were carrying some boxes for her too) Coworkers described her mood as happy and carefree. Sandy was not scheduled to work the next day, And told her co-workers she planned on packing most of Saturday. According to one article I found, (Delaware State News:January 4th 1993) After leaving work Sandy stopped by a Dunkin Donuts on U.S. 13 in Seaford at 11:30 pm. The next morning on November 17th at approximately 2 pm Sandy's car, a light colored 1985 Mercury Cougar was found behind a Storage Facility on U.S. 13 North of Seaford by a group of hunters. The group of hunters stated the same car was there in the early morning hours when they started out at 4 am that same day. Upon realizing this, They notified Law Enforcement. The area where her car was found was directly between her workplace and home. The car was empty and Sandy was nowhere to be found. Sandy's purse and belongings were scattered along the ground by the driver's side door. Cash, Credit Cards and an Uncashed Check. And her car keys were on top of the trunk of the car. There were no signs of a struggle or foul play at the scene. She has never been seen or heard from again. Her ex-husband, John Richard Andrews is considered a Person of Interest in her case. (One article implies he is a suspect) He has never been charged. He stated Sandy never made it home that night. Law Enforcement is on record stating they believe the scene was staged to look like a botched robbery. And they believe Sandy was killed the night she went missing. Sandy was later declared dead in February of 2003. Her death date is listed as the date she went missing, November 16th 1990. Many of Sandy's family have passed away in the years since she has been declared dead. Without answers. Including her mom and one of her sisters. There is no indication that Sandy would've left to start a new life. She loved her job and was completely dedicated to her family and her ex-husband.
Articles published immediately after Sandy went missing in 1990
The News Journal: November 20th 1990
This article mistakenly calls Sandy's husband John
her "son in law".
The News Journal: November 19th 1990
Delaware State News: November 19th 1990
Articles published in 1991
Delaware State News: March 3rd 1991
The News Journal: April 8th 1991
(If the car being empty is accurate....That's a vital clue)
Most likely route for Sandy to take either going home
or to the storage facility. Or to John's house. Per reports, The Storage Facility
is about a "Half a mile north of Seaford". There are two such Storage
Businesses on U.S. Highway 13 in that area. One opened in 2007.
So it has to be DE Storage.
Important Addresses
The News Journal: 2/10/1991
Delaware State News: January 4th 1993
Articles published from 1994 and after
The News Journal: November 28th 1994
The News Journal: July 22nd 1996
DE Storage Of Seaford
(DE Storage: (Above) Present Day)
(DE Storage (Above) 1992)
The News Journal: November 28th 1994
This is an excellent resource. The State Of Delaware keeps an aerial photographic archive of the entire state over the years. So I went back to 1992 (There was no 1991) and grabbed a screenshot (Above) of the Storage Facility where Sandy's car was found. I did this to see how much the building and surrounding landscape had changed from 1992 to 2024. And it hasn't changed all that much over the years. According to reports, The hunters came out of the wooded area on the East Side of U.S. 13. Coming towards the facility from the rear. I can't tell from the 1992 screenshot. It looks like there wasn't a fence there at the time. But I could be wrong. As you can see from the 1992 screenshot there aren't any densely wooded areas around then or now. There is a line of foliage and trees to the East of the Storage Facility. But that's it. I did utilize Google Earth to get a closer look at that specific area. Those pictures can be seen below. I also clipped a small portion of The News Journal's Article from November 28th 1994. In that article, The description of the group that found Sandy's car changes from "Hunters" to "Searchers". (Above)
View from the East: Behind the Storage Facility-This is where the hunters would've approached Sandy's car.
Analysis
Delaware State News: February 13th 2005
This is an interesting case for sure. I'm sure most of the suspicion lays directly at the Ex-Husband, John Richard Andrews. I am not sure about that actually. In fact I don't believe it. I'm open to the possibility. But I don't see it. I'll explain why. But, I need to address a few things that I need an explanation to. That isn't explained anywhere.
1) The January 4th 1993 article of the Delaware State News states Sandy went to Dunkin Donuts to make a purchase after she left work that night. It's the only article that states this. And this is important. Yet it's consistently left out of the other newspapers. I came across it accidentally on Genealogy Bank. How do they know this? Is she on camera? Did she use a Credit Card for the transaction? Did someone see her?
2) Was Sandy going to HER house or John's when she got off work?
As I already covered, She was taking boxes to her car when she got off work in order to be able to pack the next day. She called John before she got off work to let her know she would be leaving soon. Which in itself doesn't mean that she was headed to HIS house. Also, She was supposed to meet her daughter at her house (Sandy's) at 9 am the next day. And she didn't. This is why I believe she was going to her house. Not John's. But no article makes this specifically clear.
3) Was Sandy renting a Storage Unit at that business? If she was. The car being there makes sense. But no resource I have read has alluded to that. In fact many articles omit that aspect entirely. Some say Sandy's car was found off a lane on U.S. 13. With what was going on in Sandy's life, It would make sense she might possibly be renting one. If she wasn't renting one there. Either the car was driven there and dropped off so it wouldn't be seen. Meaning, More than one person was involved. Or, Sandy decided to get some late night exercise in. And decided that a well lit place like that storage facility would be a good place to do it that late at night. Sandy was known to keep slim and fit. And was known as the "Lady who walks all over town" according to her niece.
4) What were those "Hunters" searching for that early in the morning? In that area? How could they see her car? I need more information on that. Because from the information I have currently. It makes no sense.
Those things are aspects of this case I'd really like more information on. Now onto the rest of the analysis. The car is the most vital piece of evidence in this case. Not only was Sandy last seen in it. But it was empty minus her personal belongings. No boxes? Sandy left work with quite a few of them. Her co-workers even helped carry some out for her. And yet there were none reported in the car. The car was parked behind a Storage Facility and if you recall, Sandy was planning on packing most of the next day since she didn't work. Then those boxes had to go somewhere. If you think about it, A storage facility is a logical stop for Sandy on her way home. Assuming she used that business in the first place. Was she renting a unit there? Did she need to stop by the unit for something? Even then. The boxes being missing makes little sense unless she puts them in a storage unit. But why would she do that if she planned to pack the next day? Unless, The boxes were already packed. If we are to go with what those hunters have reported. Sandy's car was there as early as 4 am that morning. So did Sandy drop by Dunkin Donuts to get some coffee because she planned to do some late night/early morning packing? It was getting close to midnight when she left. She supposedly went by Dunkin Donuts on the way home. Which is interesting. Dunkin Donuts is known for its coffee. Was she getting coffee? Or something else? It's possible she was just getting a snack. She had already worked 3 pm to 11 pm. You'd only need coffee if you planned on needing a little extra energy. Maybe she planned on packing when she got home? Or for a late night/early morning walk?
One could presume that Sandy and John's reconciliation was going rather well. She had been staying with him according to reports of the time. If he didn't want to get back together. I'd imagine he'd just say so. My cursory background check on him showed nothing that would indicate he would do something to Sandy. Or anyone else. I didn't see any arrests or violent behavior on his part. They had been married for 18 years prior to the divorce. And she remained committed to him even after the divorce. There is nothing in the public domain that states the reason as to why they got divorced. One could understand that losing 2 kids would definitely strain a marriage. So there is that. However, When you read the articles related to the case. You learn that Sandy took her family out to lunch a month prior to her disappearance. She informed her family that she intended on getting back together with John. And they weren't excited about it. One could read that any way one wants to. It may mean he wasn't a good husband. It may not mean that. It could be they just didn't think he was good enough for her. Or they didn't like him for other reasons. John is on record stating Sandy never made it home that night. How did he know? This is why I need to know where Sandy planned on going after leaving work. Which place? Which home? I've seen online where people have cast some doubt on his story because he didn't report her missing. But he wouldn't know if she did make it home if she wasn't going to his place to begin with. Sandy's mom reported her missing because Sandy's daughter couldn't find her the next morning. He might just be repeating what he had heard from Sandy's family. I just don't see a motive for John to hurt Sandy. It makes no sense to me. They were already divorced. No information is provided by any resource online that implies a motive either. And I won't speculate as to one.
Another important yet very important aspect in this case is the placement of the keys. They were found on the trunk of the car. Like Sandy planned to open the trunk at some point. Or she exited the car with her keys in hand. And possibly needed to take something out of the backseat or the trunk. And placed the keys there after retrieving it. One must also consider that Law Enforcement was under the impression that the scene was staged to look like a botched robbery. And I tend to agree with this analysis. With her credit cards and cash still being in her purse. That kinda rules out robbery as the initial motive. So one can't read too much into the placement of the keys if you agree with this premise. Unless the keys were placed there prior to the events that caused Sandy's disappearance played out. If the scene was staged. And someone were to drive Sandy's car there. Why would the keys be placed on the trunk of the car? The placement of the keys just seems off to me.
My thought process is this is a crime of opportunity. And this is a sex crime. Based on the information I have presented in this entry. I think someone came across Sandy late at night. And saw an opportunity they wanted to take advantage of. I'd definitely like to have more information on the group of hunters who came across Sandy's car. I hope they were thoroughly looked into.
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(DE Storage: (Above) Present Day)
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