Mystery Surrounds Disappearance of Prodigy Barbara Newhall Follett
Barbara Newhall Follett, a prodigious literary talent, vanished without trace at the age of 25. Born to an Ivy League scholar and a writer, she was homeschooled and socialised mostly among adults. By six, she had penned her first 4,500-word story. Her first novel was published at 12, cementing her status as a celebrated author.
Follett's life took a dramatic turn at 15 when she ran away to San Francisco. Police captured her after she refused to return to her guardian. Her father's departure for another woman left her devastated. Despite her early success, Follett's personal life was tumultuous. In 1939, she left her apartment with just $30, never to be seen again.
Theories about her disappearance abound. Some suggest she vanished intentionally to escape her troubled life, as her grandson Stefan Cooke believes. Others propose accidental death or foul play. Cooke, her half nephew, has dedicated nearly 15 years to preserving her legacy. He has published her final novel 'Lost Island', her letters, and republished her second book 'The Voyage of Norman D'. Her husband waited two weeks before reporting her disappearance.
Barbara Newhall Follett's disappearance remains unsolved, her fate a mystery. Her literary prowess, however, endures through her works and the efforts of her family. Cooke's dedication ensures her legacy lives on, even as her life story remains shrouded in enigma.
