AL AL - Hendrixville, WhtMal 502UMAL, 18-25, Alias:Damon Hunter, may have robbed bank/business, Dec'91

tamar

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This case is an unusual one...

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/502umal.html

Unidentified White Male

* The victim was discovered on December 21, 1991 in Dekalb County, Alabama
* Estimated Time of Death: August 1991
* The man died from asphyxiation caused by hanging, which was ruled a suicide.
* Skeletal Remains

Vital Statistics

* Estimated Age: 18-25 years old
* Approximate Height and Weight: 5'11"- 6'1"; 165-180 lbs.
* Distinguishing Characteristics: Possibly mixed race of Native/White. Hair samples provided conflicting evidence of the man's race. A Department of Forensic Sciences report said the hair samples were consistent with a Caucasian.
* Dentals: The victims teeth were in good condition with several fillings and all wisdom teeth were fully erupted. Dental charts entered in NCIC.
* Clothing: Black Levi jeans (size 33-34), a black button-front shirt and white L/A Gear brand athletic shoes (approximately 10 1/2). Also found with the remains was a Gerber brand boot knife.
* Fingerprints: Available

Case History
The victim was located in a wooded area of Dekalb County, Alabama on December 21, 1991.
Hunters discovered the partially decomposed body, hanging from a tree, in a wooded area, near the intersection of DeKalb County 51 and Alabama 277 in the Hendrixville community near the Elowah County line. The man apparently died by suicide, probably standing on stacked logs and hanging himself from a while rope tied to a tree.

In September 1991, an abandoned car with North Dakota license plates was located nearby.
An unidentified person reported a blue 1982 Ford Escort abandoned in a gravel pit near DeKalb County 51 and Alabama 227 on September 1.
The car, which carried North Dakota tag BBU178, was towed to a garage in Collinsville, but was never searched until the skeletal remains were discovered nearby in December.

When officers searched the car December 22, they found several items: a Pizza Hut receipt, dated August 27 from Cullman, Alabama, a ticket stub from Smith Lake, Cullman; a piece of paper bearing the phone number of St. Benedictine's Abbey in Cullman; a notebook; a forged birth certificate from Washington state in the name of Damon Hunter; a blank birth certificate from Washington state; and a note.
The note said: "I have a gun. If the cops come, I will kill everyone in here, then myself. Put all the fifties, twenties and tens in a large envelope with this note quickly and calmly."

There was speculation that the man found hanged may have robbed a bank or business, but he only had $60 in cash in his belongings.

Investigators traced the car to a Fargo, N.D., hotel, where a man using the name Damon Hunter bought it. The man known as Hunter checked into the Donaldson Hotel on August 5 and paid $17.20 for one night's rent. The next day, he paid an additional $53.75 for another week.

Police called St. Benedictine's Abbey, where someone told officers that a white male called the Abbey during the late summer of 1991. The young man said he was in serious financial trouble. He said the people he owed had already assaulted him and threatened his parents. The man also said he was considering robbery to obtain the money he needed.
The identity of the man who called the abbey and his connection to the abandoned vehicle and the skeleton have not been determined.

Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:
Alabama Bureau of Investigation
Lt. Marvin Roye
205-322-4691
You may remain anonymous when submitting information.

NCIC Number:
U-546893200
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.
 

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Reuben Micah Lewis

Missing since February 22, 1991 from Everett, Snohomish County, Washington.
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics

* Date Of Birth: November 24, 1970
* Age at Time of Disappearance: 20 years old
* Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'11; 130 pounds
* Distinguishing Characteristics: White male. Long brown hair; blue/green eyes.
* Marks, Scars, Tattoos: Lewis wears a nose ring. He has a large tattoo of a Joker with fangs on his upper left arm. He has scars on his left cheek and a scar on the chin.
* Clothing:Ben was last seen wearing purple jeans, black tennis shoes and a red leather jacket.
* Jewelry: Wrist bracelet (including pendants, id, medical, Multiple bracelets.)
* AKA: Ben, Ben Jarvis; Reuben Kinkaid Blue
* Dentals: X-rays Available
* DNA: Available in UNTHSC-F3354.1US

Circumstances of Disappearance
Reuben Lewis was a known dealer of drugs in the south Everett, Washington area. He was last seen on the evening of February 22, 1991 as he was about to make a drug transaction at Mallard Cove Apartments located at 12404 Admiralty Way, Everett.
Ben received a page around 20.00 on the night of February 22, 1991. A friend drove him to Mallard Cove Apartments. Ben went into complex C. After 40 minutes, Ben didn't return so the friend left. He notified Ben's family later that night when Ben didn't turn up anywhere.

He was in possession of false identification in the names of Ben Jarvis and Ruben Kinkaid Blue. At the time of his disappearance, a family member said he was carrying $2,000 in cash.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning Lewis' whereabouts, please contact:
Snohomish County Sheriff's Office
Detective Jim Scharf
425-388-3841
All information may submitted anonymously.

Agency Case Number: 91-16498

NCIC Number:
M-495643597
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
National Center For Missing Adults
Snohomish County Sheriff's Office
Find Reuben
Seattle Times 3/5/1991
Washington State Missing Persons
 

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I get so motivated when I see someone who is doing "their homework"! A well-studied background can make all the difference in a find.

I see this as a good possible for several reasons. Have you looked for other photos of Reuben? I have one in my listings and will look more later this evening.
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/l/lewis_reuben.html

I see a good resemblance especially the chin, mouth, jaw and even the nose in a couple of them. The hair. I think Reuben's densely curly hair could be a reason there was a "conflict" over race. Identifiers look good as well. Circumstances seem to be consistent with the unidentified.:twocents:

ETA: Check your PM
 
this is what really hooked me:

Alabama UID: a forged birth certificate from Washington state in the name of Damon Hunter; a blank birth certificate from Washington state

WA Missing person Reuben Micah Lewis: He was in possession of false identification in the names of Ben Jarvis and Ruben Kinkaid Blue.
 
this is what really hooked me:

Alabama UID: a forged birth certificate from Washington state in the name of Damon Hunter; a blank birth certificate from Washington state

WA Missing person Reuben Micah Lewis: He was in possession of false identification in the names of Ben Jarvis and Ruben Kinkaid Blue.

Yeah, that struck me too. And his situation could have caused him to end far from home, in desperate straits.

It looks like a very good possibility.

ETA: though you'd think they would have mentioned that distinctive tattoo.
 
This one came up on my radar a few months ago, and somewhere I read that this has already been ruled out.

I think it was Porchlight. I'll look around to see if I can find it again.

ETA: I have a comment in my notes:
Ruled out according to WS member DD Byrd

ETA (Again): Here's the link (q64ceo brought up the possible on post #43, and DD Byrd's comment about the rule-out is on post number 50).

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44908&page=2
 
This one came up on my radar a few months ago, and somewhere I read that this has already been ruled out.

I think it was Porchlight. I'll look around to see if I can find it again.

ETA: I have a comment in my notes:


ETA (Again): Here's the link (q64ceo brought up the possible on post #43, and DD Byrd's comment about the rule-out is on post number 50).

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44908&page=2

Didn't want to bring up anything ugly but....

I did read the post that someone said it was not Reuben because he/she already sent it in. I am finding that has happened before to dissuade someone from turning in a find so they can prepare a submission. If the post gives a source for the rule out (did not in this case) then I say it is 'ify'. But I would never let that stop me if I felt I had a good solid case with more than a physical likeness.
Maybe this is not him. But what if it is? Maybe someone on the receiving end of the report didn't want the info? That happens and is a fact. If Doe rejects it, then go ahead and definitely submit it to the MP agency, the recovering agency and the coroner. A short concise logical summary and good photo study recorded will get you past the bored, uninterested, sloppy or stupid and cheerful review.

These cases are too important to the families to take one persons opinion that they are not the UP. Off my soap box now.:innocent:

ETA: Someone asked me why send the submissions by email to all the agencies involved.
Simple. It keeps everyone honest. Everyone involved can see by the email addresses that others are involved and they don't want to be the one to drop the ball. Play their egos. It is definitely a dirty business in more ways than one.
 
I hope this is not considered "off topic" but I just wanted to say that in my searches on the different threads including the one mentioned above, when someone says there is a rule out the discussion seems to wane. Generally it comes to an abrupt halt. There are always other avenues to any case to explore. I know that takes a lot of time but I also know there are some here who have had a pet case for a very long time, myself included. I am obsessed with about 4 and I keep hitting that brick wall. Just don't give up.
 
I cannot find this UID in Namus so it is impossible to tell who might be on a rule out list. for all we know, anyone we discuss on here might be on a rule out list.

Doe Network lists Lt. Marvin Roye as the contact person with a phone number. I tried to google the Alabama Bureau of Investigation but was unable to get a working link.
 
Missing: The Doe Network:
Case File 240DMIA



Matthew John Ferris
Missing since March 7, 1991 from Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.
Classification: Endangered Missing


Possible Match to:

The Doe Network:
Case File 502UMAL

1 2
Reconstruction of Victim

Unidentified White Male

The victim was discovered on December 21, 1991 in Dekalb County, Alabama
Estimated Time of Death: August 1991
The man died from asphyxiation caused by hanging, which was ruled a suicide.
Skeletal Remains


Any comments would be great!
 

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What I found interesting was the connection to North Dakota on the victim, and the missing boy's fathers mention that they had a connection to the boy in South Dakota. If he was in trouble and the "idea" is that he may have robbed a bank and ran, would make sense that he had traveled that way and then went south. Interesting.
 
What about his guy?

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1852dmia.html


Robert Lee Kellar


•Date Of Birth: March 24, 1969
•Age at Time of Disappearance: 19 years old
•Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 6'1"; 160 lbs
•Distinguishing Characteristics: White male. Brown hair; brown eyes. He has an outgoing personality and contagious smile.
•Marks, Scars: He has two small scars on his left cheek. Small scar below right eye and small scar on right wrist.
•Medical Conditions: He does not have a documented or medically diagnosed disability, but his family believes that he is prone to depression and anxiety.
•Dentals: Available
•Fingerprints: Available
•AKA: Robbie; Bob; Lee; Rob



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Circumstances of Disappearance
Kellar always wanted to be a singer in a rock and roll band. He would hitchhike to California, Colorado and Florida, exploring the United States and chasing that dream. The last time he left, he never came back.
According to family members he wasn't acting like himself in the months prior to his disappearance. He was depressed and also had other problems that were hard for him to handle and may have been using drugs. Kellar's family reported him missing in 1992, two years after he left on his last cross-country trip. They assumed he would be back. Muscatine police took the report but didn’t find evidence of a crime. Because there was no indication of foul play in the disappearance of Kellar, the investigation concluded that he left the area voluntarily.
Kellar's family believes he is residing in another state probably Colorado, California, New York or Florida. They have not had any contact with him and are concerned as a result of this.


Here is a story I found on the Doe Network about Robert:




A son’s disappearance ... a family’s pain: Nearly 16 years after Robert Kellar’s family last saw him, the Muscatine resident is still missing




January 26, 2006
Muscatine Journal
by Melissa Regennitter of the Muscatine Journal



MUSCATINE, Iowa - Robert Lee Kellar always wanted to be a singer in a rock and roll band. He would hitchhike to California, Colorado and Florida, exploring the United States and chasing that dream.

It has been nearly 16 years since his family has seen him. They haven’t forgotten his outgoing personality and contagious smile.

Now, they just wish they knew what has become of him.

His sister, Stephanie Ruefer, 35, of Muscatine remembers her brother leaving in February 1990.

“He didn’t say where he was going; he was always traveling here and there. He just wanted to do his own thing,” Ruefer said. “We didn’t talk to him much when he was away. Every two to six months, he’d come back, so we weren’t necessarily worried that we hadn’t seen him.”

Kellar was 19 when he left Musca-tine for the last time. No one in the family has heard from him since then.

Having problems

Kellar’s mother, Verna Craig, of Muscatine had tears in her eyes when she talked about the boy she remembers and misses deeply. Craig, 57, said her son was having problems and may have been using drugs.

“He wasn’t acting like himself,” Craig said about Kellar’s behavior during the months prior to his disappearance. “I think he was depressed and also had other problems that were hard for him to handle.”

Ruefer reported Kellar missing in 1992, two years after he left on his last cross-country trip. She said the family assumed he would be back. Muscatine police took the report but didn’t find evidence of a crime.

Though they were worried, they waited. Eventually, the family lost hope of his return and grew concerned that something was wrong.

Ruefer has spent many hours searching Web site lists of missing people, wondering about the fate of her brother. A few weeks ago, she took Kellar’s photograph to the Muscatine Police Department in hopes of having the case reopened.

According to Capt. Mike Scott of the Muscatine Police Department, because there was no indication of foul play in the disappearance of Kellar, the investigation concluded that he left the area voluntarily.

In such cases, police enter the information they have into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a computerized index of criminal justice information. If Kellar is ever located, the information of his whereabouts will be forwarded to the Muscatine Police Department.

Search network

Scott also passed the case information on to the Doe Network n volunteers who search Web sites, news articles and law enforcement agency information looking for connections in missing persons and unidentified persons cases.

The Doe Network functions through a Web site that lists each incident by case number.

Angie Bunch, 31, of Williamsburg, Ky., is the Indiana and Iowa area director. She said the network began with two people in 1999 and now there are more than 580 volunteers. Donations support its operation.

There are 38 missing persons and four unidentified victim cases posted for the state of Iowa on the network’s Web site.

“That is nowhere near the number we should have,” Bunch said.

She encourages interested families to contact the Doe Network to place information about missing persons in the database.

To date, the Doe Network has not solved any Iowa cases. Nationwide, 34 cases have been unraveled, some with the assistance of law enforcement agencies.

According to Bunch, 15 volunteers have already responded to the posting of Kellar’s disappearance. One volunteer told Bunch she had a feeling that she had seen his face in past searches.

That feeling has yet to produce any useful information.

Those in the family of Robert Lee Kellar continue to seek closure to heal the loss and fill the void.

“Honestly, I think he is completely gone n passed away,” Ruefer said. “I can only hope someone, somewhere has a clue to his disappearance. We want to know regardless of the situation.”

Contact Melissa Regennitter at: 563-263-2331 Ext. 317 or mregennitter@muscatinejournal.com



It looks like Robert possibly has been all over the US...

Any thoughts??
 
this is the Doe Network link for the UID:

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/502umal.html

Kellar is certainly possible given the circumstances of his disappearance but given his rock and roll interests, I'm not sure what he would have been doing in Fargo, ND when the vehicle was purchased.
 
This case is now 20 years old. Does anyone know if any 20 year anniversary articles have been printed or are being written?

-------------------------------------------------
Unidentified White Male

The victim was discovered on December 21, 1991 in Dekalb County, Alabama

Estimated Time of Death: August 1991

The man died from asphyxiation caused by hanging, which was ruled a suicide.

Skeletal Remains

Vital Statistics
Estimated Age: 18-25 years old
Approximate Height and Weight: 5'11"- 6'1"; 165-180 lbs.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Possibly mixed race of Native/White. Hair samples provided conflicting evidence of the man's race. A Department of Forensic Sciences report said the hair samples were consistent with a Caucasian.
Dentals: The victims teeth were in good condition with several fillings and all wisdom teeth were fully erupted. Dental charts entered in NCIC.
Clothing: Black Levi jeans (size 33-34), a black button-front shirt and white L/A Gear brand athletic shoes (approximately 10 1/2). Also found with the remains was a Gerber brand boot knife.
Fingerprints: Available

Case History

The victim was located in a wooded area of Dekalb County, Alabama on December 21, 1991.

Hunters discovered the partially decomposed body, hanging from a tree, in a wooded area, near the intersection of DeKalb County 51 and Alabama 277 in the Hendrixville community near the Elowah County line. The man apparently died by suicide, probably standing on stacked logs and hanging himself from a while rope tied to a tree.

In September 1991, an abandoned car with North Dakota license plates was located nearby.

An unidentified person reported a blue 1982 Ford Escort abandoned in a gravel pit near DeKalb County 51 and Alabama 227 on September 1.

The car, which carried North Dakota tag BBU178, was towed to a garage in Collinsville, but was never searched until the skeletal remains were discovered nearby in December.

When officers searched the car December 22, they found several items: a Pizza Hut receipt, dated August 27 from Cullman, Alabama, a ticket stub from Smith Lake, Cullman; a piece of paper bearing the phone number of St. Benedictine's Abbey in Cullman; a notebook; a forged birth certificate from Washington state in the name of Damon Hunter; a blank birth certificate from Washington state; and a note.

The note said: "I have a gun. If the cops come, I will kill everyone in here, then myself. Put all the fifties, twenties and tens in a large envelope with this note quickly and calmly."There was speculation that the man found hanged may have robbed a bank or business, but he only had $60 in cash in his belongings.

Investigators traced the car to a Fargo, N.D., hotel, where a man using the name Damon Hunter bought it. The man known as Hunter checked into the Donaldson Hotel on August 5 and paid $17.20 for one night's rent. The next day, he paid an additional $53.75 for another week.

Police called St. Benedictine's Abbey, where someone told officers that a white male called the Abbey during the late summer of 1991. The young man said he was in serious financial trouble. He said the people he owed had already assaulted him and threatened his parents. The man also said he was considering robbery to obtain the money he needed.

The identity of the man who called the abbey and his connection to the abandoned vehicle and the skeleton have not been determined.

Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:

Alabama Bureau of Investigation
Lt. Marvin Roye
205-322-4691

You may remain anonymous when submitting information.

NCIC Number: U-546893200

Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
Grand Forks Herald (ND) - December 27, 1991
Huntsville Times, The (AL) - 5/11/1992
The Doe Network: Case File 502UMAL
 
What about Donald Denninger? He was in trouble with the law and was known to be depressed and suicidal.

Donald James Denninger
Missing since October 29, 1990 from Largo, Pinellas County, Florida
Classification: Missing

Vital Statistics

Date Of Birth: September 25, 1965
Age at Time of Disappearance: 25 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 6'0"; 180 lbs.
Distinguishing Characteristics: White male. Black hair; hazel eyes. Mustache.
Clothing: Blue jeans; white T-shirt.
Dentals / Fingerprints: Available
Circumstances of Disappearance
Denninger was last seen by his girlfriend at home. He was reported missing by family members from out of state after police checked on his whereabouts for a pending court case. He was reportedly depressed and suicidal when last seen. He is transient.
 
Bump. Sounds like UID was maybe planning to rob a business or bank to pay off debts, but either the robbery failed or he couldn't bring himself to do it. I would think if the robbery had been successful he could have been traced a bit - a robbery would be reported. So if it failed it would have failed before someone noticed, like he backed out at the last minute, or maybe his transport didn't work, something.
 

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