NY NY - Matthew Stephen Wood, 35, Greenwich (Washington County), 28 May 2008

[NYDan1230]

Namus Link: The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Charley Project: Matthew Stephen Wood – The Charley Project

Very little info online about this MP.

35 / 6'1 / 180-200 lbs. / Caucasian / Brown Hair / Hazel Eyes / clean shaven
Has Tattoos on arms of Ireland and Led Zeppelin and Cartoon Characters on Ankle

Left a note saying he was going to WalMart - Car was later found in Wilton, NY WalMart parking lot - He was never heard from again.

 

[JaneDrew]

Your post sent me on some searching. I also haven't found much, but this early local article includes a few pieces of info over the NamUs and Charley Project

-a bit of info about his employment and finances
-his past history of taking a spontaneous trip
-his car
-the cartoons are apparently South Park characters

Police search for missing man

 

[NYDan1230]

Another page with photos:
Matthew Stephen Wood - New York Missing Person Directory

 

[NYDan1230]

Bumping for Matthew!

 

[NYDan1230]

NamUs page appears to have been removed.. did a search and haven't found anything... possible he was located?

 

[iamjk]

NamUs page appears to have been removed.. did a search and haven't found anything... possible he was located?

Wow that is weird they took him off recently…my best friend is actually the friend that he told his parents he was going to meet in the note. But he says they never had plans (he has been questioned by the police and fbi a few times).

 

[iamjk]

From the NAMUS website…

Missing, unidentified, and unclaimed person cases entered into NamUs may be unpublished, published, or archived. Upon permission from the investigating agency, an unresolved case is published in NamUs and will remain published until the missing person has been located, the unidentified decedent has been identified, or next of kin has been located to facilitate a death notification and have the remains claimed for burial or cremation. Upon resolution, a case is permanently archived in NamUs, but no longer accessible for viewing to public or professional users, with the exception of the professional user(s) attached to the case as a Case Contributor.

seems like the only way to get a namus taken down would be if the person was found, a John Doe was proven to be the missing person, or the family provided death records….this is very interesting and weird.

 

[NYDan1230]

Wow that is weird they took him off recently…my best friend is actually the friend that he told his parents he was going to meet in the note. But he says they never had plans (he has been questioned by the police and fbi a few times).

Interesting! Is your friend still in contact with the family? Did you know Matthew also?

 

[mickchick]

I am also very interested in any current information. I was friends with Matthew in college. We graduated standing next to each other in 1995. Many awesome memories. The last time we had lunch was probably 1996. I didn't realize he was missing until I read a Times Union Article in 2019. Broke my heart. He was known as "Chatty Matty" in college.

 

[NYDan1230]

I am also very interested in any current information. I was friends with Matthew in college. We graduated standing next to each other in 1995. Many awesome memories. The last time we had lunch was probably 1996. I didn't realize he was missing until I read a Times Union Article in 2019. Broke my heart. He was known as "Chatty Matty" in college.

 

[NYDan1230]

Interesting.. you are new to WS? Do you have any pictures of him to share from college?

 

[mickchick]

I will have to look. I know there were ones taken. But I am not sure if I know where they are, or if I still have them. If I find any I will post. Also yes I am new to WS. I did not know it existed and only found out by telling the story to my boss who immediately got online. The story was triggered by me hearing the song "I saw the sign" by Ace of Base. He hated that song with a passion and was annoyed that my roommate and I played it non stop junior year.

 

[annpats]

This early local article includes a few pieces of info over the NamUs and Charley Project: a bit of info about his employment and finances, his past history of taking a spontaneous trip, his car, the cartoons are apparently South Park characters
Police search for missing man

It's behind a paywall. Does anyone already subscribe and can post the details here?

 

[NYDan1230]

Sent an email to the main NamUS inquiry email address two days ago, to alert them that the page wasn't opening(in case it is an error) and to ask if they are at liberty to give out any information even as small as whether the case has been closed or is still open. I have no idea if they will respond, but at least I tried... in case it's a mistake.... maybe they will get the page fixed... If I hear back I will share.

 

[annpats]

Sent an email to the main NamUS inquiry email address two days ago, to alert them that the page wasn't opening(in case it is an error) and to ask if they are at liberty to give out any information even as small as whether the case has been closed or is still open. I have no idea if they will respond, but at least I tried... in case it's a mistake.... maybe they will get the page fixed... If I hear back I will share.

Well done. And thank you.

 

[NYDan1230]

No reply as of yet from the NamUS main inquiry email. I sent a second email to the NamUS Regional Program Specialist for New York. Hopefully will hear back from them.

 

[NYDan1230]

No reply as of yet from the NamUS main inquiry email. I sent a second email to the NamUS Regional Program Specialist for New York. Hopefully will hear back from them.

Updating: I got a response from NamUS and they are checking to see if the page/link is broken.
They cannot give out any other information, unfortunately.

 

[NYDan1230]

It has been almost 2 months and the page is still not back on NamUS. I fear we will never know the fate of Matthew. It is quite discouraging.

 

[taramarie]

this is 100% a guess, but I think he may have been identified as this John Doe. When the John Doe was identified, it was announced that the person had gone missing from the east coast in 2008 and that the missing person WAS in NamUs. However, family of the former John Doe chose not to release his name for privacy reasons.

Regardless of if this man was Matthew or not, I hope the family is able to find peace

Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, Parabon ID Skeletal Remains from 2009 Cold Case

Law enforcement recovered the almost-complete skeleton of a male individual, a large suitcase full of clothing, and a small backpack with toiletries. No identification for the deceased was found within these items.

www.forensicmag.com

 

[NYDan1230]

this is 100% a guess, but I think he may have been identified as this John Doe. When the John Doe was identified, it was announced that the person had gone missing from the east coast in 2008 and that the missing person WAS in NamUs. However, family of the former John Doe chose not to release his name for privacy reasons.

Regardless of if this man was Matthew or not, I hope the family is able to find peace

Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, Parabon ID Skeletal Remains from 2009 Cold Case

Law enforcement recovered the almost-complete skeleton of a male individual, a large suitcase full of clothing, and a small backpack with toiletries. No identification for the deceased was found within these items.

www.forensicmag.com

Wow... Thank you taramarie, an excellent find there. I agree that it is very likely that this was him. The DNA constructed photo really does look a lot like him. Amazing things they can do nowadays! A sad ending, but hopefully some closure nonetheless. I hope for peace for his family.