Left: William circa, 1973
Right: Age Progressed to age 56
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: April 16, 1973
Missing From: Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: December 10, 1955
Age: 17 years old
Height and Weight: 5’9″ and 160 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: African American Male, Black hair, Brown eyes, William has a burn scar on his right leg and skin graft scars on each of his thighs
NCMEC Number: 1189044
Details of Disappearance
William was last seen in Miami, Florida on April 16th 1973. He was last seen with his father, William Henry Forshee Sr., and two other men, Minni “Benny” Gaskins and DeWitt Lewis. They all reportedly went on a fishing trip in an 18 foot outboard boat and were on an overnight trip to Marco Island. The men and William never returned to shore and were never seen or heard from again.
Police discovered the boat trailer at Captains Landing Marina in the 1000 block of Bald Eagle Drive on Marco Island. They also found the truck the men used which was a green colored 1969 Ford F100 with Florida State license plates. The boat was never located and none of the missing passengers have ever been found.
Investigators are unsure if the men met with a catastrophe out on the water. It should be noted that another man named Robert Stone also disappeared during the same time period from Fort Myers, Florida. It’s unclear if his boat, a 14 foot vessel, was ever found.
Williams disappearance remains unsolved. Foul play is suspected in the case. He and the men he was traveling with have never been located.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Miami-Dade Police Department 305-418-7284
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children