NC NC - William Simon, 61, Fayetteville, 22 March 2008

hoppyfrog

Retired WS Staff
Joined
Jun 3, 2005
Messages
8,660
Reaction score
223
http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=289877

29 March 08

There is still no sign of William James Simon, the Spring Lake cab driver who has been missing for more than a week.

Lawmen have had no luck in locating Simon, a driver for L&M Taxi Service, or in figuring out where he might be, said Debbie Tanna, spokeswoman for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

The last known contact with the 61-year-old Simon was March 22, lawmen said. He talked with his boss just after midnight and reported that he was taking a passenger to Raleigh.

Simon had been reported missing by his roommate March 19, lawmen said.

Using Simon’s bank records, investigators determined that he was alive between 3 and 4 a.m. on March 22.

His cab was found later that day near a radio tower off Rosser Road in Spring Lake.

Anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Office at 323-1500.

pic
4b10329hwb-scaled.jpg
 
http://news14.com/content/top_stories/594969/family-still-searching-for-missing-man/Default.aspx

Family and friends of William Simon say they have not given up hope in finding the missing taxi driver.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is trying to discover the fate of Simon after his cab was found abandoned with his family bible in the front seat on March 21. Officials say there are no new leads in the case.

and

It’s been four weeks since authorities first found Simon’s cab abandoned. In all that time there has been no leads on his whereabouts. Friends are starting the fear the worst.

more at link
 
Still missing.

http://www.fayobserver.com/Articles/2009/10/19/942965

Published: 06:12 AM, Mon Oct 19, 2009
No word on missing cab driver
By Nancy McCleary
Staff writer

What happened to cab driver William James Simon?

That's the question family, friends and investigators have been asking since the 61-year-old Simon vanished in March 2008.

The case began as a missing person but has been reclassified as a homicide investigation, according to investigators.

. . .
 
I came across this man tonight while browsing around. William James Simon has been missing since March 2008. The thing that caught my eye for this case is that LE has not recieved one and I will repeat not one single tip on this mans case.
I will post the newest article I found which was posted today and will follow with what I can find for him. Maybe we can help !


***************************************************************************************

Published: 05:13 AM, Sat Dec 26, 2009
Detective hopes tip will solve case of missing cab driver


Cumberland County homicide detectives began investigating the disappearance of William James Simon in March 2008.

But nearly two years later, they have yet to receive a tip in the case of the missing taxicab driver.

The case is one of a handful of unsolved murder investigations over the last five years for county detectives.

Phone lines operated by CrimeStoppers and individual agencies are typically a boon to investigators. Tips that lead to an arrest can earn callers up to $1,000, in addition to any other reward that is offered.

Lt. Charlie Disponzio, head of the sheriff's homicide team, has always stressed the importance of "shoe leather" detective work. But he also acknowledges the benefits that a tips line can provide.

"Oh, they're great. We do receive quite a bit of information through the tip lines," said Disponzio. "However, in this case, we haven't received any."

Disponzio doesn't keep track of the number of tips that come in for cases, but he said having none was unusual for a murder investigation, especially one that has received the attention that Simon's case has received.

The last time anyone heard from Simon was just after midnight March 22, 2008.

That's when Simon, a 61-year-old driver for L&M Taxi Service, told his boss that he was taking a passenger to Raleigh.

The red cab Simon drove was found later that day in Spring Lake, but the driver was missing. There has been no activity on Simon's bank account since earlier that morning.

Disponzio said investigators are certain Simon wasn't the type of person to just disappear.

He said Simon was a dedicated worker and a devoted grandfather.

"William Simon was a working guy. There's nothing in his history to make you think he would up and disappear," Disponzio said. "His life ended. All signs of life ended in March of '08."

Detectives are investigating the case as a homicide, even though no body was ever found.

The lack of information is frustrating, Disponzio said.

Two persons of interest were identified within days of Simon's disappearance, he said, but without a body, investigators are limited.

"At this point, we have a very circumstantial case," Disponzio said. "How do you prove murder if you don't have a body?"

Lawmen have searched the woods in and around Fort Bragg and Spring Lake, without success.

http://www.fayobserver.com/Articles/2009/12/26/962778
 
Search for Cabbie Becomes Homicide Investigation
Posted: Mar 24, 2008
Updated: Mar 24, 2008


Fayetteville, N.C. — Cumberland County authorities on Monday classified the search for a cab driver missing since last week as a homicide investigation.

William James Simon, 61, of 1598 Gillespie St. in Fayetteville, was reported missing Thursday by his roommate, but Simon's boss at L&M Taxi Service said he was working late that night.

Simon picked up a fare in Fayetteville around midnight and was headed to Raleigh, his boss said.

A passerby on Friday found his taxi abandoned near a radio tower off Rosser Street in Spring Lake. Simon's Bible was on the front seat.

Acquaintances called Simon very reliable, honest and good-natured. He started driving a cab a couple of months ago after getting laid off from a longtime job.

"Willie is a good, kind-hearted person. If he can do anything to help you, he will," said his estranged wife, Elizabeth Simon.

The Simons have been married for 24 years, and Elizabeth Simon said they remain friends despite their separation. William Simon stopped by the diner where she works last Thursday afternoon, she said.

Cumberland County authorities said people with William Simon's character usually don't run off on their own without telling someone, which leads investigators to suspect foul play.

http://www.ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/2621274/
 
Cab Driver Missing in Fayetteville
Updated: Apr 01, 2008 8:25 PM MDT


Simon is a cab driver for L&M Taxi Service.

Friday evening, his vehicle was found abandoned by a passerby, near a radio tower.

Simon is described as a black male, 6'2" tall, and weighs approximately 200 pounds.

He is balding, with grey hair, and has scars on the right side of his stomach.

If you have any information about Simon, please call the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office at, 910-323-1500

http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=8057762&nav=2gQc
 
Updated 03/24/2008 04:33 PM
Search is on for missing taxi driver


William James Simon FAYETTEVILLE -- Cumberland County deputies are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing taxi cab driver.

Detectives are looking for William James Simon, 61, who was reported missing after his cab was found abandoned in Spring Lake.

Elizabeth Simon says even though they are separated, William Simon talked with his wife everyday and would visit her after work at the Biscuit Kitchen. "He came on my job at 12:30 Thursday, I talked to him and he said ‘I'll see you later’. I got a call on Saturday saying he was missing."

At his home, his dog Ranger stands guard waiting for Simon to return home. The last anyone heard from him was when he called his boss Thursday night to say he was taking a passenger to Raleigh. He was reported missing after his taxi cab was found Friday evening
His roommate, Yolanda Murphy, doesn't understand how this could have happened to such a nice man. "Me being here shows how generous he was, but he was like that with pretty much everybody."

The owner of L&M taxi service said somebody called him Friday saying they had seen Simon's cab abandoned along Rosser Road near a radio tower in Spring Lake. Simon’s family Bible was in the front seat.

Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Debbie Tanna said they are treating his disappearance as suspicious, "His family seems to think that had he left on his own accord [because] he would have taken his Bible

http://news14.com/charlotte-news-104-content/headlines/594160/search-is-on-for-missing-taxi-driver/
 
Missing Cab Driver Case Now A Homicide Investigation
Monday, Mar 24, 2008 - 10:44 PM


FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.--- The disappearance of a Fayetteville cab driver has now turned into a homicide investigation.

The Cumberland County Sheriff's office says 61-year-old William Simon was reported missing by a roommate Wednesday, and two days later his abandoned cab was found in a town adjoining Fayetteville.

Originally, it was being handled as a missing person’s case, but late Monday afternoon, the Cumberland County Sheriff announced the case has been taken over by the homicide unit.

Investigators say there are a lot of unanswered questions about the case, including a mysterious discrepancy about when the cab driver was last seen.

His roommate said Simon disappeared last Wednesday, but his boss said he spoke with Simon by phone two days later. Investigators are trying to sort it all out.

Meanwhile, neighbors say the missing man was the kind of person who didn't have an enemy in the world.

“He was a big old teddy bear,” said neighbor Rosemarie Morales. “Anytime anybody needed a place to stay, he'd let them crash there. Or if they needed something, he'd be there for him.”

Sheriff’s deputies say they first heard about the case on March 19.

“We got a report on Wednesday from his roommate that he had not come from work, which was highly unusual for him because he was so dependable,” said Sherriff’s spokeswoman Debbie Tanner.

Deputies began looking into the case right away, but two days later, his boss at LM Taxi claimed Simon called him to say he was taking a fare from Fayetteville to Raleigh. But the owner of the four-man taxi company says Simon never returned from the Raleigh job.

“He was concerned about where he was because he hasn't heard from him since then,” Tanner said.

On Friday night, a passerby found William Simon's cab on Rosser Road, a dead-end street in nearby Spring Lake. Inside the cab, there was evidence that lead investigators to believe that Simon did not leave his cab willingly.

“His family and friends tell us he's very religious. And the only thing inside his cab … was his Bible. It was left on the front seat.”

http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn...3-24-0025.html
 
Police: Missing Cab Driver Was Alive Friday Morning

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2008 - 08:56 PM Updated: 08:25 AM



FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Police said bank records from a missing cab driver show he was alive between the hours of 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Friday.

Cumberland County Sheriff’s Detectives continue to search for 61-year old William James Simon, a Fayetteville cab driver who has been missing since last week.

Simon, of 1593 Gillespie Street, was reported missing by his roommate on Wednesday when he failed to return home from work. Simon is a cab driver for L&M Taxi Service. His vehicle was found Friday evening by a passerby, near a radio tower located off Rosser Street in Spring Lake.

Simon was apparently running fares from nightclubs along Bragg Boulevard when he was last seen. Investigators said Tuesday bank records demonstrate he was probably alive early Friday morning. The missing persons investigation was turned over to the homicide unit Monday.

Police are looking for anyone with information about Simon, and whether his cab was seen after 4 a.m. Friday. The vehicle is a red, Ford Crown Victoria and has the L&M Taxi Service logo on the driver and passenger side doors.

http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn...3-25-0027.html
 
Updated 04/17/2008 07:34 AM
Family still searching for missing man


CUMBERLAND COUNTY -- Family and friends of William Simon say they have not given up hope in finding the missing taxi driver.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is trying to discover the fate of Simon after his cab was found abandoned with his family bible in the front seat on March 21. Officials say there are no new leads in the case.

"I believe that he is going to be found, but I know I got to prepare myself for whatever comes up, I’ve got to be able to take it,” said estranged wife Elizabeth. “Right now, in my heart, I say he is alive somewhere."

Donald Blue has known Simon for more than 40 years. He says the missing man has been a part of his family ever since then, even serving as a pall bearer for the funeral of Blue’s father. He couldn’t believe the news when he first heard Simon was missing.



The man's taxi cab was found abandoned off the road. "I went out [to the location where the cab was found] and looked around and stuff,” said Blue. “Everyone is really concerned … just hope they keep working to find out what happened."

It’s been four weeks since authorities first found Simon’s cab abandoned. In all that time there has been no leads on his whereabouts. Friends are starting the fear the worst.

http://news14.com/charlotte-news-10...94969/family-still-searching-for-missing-man/
 
William Simon: No Body, No Closure
By NC Wanted Staff

Posted: Apr 15, 2008
Updated: Nov. 20, 2009


CUMBERLAND COUNTY: — Cumberland County detectives have found several good leads since they began searching for William James Simon last year. What they haven’t found is his body.

Simon, 61, disappeared March 19, 2008 and hasn’t been heard from or seen since.

He’s a good person, said Lt. Charlie Disponzio, a hard worker with no criminal history or known drug problems who did what he should. He was a family guy who never went long without talking to his grandchildren or his estranged wife, Elizabeth Simon.

“We feel confident he has not disappeared of his own free will,” Lt. Disponzio said. “There are grandchildren who want to see their granddad again.”

A few days a week, Simon drove a taxicab, which was discovered near a radio tower off Rosser Street in Spring Lake two days later. Other than his Bible, left in the front seat, there was no sign of Simon. Within three days, county authorities announced they were treating the case as a homicide investigation.

The search for Simon has focused on the Spring Lake area, and Lt. Disponzio said he is certain someone in that area saw Simon or a passenger in the cab that morning. He is urging that person to come forward.

“Little by little, we are establishing what we think are the last hours of this cab driver’s life,” he said, adding investigators hope the public will help them do that. “We are looking for anyone who saw him in Spring Lake.”

http://www.ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/story/2740930/
 
bumping for William.

I'm unable to find any media updates. He is still missing.

I really wonder what was found with the bank records. A purchase? Using an ATM?

why hasn't there been any information if survellience video was available for those early morning bank records?

Praying for answers for Williams case.
He sounds like such a nice man. His family and friends deserve answers.
 
  • simon_william.jpg
  • william_james_simon_2.jpg
  • william_james_simon_3.jpg
  • william_james_simon_4.jpg
  • william_james_simon_7.jpg
Simon, circa 2008; Simon's cab
  • Missing Since 03/21/2008
  • Missing From Fayetteville, North Carolina
  • Classification Endangered Missing
  • Sex Male
  • Race Black
  • Date of Birth 12/09/1947 (75)
  • Age 60 years old
  • Height and Weight 6'2, 200 pounds

  • Associated Vehicle(s) Red Ford Crown Victoria with the L&M Taxi Service logo on the doors (accounted for)

  • Distinguishing Characteristics African-American male. Gray hair, brown eyes. Simon has scars on the right side of his abdomen. He has a receding hairline and wears eyeglasses. His nickname is Willie.

Details of Disappearance​

Simon's roommate reported him missing on March 19, 2008, but he was last seen two days later was last seen in Fayetteville, North Carolina. At 12:30 p.m. on March 20, he visited his wife at work. They were separated, but still talked every day.

That night, Simon, a cabdriver for L&M Taxi Service, called his boss and said he was taking a passenger to Raleigh, North Carolina. Bank records indicate he was still alive between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. the next day, Friday, March 21. This was the last sign of him. He has never been heard from again.

Simon's cab, a red Ford Crown Victoria with the L&M Taxi Service logo on the doors, was found abandoned Friday evening near a radio tower off Rosser Street in Spring Lake, a town near Fayetteville.

His family Bible was on the front seat of the cab. His loved ones stated he's very religious and would have taken the Bible with him if he'd left of his own accord. A photograph of Simon's cab is posted with this case summary.

Simon lived in a mobile home in the 1500 block of Gillespie Street at the time of his disappearance. He is the oldest of twelve children and left behind his wife, one son, two grandchildren and three dogs. He is described as a friendly, generous and dependable man with no enemies, and he had no criminal history or substance abuse problems.

oul play is suspected in his disappearance, which remains unsolved.

Investigating Agency​

  • Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office 910-323-1500

Source Information​

Updated 3 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated November 14, 2009; date of birth added.
 

Members online

Online statistics

Members online
186
Guests online
2,048
Total visitors
2,234

Forum statistics

Threads
589,952
Messages
17,928,140
Members
228,015
Latest member
Amberraff
Back
Top