POLK COUNTY, Oregon — October 2024 marks two decades since Glenn Pennie vanished from his Polk County home. As the years passed, investigators haven’t stopped trying to find him, even with limited evidence.
"From the get-go, we treated this not as a missing person but as a potential abduction, homicide," said former Polk County Detective John Williams. "There's something more going on here."
Glenn Pennie, who was in his mid-50s at the time of his disappearance, lived in a rural part of the county southwest of Salem. Williams explained that Glenn Pennie was preparing to leave for a trip to California. He was headed there for a probate hearing to help settle his father’s estate. Glenn Pennie was set to receive an inheritance, which included a few properties and some collectable coins.
"His suitcase is packed. He's ready to go. He's told people he's leaving the next morning, and he didn't," Williams said.
Glenn Pennie had arranged for a neighbor to take care of his cat during the trip. That neighbor noticed Glenn Pennie’s car sitting in the driveway, even after he was scheduled to leave. Once investigators arrived, they spent time on the property and inside the home home, finding no evidence of a struggle.
Cold case investigator Michael Black said personal items were inside his car in the driveway, while a Bible and shaving kit sat inside his home.
Investigators then conducted a search of the surrounding area, spanning over 50 miles, and were unable to find any clues leading to Glenn Pennie. Later, investigators would pour over cell phone records and bank accounts, without any success.
"There were thoughts: 'Did Glenn disappear on his own?' Did he decide, 'I'm done with this?'" Williams said. "That doesn't seem to be in his character because he was about to be awarded some houses, his dad's properties."
Black said that Glenn Pennie was in a dispute with his brother, Dale Pennie.
Williams said before Glenn disappeared, he visited the police station and talked with Polk County Detective Burney Krauger.
"(Glenn) came into the office and would tell Burney, 'If anything happens to me, look at my brother''" Williams said.
KGW tried to reach out to Dale Pennie over the phone. A woman answered and confirmed that it was the correct residence, but that they had no intention of talking about Glenn Pennie, though police say they have talked with Dale several times over the years.
"[Dale is] kind of an ornery guy," Williams said. "He is difficult, but he's always been willing to talk."
No one has ever been charged in the case, though Black said they still have "persons of interest." Investigators continue to search for answers for Glenn Pennie's family.
"Bringing this up again after 20 years is just to keep Glenn's story alive," Williams said. "His daughter knows that we've never forgot about Glenn. We've never stopped working on it."
The inheritance Glenn Pennie was set to receive included some of his father's homes in California, as well as a coin collection.
After Glenn Pennie's disappearance, Black said probate documents indicate the inheritance was split among three people, including his daughter; his brother, Dale; and a close friend of the family.
Family told investigators the collectable coins were inventoried and valued around $50,000.
Williams explained that without Glenn Pennie there to finalize the legal proceedings, the homes fell into disrepair, and some of the money went to cover legal fees.
The Polk County Cold Case Team has worked this case since 2007. If you have information to share about Glenn's disappearance, call the tip line at 503-623-1878 and refer to case number 04-2879.