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An 82-year-old man from Michigan has been accused of murder in connection with the long-unsolved disappearance and suspected death of his wife nearly four decades ago, according to the Will County Sheriff’s Office. Officials announced the charges against Gilbert T. Bernal Sr., who hails from Flint, Michigan, on Monday.
Joan Bernal vanished on December 9, 1988, marking the last time she was reportedly seen alive, the sheriff’s office detailed.
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Authorities allege that a domestic dispute erupted between Gilbert Bernal and his wife at their Joliet residence just before they were set to embark on a family trip to Texas, according to the official statement.
Witnesses have claimed they saw Gilbert Bernal physically assaulting his wife inside their home, after which he allegedly dragged her to the back of the house, as per police reports.
Court documents reveal that the couple’s son, Gilbert Bernal Jr., testified that he witnessed his father seize his mother by the neck and forcefully pull her across the room in their Joliet abode.
Documents show that Gilbert Bernal admitted to physically abusing his wife in the past. It was abuse that was corroborated by the couple’s children.
Gilbert Bernal reported his wife missing on Dec. 27, 1988, saying he left her at a bus stop in McAlister, Oklahoma with $1,500.
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Investigators believe her body was buried under concrete in Joliet, but Joan Bernal has never been found.
Gilbert Bernal was arrested once before, back in 1993, for the murder. But his charges were dismissed before the case ever went to trial.
The case was reexamined, after the sheriff’s office established a team of detectives that focuses on cold case investigations.
On Dec. 9, 2025, 37 years after she was last seen and after new evidence was revealed, a Will County Grand Jury returned a sealed indictment for first-degree murder against Gilbert Bernal in his wife’s death.
He was taken into custody on Dec. 11 at his Michigan home, and extradited to Will County on Friday.
The bill of indictment was unsealed in court Monday.
Bernal is next due in court Jan. 12 for a detention hearing. He’s being held in custody until then.
Joan Bernal’s disappearance and the sheriff’s office investigation was featured on “Cold Justice” on the Oxygen Network.
Their daughter talked about what she was told about her mother’s disappearance on the show that aired last year.
“My dad’s always told me he dropped her off at the bus station and never heard from her. And that was it. And that was it. Anytime I asked about my mom, or wanted to talk about her, like there was never anything good to say ever, and like if he was ever coming down hard on me about something that I did or that I said,” she said.
“This long-awaited legal step honors Joan’s memory and underscores law enforcement’s commitment to never giving up on cold case investigations. Our thoughts remain with the Bernal family and all those who’ve sought answers and justice for decades,” the sheriff’s office said.
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