Jason Edward Thornton Townsend

Left and Center: Jason circa, 1980

Right: Age Progressed to age 34


Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: May 20, 1980

Missing From: Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida

Classification: Non-Family Abduction

Date Of Birth: October 15, 1976

Age: 3 years old

Height and Weight: 3’0″ and 50 pounds

Distinguishing Characteristics: African American Male, Black hair, Brown eyes, Jason’s hair was in the form of an Afro at the time of his 1980 disappearance

Clothing/Jewelry Description: A green pullover shirt, blue shorts and brown sandals

NCMEC Number: 601922


Details of Disappearance

Jason Townsend was last seen in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on May 20th 1980. Jason along with his siblings were in the care of their mother, Augusta Townsend Walker’s, boyfriend, Roscoe Pierce, as she had to work the whole day.

When Augusta returned home from work that night, Jason was not at the residence. Pierce stated that Jason had wandered away while they were at a convenience store near their home. Walker called authorities afterwards to report Jason as missing. Some reports indicate that Pierce was seen with Jason in Lauderhill later in the day.

Pierce started to act suspicious within a day of Jason’s disappearance and Walker caught onto this. She noted that Pierce removed a sheet of blue plastic and two duffel bags from the apartment. When she attempted to stop him from leaving, he still went.

Her suspicions were confirmed after she reported Jason’s disappearance to authorities, they were able to pull Pierces records and found that he was a wanted fugitive from Syracuse, New York where he had sexually abused a young female. He allegedly fled the state earlier.

While Pierce lived in Florida, he used an alias known as “Emerson Blatch” and Augusta knew him by that name. Pierce was located on May 22nd 1980, 2 days after Jason’s disappearance, and when authorities attempted to question him, he went for an officers gun and was shot.

He was questioned regarding Jason’s current whereabouts but he refused to divulge Jason’s location before dying later in the day from his injuries. Jason was never seen or located afterwards.

Jason remains missing and has never been located. His case remains open and unsolved. Foul play is suspected.


Investigating Agency

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Broward County Sheriffs Office 954-480-4300


Source Information

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

The Charley Project

The Doe Network

NamUs