NY NY - David Thies, 21, Manhattan, 13 Dec 1982

[MadMcGoo]

David Thies

David, various images of the same photograph​

Case Classification: Missing
Date of Last Contact: December 13, 1982
Missing From: Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Age: 19 years old
Race / Ethnicity: White / Caucasian
Sex: Male
Height: 5’11″ (71 inches)
Weight: 140 - 145 lbs.
Hair Color: Blond; shoulder-length, curly, often uncombed
Facial Hair: He had a mustache and beard.
Eye Color: Blue
Distinguishing Marks/Features: His left ear is pierced and he has a scar on the right side of his nose. He has a light complexion and stooped posture.
Clothing & Personal Items: A dark brown down jacket, a light blue short-sleeved knit shirt, white painter’s pants, and white sneakers with a green stripe.

Details of Disappearance
David was last seen outside of his parents’ apartment in Manhattan at approximately 4:00 p.m. on December 13, 1982. He went into the hallway to smoke a cigarette and never returned. His mother, Karin DiGia, reports that it was her husband’s, Ralph DiGia‘s, birthday and David had gone out earlier to buy him a gift and was going to making a salad or something for dinner that day.

According to newspaper articles and statements that were given by his mother, David was depressed and behaving strangely prior to his disappearance. He would flip through the television channels of news reports obsessively and his mother believes that he might have felt threatened by something or someone he saw. Authorities at the time were concerned because psychiatric social workers said David had suicidal tendencies.

The DiGias offered a $25,000 reward for information about David’s whereabouts and received multiple tips from people claiming David was in a cult group or to have seen him selling junk on the streets of California. None of the claims or sightings were substantiated, however.

*I listed information found in media sources closest to the time David disappeared. Some sources list his date of disappearance as December 13, 1984, his hair color as dark brown, and him last being seen wearing green striped socks and white sneakers as opposed to white sneakers with a green strip on them.

Investigating Agencies
New York City Police Department, Missing Persons Squad
(212) 694-7781 or (646) 610-6914
New York State Police, Michael Catrine: 1 (800) 445-2500

Agency Case Number: KNMP15444
NCIC Case Number: M314579350

Dental Records: Available
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown

Sources

• MP10391 NamUs
• 74DMNY The Doe Network
• The Charley Project
• New York Magazine – Without A Trace (March 31, 1997)
• Daily News (newspaper archives)

 

[MadMcGoo]

The information on David is all over the place. I'd be interested in seeing actual police/missing person reports on him. I found another article from May 1983 where his mother is quoted as saying he received death threats prior to his disappearance and that she thought he was abducted into a religious cult. Not sure what to think...
19 May 1983 The Sentinel - Carlisle, Pennsylvania

 

[MadMcGoo]

Refreshing for David...

 

[Savemecastiel]

Bumping

 

[MadMcGoo]

For some reason David’s disappearance really gets to me. I hope he’s somewhere living his best life.

 

[madamx]

He was 21 .. he must of had friends no.? Someone that could open up a bit more about him and his personality or places he would frequent.
Then the Death threats.. by whom and why?
And lastly Cult activity.. like what type of cult? So many questions.

 

[madamx]

Bumping for David

 

[MadMcGoo]

Ugh. Still gets to me. Where are you David??

 

[madamx]

New Jersey State Police - Unidentified Persons - Monmouth County


Unidentified Deceased White Male
Case Information
On May 23, 1983, the victim was found floating 200 yards northeast of the Raritan Bay Channel Lighted Bay Buoy number 6 in Middletown Township, Monmouth County, NJ.

NIC # CASE #
U570017023 C0383171

Date Body Found Estimated Date of Death
May 23, 1983 May 13, 1983
Biological Profile
Estimated Year of Birth
1933 - 1953
Sex Male
Race Caucasian
Height 5'11" - 6'0"
Weight 145 - 155 lbs.
Hair Brownish-Black
Eyes Unknown

Scars, Marks and Tattoos None
Clothing Victim was wearing a tan t-shirt with a beach scene and palm trees imprinted on the front, partially faded "Levi" jeans with pockets empty except for the right front pocket which had a white hankerchief with the letter "S" in the corner, one pair of grey nylon socks, and one pair of brown laced boots (size 10 ½).

 

[madamx]

I wonder if this is true day that David went missing … I learned from the Valerie Smith case, that in NYC you had to wait 48 hrs to report an adult missing.

 

[Vampirella]

The information on David is all over the place. I'd be interested in seeing actual police/missing person reports on him. I found another article from May 1983 where his mother is quoted as saying he received death threats prior to his disappearance and that she thought he was abducted into a religious cult. Not sure what to think...
19 May 1983 The Sentinel - Carlisle, Pennsylvania
View attachment 240691

Thanks for putting Dave's face out there.

 

[MadMcGoo]

Thanks for putting Dave's face out there.

Welcome to Websleuths! David holds a special place in my heart.

 

[Vampirella]

New Jersey State Police - Unidentified Persons - Monmouth County


Unidentified Deceased White Male
Case Information
On May 23, 1983, the victim was found floating 200 yards northeast of the Raritan Bay Channel Lighted Bay Buoy number 6 in Middletown Township, Monmouth County, NJ.

NIC # CASE #
U570017023 C0383171

Date Body Found Estimated Date of Death
May 23, 1983 May 13, 1983
Biological Profile
Estimated Year of Birth
1933 - 1953
Sex Male
Race Caucasian
Height 5'11" - 6'0"
Weight 145 - 155 lbs.
Hair Brownish-Black
Eyes Unknown

Scars, Marks and Tattoos None
Clothing Victim was wearing a tan t-shirt with a beach scene and palm trees imprinted on the front, partially faded "Levi" jeans with pockets empty except for the right front pocket which had a white hankerchief with the letter "S" in the corner, one pair of grey nylon socks, and one pair of brown laced boots (size 10 ½).

This isn't him. Dave had beautiful blue/grey eyes with long dark blonde hair. The age doesn't match either.

 

[madamx]

1718UMUT - Unidentified Male

Date of Discovery: February 12, 1983
Location of Discovery: Moab, Grand County, Utah
Estimated Date of Death: Approximately two months prior to discovery
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Partial remains with soft tissues
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound to the back of the head

Physical Description

Estimated Age: 18-25 years old
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5'5" to 5'9"
Weight: 132-152 lbs.

Hair Color: Light brown, slightly curled with blond eyelashes, eyebrows and beard stubble.
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown.

Identifiers
Dentals: X-rays are available. Teeth #1,16,17 and 32 impacted. All
Fingerprints: Available. RT: AA TT 07 PM PM; LT: AA 01 07 10 13.
DNA: mtDNA and nucDNA available with UNT (ref #11-1131.1).

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing:
Blue jeans (nothing in the pockets),
white socks,
white baseball cap,
and a
Van Hussen light blue or lavender colored shirt.
No shoes were found.

Jewelry: Unknown.
Additional Personal Items: Partial pack of Camel brand cigarettes.

Circumstances of Discovery
A rancher hiking in the Arches National Park found the decedent's remains.


1718UMUT

 

[MadMcGoo]

1718UMUT - Unidentified Male

Date of Discovery: February 12, 1983
Location of Discovery: Moab, Grand County, Utah
Estimated Date of Death: Approximately two months prior to discovery
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Partial remains with soft tissues
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound to the back of the head

Physical Description

Estimated Age: 18-25 years old
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5'5" to 5'9"
Weight: 132-152 lbs.

Hair Color: Light brown, slightly curled with blond eyelashes, eyebrows and beard stubble.
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown.

Identifiers
Dentals: X-rays are available. Teeth #1,16,17 and 32 impacted. All
Fingerprints: Available. RT: AA TT 07 PM PM; LT: AA 01 07 10 13.
DNA: mtDNA and nucDNA available with UNT (ref #11-1131.1).

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing:
Blue jeans (nothing in the pockets),
white socks,
white baseball cap,
and a
Van Hussen light blue or lavender colored shirt.
No shoes were found.

Jewelry: Unknown.
Additional Personal Items: Partial pack of Camel brand cigarettes.

Circumstances of Discovery
A rancher hiking in the Arches National Park found the decedent's remains.


1718UMUT

I wish there were a recon to compare to.

 

[madamx]

2577UMOR - Unidentified Male

Date of Discovery: September 9, 1983
Location of Discovery: Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
Estimated Date of Death: Months prior
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction
Cause of Death: Unknown

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 18-40 years old
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 140-160 lbs.
Hair Color: Light brown, graying.
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Body hair is reddish brown and eyebrows are blond.

Identifiers
Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Not available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Tan Nordstrom pants (waist 31"), gray-brown long-sleeved shirt (size 15 to 15 1/2), and a brown sock on the left foot. No shoes were recovered.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery
The victim's body was found floating in the Willamette River near Waterfront Park.


2577UMOR

 

[madamx]

I wish there were a recon to compare to.

i know seems to be the ones Iam finding don’t have recons ugh!

 

[madamx]

*WARNING: Postmortem photo at link*

This guy actually has a photo and to me he looks similar to David.

Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP8342Male, White / Caucasian
Date Body FoundSeptember 3, 2010
Location Found


Demographics
SexMale
Race / EthnicityWhite / Caucasian
Possible First Name --
Possible Middle Name--
Possible Last Name--
Nickname/Alias--

Estimated Age GroupAdult - Pre 90
Estimated Age Range (Years)55-90
Estimated Year of Death2010
Estimated PMIHours

Height5' 10"(70 inches) , Measured
Weight174 lbs, Measured

Circumstances
TypeUnidentified Deceased
Date Body FoundSeptember 3, 2010
NamUs Case CreatedJanuary 4, 2011
ME/C QA ReviewedJanuary 5, 2011

Location Found Map
LocationNew York, New York
CountyNew York County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped)40.75685, -73.97249
Found On Tribal Land--


Circumstances of Recovery

The decedent is a homeless man well known in the community. He usually sleeps on the bench in the front of the above address. Decedent was found dead by EMS under bench. Passerby stated that the decedent's name is "Tony."


Details of Recovery


Inventory of RemainsAll parts recovered
Condition of RemainsRecognizable face

Physical Description
Hair ColorBrown

Head Hair DescriptionBrown and graying, ~17" in length and pulled back into ponytail. Balding on the back of the head.

Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair DescriptionGray mustache and beard.

Left Eye ColorGray
Right Eye ColorGray

Eye DescriptionGray/brown irides.
Distinctive Physical Features



Item
Description

Piercing
white metal nipple ring with a green bead in the left nipple.
There is a single cosmetic piercing in the right ear lobe and
a possible healing pierce mark in the left ear lobe.


Clothing and Accessories
Item
Description

Clothing
The body is clad in a red T-shirt (printed with "TRAINER"),
Black Levi jeans (40 x 32")
, black belt.
On the Body

Footwear
Gray Nike tennis shoes (US mens size 11).
On the Body

Jewelry
White metal nipple ring with a green bead in the left nipple.
On the Body


The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

 

[madamx]

Oh forgot..
***ABOVE LINK HAS POSTMORTEM***

 

[Richard]

David Thies

Thies, circa 1984

• Missing Since 12/13/1982
• Missing From Manhattan, New York
• Classification Missing
• Sex Male
• Race White
• Age 21 years old
• Height and Weight 5'11, 145 pounds
• Clothing/Jewelry Description A brown jacket, a blue shirt, white pants, green-striped socks and white sneakers.
• Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Dark brown hair, blue/gray eyes. Thies had a mustache and beard at the time of his 1984 disappearance. His left ear is pierced and he has a scar on the right side of his nose.

Details of Disappearance

Thies was last seen in the New York City borough of Manhattan on December 13, 1982. He has never been heard from again. Few details are available in his case. Some agencies state he disappeared on December 13, 1984.

Investigating Agency

• New York Police Department 646-610-6914

Source Information

• New York Police Department
• New York State Police
• David Thies – The Charley Project