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Robert “Robbie” Thompson (1963-1977) - Find a...
Robert Robbie Thompson disappeared on the morning of Christmas Eve 1977. He left his home on East 94th Street in Los Angeles, California and never returned. His shoes were left behind at the house. On March 25th 2005, a girl attempting to retrieve a soccer ball found human remains after peering...
www.findagrave.com
Robert "Robbie" Thompson disappeared on the morning of Christmas Eve 1977. He left his home on East 94th Street in Los Angeles, California and never returned. His shoes were left behind at the house.
On March 25th 2005, a girl attempting to retrieve a soccer ball found human remains after peering down into the chimney of a building located at 89th and Main Street in Los Angeles. The bones were determined to be those of a young boy aged about 12-15.
A sketch artist drew a composite image of what the deceased looked like and a cousin of Robert Thompson noticed the similarities. She told the boy's mother, Clelia Thomspon who called authorities to suggest the match. A DNA test would reveal the remains did in fact belong to Robert on December 28th 2005.
It's still unclear how Robert ended up in the chimney or how exactly he died. There were no outward signs of trauma or injuries to suggest he was murdered. He was dressed in a white t-shirt, a pair of tan jeans, and wasn't wearing shoes. The building he was found in was only a few blocks away from his former home and was used a halfway house for drug addicts.
Police have long suspected that Thompson was murdered by Theodore "Theodoric" Van Smith, a former boyfriend of Robert's older sister. On February 23rd 1985, Theodore took Robert's younger brother to a dark alley where he raped him and threatened to kill him. He then threw the boy out of the car and ran him over. The child survived the attack and was rushed to the hospital.
The boy told his mother and police that Theodore admitted to killing Robert during the attack. He was arrested and pleaded guilty to five felony counts, including rape and attempted murder. Van Smith was sentenced to 30 years in state prison.
Before his conviction investigators questioned Theodore about Robert's disappearance and while he didn't outright confess, he hinted at the possibility he was involved and also mentioned his backyard. As a result, Theodore's backyard was dug up and searched but only animal bones were found.
Police still consider Van Smith as a likely suspect in the case but he now denies being involved in Robert's death. The case remains unsolved.
The Los Angeles Times 12/27/1977
Other Links:
The Boy in the Chimney
The examiner believed the youth got trapped. The detective suspected murder. An answer to part of the mystery left both in disbelief.
www.latimes.com
SOLVING A MYSTERY: BOY’S BONES FOUND IN CHIMNEY AFTER 28 YEARS
Investigators are trying to determine the cause of 14-year-old Robert Thompson’s death. Inside the chill of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, the detective and the forensic anthr…
www.dailypress.com
