Above: David circa, 1968
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: May 3, 1968
Missing From: Issaquah, King County, Washington
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: January 26, 1960
Age: 8 years old
Height and Weight: 4’0″ and 50 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Male, Brown hair, Blue eyes
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A green/brown plaid shirt, a pair of jeans, and high top shoes
NCMEC Number: 1150788
Details of Disappearance
David was last seen in Issaquah, Washington on May 3rd 1968. After he attended school that day, he took the bus back to his family’s residence which was located on in the 14000 block of 240 Ave. Southeast Tiger Mountain Road. Afterwards, he left to go to a friends home in the neighborhood to play. He was told to be home by 5:00 pm.
David called his mother from his friends home and asked if he could stay longer but she said he couldn’t. She told him to come home. David left his friends home and started walking on a local trail which he used as a shortcut to get back home. David never arrived back home and was never seen again.
When David hadn’t returned within 15 minutes, his mother called the friends home to find out why he wasn’t at home yet. She realized he was no longer at the home and she called the police to report him missing. Over 1,000 people with the help of dogs searched for David but despite the extensive searches, no trace of David was ever found.
Investigators initially believed that David got into some type of a catastrophe and considered the possibility that he fell down an old coal mine or was attacked by a wild animal; possibly a cougar or beat and dragged off. Investigators no longer believe this is what caused his disappearance and now suspect David was abducted.
In 2009, investigators reopened the investigation into David’s disappearance and identified a person of interest in the case. The person was identified as a former neighbor of David and his family. The man was said to be a Vietnam veteran and he claimed he helped search for the boy when he first disappeared in 1968.
The man was approximately 20 years of age in 1968. Authorities believe the man was probably the last person who saw David alive on the day of his disappearance. Tracker dogs who searched for David traced his scent to the mans residence. The man does not have a convincing alibi and he has failed many polygraph exams in relation to the case. He also felt “nervous and stressed” in the interrogation.
The man now lives in Lewis County, Washington and is in his 70s. He continues to maintain his innocence in the case. In 2011, during a police interrogation, he failed another polygraph exam given to him by police and his cell phone was taken to be examined. It’s unknown if anything was found during the search.
Investigators believe David’s case is solvable and hope to recover him. His parents were still alive when the case was reopened in 2009 and his sister who was born after his disappearance has publicly commented on the case. She does not believe he’s alive and hopes to possibly recover his remains.
David was a third grade student at Clark Elementary School in 1968 and was described as a good student. He was one of 6 siblings and was the second oldest child in his family. David’s case remains unsolved and foul play is suspected.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
King County Sheriffs Office 206-296-0970
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children