NY NY - David Michael Loew, 22, USAF Sergeant, Rome, 10 Dec 1984

[rob525]

"July 1984 was a pivotal month. David had broken up with Maggie, and was transferred to his new assignment at Griffiss AFB, in Rome, New York. That month, David re-enlisted for another four year hitch, for which he received a re-enlistment bonus. David soon met, dated, and began living with Sue, a single mother of two young children. He bought a used 1980 Plymouth Horizon station wagon and a Radio Shack Computer, and took out bank loans on both."

I find it odd that he reenlisted, received an enlistment bonus and met this girl Sue, whom hew began living with all within a month. At the same time his financial situation seems to have started a downward trend.
I wonder how much she really knew about him and maybe thought he was from NC and not just born there? Most folks would probably realize that leaving the base stickers / license plate on the car could get it tracked very quickly. If someone other than David dumped the car in NC. It seems that they know he had at least some connection to the area.

 

[Richard]

David's car was dumped very close to I-95 and almost as soon as it entered North Carolina. Could this mean that whoever dumped it did NOT want it found in the State of Virginia? There might be some connection to David's disappearance with Virginia, rather than the state of North Carolina.

 

[rob525]

I guess that is possible. Although, I do not recall in the previous posts any mention of a connection to Virginia. In my experience ( although some years ago) that area around Emporia was always heavy with cops. I would seem logical that the area would be one were an abandoned car would be noticed fairly quickly by LE. JMO

 

[Laughing]

Does anyone think that David Michael Loew grabbed a name from a child's tombstone & reappeared in Indiana, then repeat his disappearing act?

IN - IN - Paul Raymond Harrod, adult, may have been using false identity, Hamilton County, 27 Nov 1992

Kansas City -- Richards Gebaur AFB, decommissioned @1994, still Reserves stationed there Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base (historical) (in Cass County, MO) Wichita, KS -- McConnell AFB Vern, does the person you found seem to have any connection to Richards-Gebaur? If they divorced in Missouri...

www.websleuths.com

 

[PembrokeLove]

I just wanted to add that I don’t find it strange at all that’s his First Sargent would be all up in his finances like that. It’s not uncommon, especially with the younger guys, for their superiors to be tasked with helping them to handle their finances, especially if checks are bounced on base and/or (in the past, as they are now not allowed afaik) if they start taking out those predatory payday loans.

When my father was about an E4 (based on my age that’s my best guess), he paid his truck loan and my mother did a large commissary purchase a few days before payday because at the time it took several days for the checks to clear. They both hit the bank, and the bank, the commissary, and the car people had all called his commanding officer writhing 72 hours. He was put on a financial protocol where he and my mother had to take some financial classes together, and he had to bring in, get approved, and stick to a budget for six months. It was all overseen by his superior, who also met with him twice per month near payday.

As he progressed in his career, there came a point in my teenaged years when I’d hear him tell my mother he had to go in early because this younger soldier had not been paying on this or that bill, and several times he had guys in financial meetings because they’d gotten in over their heads with those payday loans back when they worked hard to prey on the army guys.

My only point I guess is that it may not be as suspicious as some folks believe that it is. In my experience, for someone his age with the types of issues we knew he and Sue had I just don’t view it as terribly strange.

 

[Richard]

I just wanted to add that I don’t find it strange at all that’s his First Sargent would be all up in his finances like that. It’s not uncommon, especially with the younger guys, for their superiors to be tasked with helping them to handle their finances, especially if checks are bounced on base and/or (in the past, as they are now not allowed afaik) if they start taking out those predatory payday loans.

When my father was about an E4 (based on my age that’s my best guess), he paid his truck loan and my mother did a large commissary purchase a few days before payday because at the time it took several days for the checks to clear. They both hit the bank, and the bank, the commissary, and the car people had all called his commanding officer writhing 72 hours. He was put on a financial protocol where he and my mother had to take some financial classes together, and he had to bring in, get approved, and stick to a budget for six months. It was all overseen by his superior, who also met with him twice per month near payday.

As he progressed in his career, there came a point in my teenaged years when I’d hear him tell my mother he had to go in early because this younger soldier had not been paying on this or that bill, and several times he had guys in financial meetings because they’d gotten in over their heads with those payday loans back when they worked hard to prey on the army guys.

My only point I guess is that it may not be as suspicious as some folks believe that it is. In my experience, for someone his age with the types of issues we knew he and Sue had I just don’t view it as terribly strange.

What you say regarding financial responsibility counseling in the military is correct. And the Squadron First Sergeant could well have been doing just that.

Some measures taken might not have been strictly " legal" (such as ordering a junior service member to withdraw money or purchase a money order, or pay a bill) BUT the military way sometimes has to prevail.

I think that David's financial troubles must have played a part in his disappearance, but exactly what part is not known. Certainly there were many other factors and unanswered questions.
..
See post number 9 of this thread for my previous thoughts regarding the Squadron First Sergeant and his involvement in David's case.

David has been missing for over 38 years.

 

[Richard]

Bumping this case up.

Sergeant David Michael Loew, age 22, Missing since 10 December 1984
From Griffiss AFB, Rome, NY

 

[Richard]

Could this unidentified case be related to the disappearance of David Loew?


Gilmore County (Georgia) John Doe forensic reconstruction

Case Info​

Date found: Sat, 08/09/1986
Race: White
Location: Wooded area 6 miles south of Ellijay, GA in Gilmer County
Weight: 140 - 180 lbs
Height: 5'8" - 5'9"
Eyes: Unknown
Hair Color: Brown
Sex: Male
Birth Range: 1935 - 1955
Contact Info: GBI Region 8 Office in Cleveland, GA - 706-348-4866

The skeletal remains of a male were found in a wooded area 6 miles south of Ellijay, GA in Gilmer County on August 9th, 1986. He is thought to be in his mid 20's to 30's, 5'8" to 5'9" tall, 140 to 180 lbs., and of Caucasian ancestry.

A Pair of green or blue work style pants, a blue webbed belt with a military buckle, a white t-shirt, white or off-white boxer style undershorts, and brown loafers were found at the scene.

GBI Case Number 08-0065-01-87
Medical Examiners Office Number 86-19789.

LINK:

Unidentified Remains: Gilmer County, White Male 218240004

The skeletal remains of a male were found in a wooded area 6 miles south of Ellijay, GA in Gilmer County on August 9th, 1986. He is thought to be in his mid 20's to 30's, 5'8" to 5'9" tall, 140 to 180 lbs., and of Caucasian ancestry. A Pair of green or blue work style pants, a blue webbed belt...

gbi.georgia.gov

 

[Laughing]

Stubborn here, I still see a resemblance to the man who called himself Paul Raymond Harrod after stealing a deceased child's name. 'Not-Paul' appeared in Indiana in the '80's, then disappeared again.

View attachment 442046

WhoIsPRH? - Photographs

This was the last photograph taken of "Fake" Paul on Thanksgiving 1992, the day he disappeared

www.whoispaulraymondharrod.com

Thread for Not-Paul:

IN - IN - Paul Raymond Harrod May Have Been Using False Identity - Hamilton County - 27 Nov 1992 #2

@T rex , great thinking!!! All "the usual" hasn't turned up anything definitive -- this guy's story is well aligned with fakePaul! Chesty Chips Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Chesty-Potato-chips/100069246392421/ Amway: Amway US but no posts yet...

www.websleuths.com

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[Laughing]

Could this unidentified case be related to the disappearance of David Loew?

A Pair of green or blue work style pants, a blue webbed belt with a military buckle, a white t-shirt, white or off-white boxer style undershorts, and brown loafers were found at the scene.

LINK:

Unidentified Remains: Gilmer County, White Male 218240004

The skeletal remains of a male were found in a wooded area 6 miles south of Ellijay, GA in Gilmer County on August 9th, 1986. He is thought to be in his mid 20's to 30's, 5'8" to 5'9" tall, 140 to 180 lbs., and of Caucasian ancestry. A Pair of green or blue work style pants, a blue webbed belt...

gbi.georgia.gov

rsbm bbm

pants & belt certainly could be uniform items!

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[megs1477]

Stubborn here, I still see a resemblance to the man who called himself Paul Raymond Harrod after stealing a deceased child's name. 'Not-Paul' appeared in Indiana in the '80's, then disappeared again.

View attachment 442046

WhoIsPRH? - Photographs

This was the last photograph taken of "Fake" Paul on Thanksgiving 1992, the day he disappeared

www.whoispaulraymondharrod.com

Thread for Not-Paul:

IN - IN - Paul Raymond Harrod May Have Been Using False Identity - Hamilton County - 27 Nov 1992 #2

@T rex , great thinking!!! All "the usual" hasn't turned up anything definitive -- this guy's story is well aligned with fakePaul! Chesty Chips Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Chesty-Potato-chips/100069246392421/ Amway: Amway US but no posts yet...

www.websleuths.com

jmho ymmv lrr

Interesting.. His body was found a year before PRH showed up in Indiana tho

 

[Richard]

Sergeant David Michael Loew, age 22, Missing since 10 December 1984
From Griffiss AFB, Rome, NY

The disappearance of David Loew certainly has many strange elements and conflicting stories.

David enlisted in the Air Force right out of High School in 1980, and did very well in the service. He was chosen as Airman of the Quarter and then Airman of the Year by his command. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant and he re-enlisted for another four years while stationed in England.

Upon transfer back to the US, he bought a car and a computer, and met a girl that he liked. Things were going well - until they didn't. David began to have financial difficulties and got behind on payments for his car and computer. There is some rumor that he may have been losing bets on football games - but nothing provable.

The evening before David went missing, he had gone Christmas shopping with his girlfriend. The next day, 10 December 1984, He drove from the house he was sharing with his girlfriend to his job at the Squadron. He was wearing his Class A uniform, but had taken a pair of civilian slacks and a knit sweater with him.

At the Squadron, he was counseled by the First Sergeant concerning some letters of indebtedness. The First Sergeant ordered him to go the the ATM on base and to withdraw a certain amount of cash. David returned with only about half of the total, but stated that there was a limit on what he could get at the ATM. He was told to make another trip to the Bank or ATM for the rest of the money (presumably money he owed to the letter writer). He was supposed to also go to the base clinic or dispensary for a previous appointment.

This was the last anyone saw of him. He did not show up for his medical appointment and did not return to the First Sergeant's office.

About a week later, David's car was found abandoned in North Carolina, just south of the Virginia/NC state line. The Air Force and the local police in Rome, NY conducted investigations, but David has remained missing for the past 39 years.

Did David leave on his own with the intention of deserting the Air Force? Or was he murdered by a person or persons unknown and his car driven several states south in an effort to cover up his murder?

 

[Richard]

We're looking for any info about the disappearance of Sgt. David Loew, formerly @ Griffiss AFB, New York. Contact OSI @ 877-246-1453 or https://p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=1111p… w/ info DISCLAIMERlease don't approach him, we don’t know motive for desertion, how they might react if confronted.
https://twitter.com/RealAFOSI/status/1621546743069376513/photo/1
https://twitter.com/RealAFOSI/status/1621546743069376513/photo/1
https://twitter.com/RealAFOSI/status/1621546743069376513/photo/1
LINK:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1621546743069376513

 

[megs1477]

David's squad has an Association that contains quite a few photos, and memory stories...yet no mention of him.

1980’s

Below are pictures from the mid-1980s at Griffiss AFB sent in by CMSgt Chris Acostar (1983 – 1985) Recently received poster for the 1984 Christmas Party of the 49th. The poster was sub…

49thfightersquadronassociation.com

 

[lonewanderer]

I am sure this is an unrelated case, but is just really weird tidbits that are similar.

David Glenn Lewis disappeared in 1993, on the same night as a Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl game.

He was later found dead in Washington State after being hit by a car. He was running in and out of traffic, mysteriously wearing an Air Force uniform.

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/1993-hit-run-victim-is-finally-identified-1156263.php

The Cowboys in the Super Bowl, the Air Force, and traces of them being found multiple states away.

To be sure they are not related, but just.....odd.....

 

[Sleuthster]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

 

[Richard]

the 10th of this Month marks 39 years since David went missing.

 

[lonewanderer]

Does anyone think that David Michael Loew grabbed a name from a child's tombstone & reappeared in Indiana, then repeat his disappearing act?

IN - IN - Paul Raymond Harrod, adult, may have been using false identity, Hamilton County, 27 Nov 1992

Kansas City -- Richards Gebaur AFB, decommissioned @1994, still Reserves stationed there Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base (historical) (in Cass County, MO) Wichita, KS -- McConnell AFB Vern, does the person you found seem to have any connection to Richards-Gebaur? If they divorced in Missouri...

www.websleuths.com

Stubborn here, I still see a resemblance to the man who called himself Paul Raymond Harrod after stealing a deceased child's name. 'Not-Paul' appeared in Indiana in the '80's, then disappeared again.

View attachment 442046

WhoIsPRH? - Photographs

This was the last photograph taken of "Fake" Paul on Thanksgiving 1992, the day he disappeared

www.whoispaulraymondharrod.com

Thread for Not-Paul:

IN - IN - Paul Raymond Harrod May Have Been Using False Identity - Hamilton County - 27 Nov 1992 #2

@T rex , great thinking!!! All "the usual" hasn't turned up anything definitive -- this guy's story is well aligned with fakePaul! Chesty Chips Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Chesty-Potato-chips/100069246392421/ Amway: Amway US but no posts yet...

www.websleuths.com

jmho ymmv lrr

Thats not completely unheard of.

Many of the identity theft/assumption men in particular have a military background.

Joseph Newton Chandler, among others, come to mind.

Actually, I cannot think of a single identity related male case that did not serve in the military.