NY NY - Robert Gutkaiss, 15, murdered, Stephentown, 30 June 1983

On June 30th 1983, Robert "Bobby" Gutkaiss went to the Pease farm for his first day of work. When he didn't arrive home that night, his mother notified authorities. The farm owner said that Robert had left at around 6 pm and was walking down Route 22. Eight days later, his body was found after a foul odor was reported. His death was ruled a homicide.

Upstate Cold Case: Police still look for killer of 15 year old near Albany 33 years ago

Thirty-three years later, New York State Police investigators are still trying to figure out who killed the teenager. They released information about the case this week as part of a State Police's series on cold cases.

There are currently no suspects and no new details on a cause of death, said State Police Senior Investigator John Camp.

At the time, police believed the boy had been sexually assaulted and killed, according to a 1993 Schenectady Daily Gazette article. Police looked at several suspects, including family members, but no one was arrested, the paper reported.

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Troopers shine spotlight on 1983 killing of Stephentown teen

Gutkaiss left for his first day of work as a berry picker at Pease Farm in Stephentown on June 30, 1983. After working for two and a half hours that afternoon, he left on foot, heading north on state Route 22. The boy promised his supervisor he'd return for his paycheck that evening but never did. At 10:40 p.m., his mother, Grace Gutkaiss, reported her son, known as Bobby, had not returned home.

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The first article notes that serial killer Lewis Lent was once considered a suspect.

Robert's page on find a grave has some more information about the family members.

Find a Grave

New York State Police Case File

On June 30, 1983, 15-year-old Robert “Bobby” Gutkaiss left his home for his first day of work as a berry picker at Pease Farm in Stephentown, New York.

At 10:40 PM that same day, Bobby’s mother, Grace Gutkaiss, reported that her son had not returned home from the farm.

The owner of Pease Farm stated Bobby had worked on June 30, 1983 from 4:30 PM until 6:00 PM. The farm owner said he last saw Bobby walking in a northerly direction on State Route 22 toward Stephentown, NY. The farm owner had instructed Bobby to return to the farm later that evening to receive his pay. Bobby never returned.

A missing person investigation was started to locate Gutkaiss. Interviews with family, friends, neighbors and organized searches failed to develop pertinent information.

On July 07, 1983, a report of a foul odor on a logging road in Stephentown was reported to the New York State Police.

On July 8, 1983 the decomposing body of Robert ‘Bobby’ Gutkaiss was located. Bobby’s death was ruled a homicide.


Photo of scene in 1983

https://www.nyspnews.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=53868

Aug 11 2020
State Police need help with Stephentown murder cold case | WETM - MyTwinTiers.com

15-year old Robert “Bobby” Gutkaiss’ body was found on a logging road in Stephentown, N.Y. on July 8, 1983. (NYSP)

''Report of a foul odor on a logging road in Stephentown came into State Police on July 7, 1983. The next day, July 8, the decomposing body of Robert “Bobby” Gutkaiss was found. Gutkaiss’s death was ruled a homicide.

New York State Police are asking for any assistance from the public in their ongoing effort to solve the murder of Robert “Bobby” Gutkaiss. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call SP Schodack at 518-732-4644.''

I reported the comment(s) on findagrave to state troopers and SP in Latham are assigned the case. Stephentown is almost 45 mins from Latham. Maybe they handle local cold cases or it’s the closest major crimes unit.

“Your email has been forward to the Investigators at the Troop G Major Crimes Unit at SP Latham who are assigned to the Bobby Gutkaiss investigation......”

it’s good to know that it still seems active

Poor kid, sounds like his father and brothers were pretty messed up