03/10/2026
23-year-old mother Mary Ann Copeland Etter has been missing from Fletcher, Oklahoma since February 26th, 1983, 42 years ago this year. She had spent the evening at the Skate-a-Rena skating rink in Lawton, Oklahoma located on the 1900 block of NW 72nd St. It was her birthday celebration. Her friends dropped her off that night at her home in Fletcher located on the 400 block of North Drive. Her husband, Floyd Melvin Etter, Jr., was staying at his parent's residence with their two-year-old child. Mary's friends stated that as Mary was walking to her home the lights came on inside. It's unknown who was inside the house.
Mary's siblings Elizabeth and James Copeland went to the home on February 27th to see their sister. The two often stayed at the home. That day Mary wasn't home but they recalled finding some blood on the porch and cleaning it off. They reported this to police when they realized their sister was missing. A few days after that incident some clothing was found in a dumpster in Fletcher. It was collected as possible evidence. It's unknown if it's ever been tested.
Floyd did not report Mary missing. The missing persons report was filed by her father Irvin Copeland, about two weeks after she was seen. The missing date is stated as March 5th, 1983 in many articles. Many years later, when the case was being looked at again, it was determined the original report was lost and it was refiled in 1991. At that time Floyd was still living in the same home and had remarried. A search warrant was executed for the home and Luminol was used to look for any evidence of foul play. A large trail was found from the front porch to the back of the house. It's yet to be confirmed if this was blood and if it was Mary's.
Floyd, who went by Melvin, had a previous criminal record when he married Mary. He had been charged with robbery. In 1991 he was convicted of assault and battery with a deadly weapon (pistol) and had a protective order successfully filed against him by a woman in 2009. He died in 2014.
Mary was 5'1 and 110-130lbs with blonde hair and blue eyes. Her son was 2-years-old at the time of her disappearance. Her case remains open. She is listed as # MP21853 in NamUs and there are 7 comparisons for her DNA/dentals.
Please contact the Lawton Crime Stoppers with any information in the mysterious disappearance of young mother Mary Ann Copeland Etter at 580-355-4636, referencing case # 1983-384. You never know what information can solve a case.