A Vibrant Life and a Tight-Knit Family

Leslie Marty grew up in the “country” of Wood County, West Virginia, surrounded by a large and loving family. Her sister, Angela, remembers her as a stunningly beautiful young woman who was a swimsuit model and a talented waitress. Though they were seven years apart, the two sisters were just beginning to build a deep bond when Leslie disappeared. Leslie was a “firecracker” with a strong personality, known for her independence and her ability to light up a room. She was especially close to her family, always making sure to call home if she was going to be away for more than a day.

“She’s 7 years older, the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen. All of complexion, dark hair, beautiful eyes, just model figure. She taught me how to skate backwards and do spins and all that stuff.”

The Abduction and the Long Search for Justice

The tragedy began when Leslie met Mark Hannah, a local business owner with a troubling reputation. While the relationship started with flowers and attention, it quickly turned abusive. In 1983, Hannah kidnapped Leslie at gunpoint after busting down the door of a friend’s home. For years, Leslie’s mother, Mary, and Angela lived in a state of limbo. Despite the lack of a body, prosecutors were eventually able to convict Hannah of murder, a historic first for West Virginia and Ohio at the time. Even from prison, Hannah continued to manipulate the family, offering to reveal Leslie’s location only if they helped him get parole.

“He busted down the door, got into a fight with Dwight, and said, ‘Leslie, you come out here or I’m going to kill Dwight.’ So she came out, never thinking that Mark would hurt her.”

Bringing Leslie Home and a Legacy of Advocacy

After 35 years, a breakthrough occurred when reporter Kenny Bass and Governor Jim Justice helped facilitate a final interview with Hannah. Hannah finally revealed that he had buried Leslie under what eventually became a playground at a family park. The recovery of her remains brought a mix of “relief and absolute sorrow” to the family, who finally held a funeral for her in 2018. Today, Mary and Angela are dedicated to helping other families through domestic violence advocacy. They encourage others to be the “squeaky wheel” with law enforcement and to never give up hope for their missing loved ones.

“In my head I knew she was gone, but in my heart there was still hope. And then when I found out they found her, that hope was gone. It was relief and absolute sorrow at the same time.”

If you want to hear the full, emotional story directly from Mary and Angela, you should definitely watch the original video.