Left and Center: Myron circa, 1988
Right: Age Progressed to age 41
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: July 27, 1988
Missing From: Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: October 1, 1974
Age: 13 years old
Height and Weight: 5’5″ and 110 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: African American Male, Black hair, Brown eyes, Myron has a half inch scar on the right side of his head, Myron is supposed to wear eyeglasses for reading but he did not have them on him when he disappeared
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A red/white striped shirt, white shorts, with a blue print, and a pair of white sneakers
NCMEC Number: 601924
Details of Disappearance
Myron Traylor was last seen as he walked to his grandparents house in Phoenix, Arizona on July 27th 1988. He was accompanied by his mother at the time. His grandparents house was located on east Pecan Road.
Myron was said to have stoped and gone to a restaurant known as “OK Fish-N-Chips” which was located on 16th Street and Southern Avenue. He went there to purchase a soft drink. He was last seen at approximately 6:00 pm after he purchased the drink. He was standing outside of the stand.
At the time, Myron was carrying a bundle of dirty laundry in a plastic bag. He was bringing the bundle to his grandparents home to wash it and also had plans of calling his brother who was in California at the time staying with a relative. Myron’s residence which was located near 16th Street and Nancy Lane did not have a telephone but his grandparents did.
Myron disappeared and was never seen or heard from again. Myron wouldn’t stay out for long and it was uncharacteristic of him to leave without telling anybody. His biological father was in prison at the time of his disappearance and his mother was quickly ruled out as a suspect in his disappearance.
Gettus Leroy Mintz is the only suspect in Myron’s disappearance. Gettus was Myron’s mother’s boyfriend at the time. He was involved with drugs at the time and it’s possible that Myron confronted him for his lifestyle and murdered shortly after this. Mintz is one of the 4 reported witnesses who saw Myron at the restaurant as he purchased the soft drink.
Myron’s aunt stated that Mintz at one pint had a sling on his arm soon after Myron’s disappearance and that he claimed it was an injury that resulted from a dog biting him. In 2009, Mintz killed his girlfriend and stabbed her mother in Peoria, Arizona. He was convicted of 2nd degree murder and aggravated assault and was sentenced to a total of 42 years in prison.
Mintz refuses to be interviewed about Myron’s disappearance. In 1991, authorities received a tip that Myron was killed and buried on a property located near 24th Street and Jones Avenue in Phoenix. The location in question was searched but Myron’s remains were not recovered. Authorities theorize that Myron was murdered and buried near the location he was last seen in.
The time of his disappearance, Myron finished the 6th grade at Sierra Vista Elementary School. He liked to draw and read and was not involved in anything illegal when he went missing. He regularly attended services at Southminster Presbyterian Church on 19th Street near Broadway and also went to Sunday school. He was also a member of the church choir and the Youth group.
Myron’s case remains unsolved and in 2002 his mother passed away. His case remains classified as a non family abduction.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Phoenix Police Department 602-495-5394
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children