TX TX - Rogelio Cerda, 15, Bay City, 29 June 1975

just read the blog entry about that day...a couple of curious lines. one says "we can all deal with stuff from the past now that we are older" and the other says " no more lies, no more cover ups"

definitely gives the thought there were troubles or family dysfunctions he was being affected by before he disappeared

Cindy seems to imply that her family and the family who was with Rogelio that day had a serious falling out, particularly with Rogelio's girlfriend Betty. I have a feeling that the falling out stemmed from the fact that the Cerdas blamed them for (in their mind) helping Rogelio run away. The other family, the Ayalas, knew it was a tragic accident and despite feeling extremely sorry, couldn't and wouldn't co-sign on the Cerdas' theory of their son being alive.

Cindy even takes what I perceive as a dig at Betty in a blog post about a debut (probably a quinceañera) that Rogelio stood in:


"You stood in a debut in May of 1975 (and Betty allowed you to stand with her?-it's no wonder, though, since she married the guy I saw her with, David Ramos, just as soon as you disappeared, in his white car at Woodlawn park and she is now Betty J. Ramos) and it was one that I will never forget. The girl you stood with, Carolina, was very nice and she looked so pretty in her dress. There was a live band and the song "Dance with me" was popular and was played that night. To this day, when mom hears that song, it takes her back. I believe you took mom out to the dance floor to dance with her and she just loved it. Now, if you could just do that one more time, take her by the hand and lead her to the dance floor... it's never too late for a mother waiting to see her only son once again."

I take from that post that Cindy saw/sees Betty as being unfaithful because she went with another boy after the disappearance. My question: what else was Betty supposed to do? Never date or marry in the hopes that Rogelio would show up? Betty, in all likelihood, knew Rogelio died in a tragic undertow accident and had to go on with her life. Perhaps Cindy was upset because of the wedding apparently taking place not long (I have a feeling that the phrase "just as soon as you disappeared" is likely an exaggeration on Cindy's part) after the disappearance, but in reality, that's not her or her parents' business.


I did a little searching to see if I could find a record of when David Ramos and Betty got married. A couple by that name, both born in 1960, were married in Bexar County, Texas on November 22, 1978. If this is them--and I'm pretty sure it is-- they certainly didn't abruptly get married as a soon as Rogelio vanished as Cindy claims. Perhaps they began seeing each other right around the time of the disappearance, but the marriage came three years later.

I feel bad for the Cerda family, but I think this was a tragic accident and they can't or won't accept that Rogelio is gone and that no one was really at fault.

The family of Rogelio Cerda is requested to come forward and submit DNA. Currently, Texas is the only state where DNA is done at no expense. Take advantage, Cindy!!!

Bump...

Missing Since: June 29, 1975
Missing From: Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas
Classification: Endangered Missing
Nicknames/Aliases: Roger, Junior, Roger R. Cerda
Date of Birth: December 24, 1959
Age: 15 years old
Height: 5'9” - 5'10”
Weight: 160 - 180 pounds
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Scars/Marks: Rogelio has a scar on the bridge of his nose and a dark-colored birthmark on the back of his left ankle.
Medical Conditions: Rogelio suffers from sinus problems that previously required hospitalization.

Clothing/Jewelry Description: Cut-off jeans and a silver pinkie ring with the word "LOVE" on it.

Rogelio speaks Spanish as well as English.

Details of Disappearance (per The Charley Project)
Rogelio lived with his parents and younger sister in the 3500 block of west Woodlawn Avenue in San Antonio, Texas at the time of his June 29, 1975 disappearance. He disappeared while on a fishing trip on with several people: his girlfriend, Betty Jean Witherspoon; his girlfriend's friend, Anna Marie Ayala; Anna's parents; her uncle; her boyfriend, Nick Diaz; and Nick's sister.

They had told Rogelio's parents they were going to Corpus Christi, Texas, but went to Bay City instead. Rogelio didn't tell his parents about the change in plans, which is uncharacteristic of his behavior.

Betty Jean and Anna stated they went swimming with Rogelio off Matagorda Beach, two miles from the mouth of the Colorado River, when they all got swept about 300 yards offshore and caught in an undertow. The girls were rescued, but Rogelio disappeared and an extensive search of the water turned up no sign of him.

Rogelio had completed his freshman year at Central Catholic High School before his disappearance, he had a full-time job at Amigos Food Co. and he was learning how to drive.

Authorities theorized he drowned and his body was swept out to sea, but his family never believed that. He was a good swimmer, and his mother and sister think he could have run away or possibly suffered an attack of amnesia, and may still be alive.

Rogelio's sister stated their father had a drinking problem and he and Rogelio had a poor relationship, and suggests this could be a reason why he might choose to run away. Their father took his own life a year and a half after Rogelio went missing.

His sister also stated he was seen in the local area after his disappearance by people who knew him. The family also got strange calls on many occasions after his disappearance; sometimes they heard music at the end of the line, and on other occasions it sounded like someone was trying to talk. His mother and sister believes the calls were from Rogelio. Rogelio's case remains unsolved.

Investigating Agencies
Matagorda County Sheriff's Office (409) 245-5526
Lieutenant Douglas Pruitt (949) 245-5526
Agency Case Number: 75L219
Texas Department of Public Safety; Missing Persons Clearinghouse (512) 424-5074
Agency Case Number: M9610007
NCIC Case Number: M090322203
NCMEC Case Number: 600717

Dentals: Not Available
Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Not Available

Sources
NamUs
The Charley Project
The Charley Project Blog
The Doe Network
Additional Websleuths thread
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
Texas Department Of Public Safety
Texas Missing Person Directory
Blog About Rogelio Cerda

Refreshing the thread...

This article should have something about the UID, too bad I don't have a subscription.

Sheriff’s office investigates cold case from 1980

I hope someone in his family was able to provide DNA.

So I learned from the matagorda case that, yes, he was murdered, but his dental records matched up with someone named Allan - whoever they were not able to locate Allan.

Grungster said:

So I learned from the matagorda case that, yes, he was murdered, but his dental records matched up with someone named Allan - whoever they were not able to locate Allan.

Click to expand...

That's strange! How on earth are we supposed to find "Allan"?! LOL

I really don't think he's alive as his mother says he must have died that same day and generally people lost in the water are never found..
rest in peace