TX TX - Samuel Rawls, 16, San Antonio, 1988

Texas teen was trying to turn life around when he disappeared


November 10, 2010|By Philip Rosenbaum, Nancy Grace producer


Sam Rawls, left, disappeared in 1988. An age progression photo shows how he might look now.
By the time he turned 16, Sam Rawls had already seen lifetimes worth of trouble.

He was heavily into drug use, sometimes had a violent temper and committed burglary and eventually spent three months in a court-ordered detention and rehabilitation facility in Waco, Texas, said Denise Martin, Rawls' mother.

Rawls was released and returned home to San Antonio in November 1987, spending the next several months trying to get his act together, Martin said. With his difficult past, that was very complicated.

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-11-10/...mother-blond-hair-and-blue-jacket?_s=PM:CRIME

Samuel Ray Rawls


Left and Center: Rawls, circa 1988;
Right: Age-progression at age 39 (circa 2010)


Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: February 27, 1988 from San Antonio, Texas
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: April 7, 1971
Age: 16 years old
Height and Weight: 6'2, 150 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Blond hair, blue eyes. Rawls has previously broken his collarbone on the left side and it protrudes as a result. He has a scar above his navel. His nickname is Sam and he may use the last name Hain.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A black and white pullover jacket, blue Levi's 501 jeans, white Kaepa sneakers, a watch with a moon design on the face and a tan cowhide band, and a silver ring with a turquoise stone in the shape of a marijuana leaf.


Details of Disappearance

Rawls was last seen in San Antonio, Texas on February 17, 1988. He mowed the lawn and told his mother he was going out to see friends that night. He took his bicycle with him. He has never been heard from again. His bicycle did reappear at his residence, however.
Rawls's life was very troubled prior to his disappearance. He abused drugs and was known to have a violent temper. After he was convicted of burglary, he spent three months in a detention facility in Waco, Texas. He was released in November 1987 and returned home to San Antonio. His mother stated he seemed to be trying to improve his life and stay out of trouble. He had dropped out of sight for a few days at a time before, but he always kept in touch with his mother and would take belongings with him.

According to his mother, Rawls was fascinated with Satanism and may have been involved in a Satantic cult at the time of his disappearance. His mother stated he enjoyed acting and sketching, and wanted to become an artist when he grew up. Foul play is suspected in his case, which remains unsolved.



Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Texas Department of Public Safety
800-346-3243



Source Information
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
Texas Department of Public Safety
CNN



Updated 4 times since October 12, 2004.

Last updated December 11, 2010; age-progression updated.

Charley Project Home

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/r/rawls_samuel.html

Sam's case on Nancy Grace America's Missing:

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/crime/2011/01/22/ng.americas.missing.c.cnn

Samuel Rawls: Born April 7, 1971 Missing Date: Feb 27, 1988 Missing From: San Antonio Samuel's photo is shown age-progressed to 39 years. Samuel's collar bone protrudes on his left side and he has a scar above his navel. Samuel may go by the name Sam Hain.

http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/f...for-missing-teenage-7395614.php#photo-4663737

Bumping

Search continues for teen who vanished more than 30 years ago, Help Us Find: Samuel Rawls

These 4 San Antonio kids have been missing for more than 20 years

Samuel was last seen as he accompanied a girl home from a friend's house. Later, his bike was found at his home but he has not been seen since. Samuel's collar bone protrudes on his left side and he has a scar above his navel. He was last seen wearing a black and white pullover jacket, Levi's 501 jeans, and white Kaepa sports shoes. Samuel may go by the name Sam Hain. FOUL PLAY POSSIBLE.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)