WI WI - Robert Christian, 18, Madison, 16 Sept 1977

[Kitty7766]

I am glad to see that Robert's case is still getting some recognition. I did not personally know him -- I was only 11 years old at the time of his disappearance -- but my older brother went to school with him. He and Bob were in quite a few classes together and both graduated from Lafollette High School in 1977. This is such an incredibly disturbing case and much of the information posted about him on various sites is incorrect or misleading, especially in regards to his sister's murder (not 'three years later,' but actually in March 1983). About the day of Bob's disappearance...One thing in particular that bothers me was when sighted by the woman visiting her friend, she said she spoke with the young man and also got his license plate number which clearly did match the vehicle he was driving. However, I'm curious to know if the physical description matched Bob's and that it wasn't actually someone completely different who had stolen the car. Another troubling question: Why? If that young man was actually Bob, what was he doing there in that driveway when he knew the area so well? It makes me wonder if he was under duress from someone that had accosted him. I'm not going to speculate that he 'was up to no good' as there's no evidence whatsoever that he was anything but a decent, law-abiding young man. I personally think there is every reason to believe that it was a case of 'wrong place, wrong time,' but unless someone is prepared to come forward with information after all these years, I wonder if we will ever learn what really happened. Was his friend, Randy, interviewed? We've never been able to find out what he said about Bob's disappearance. Lastly, where did the 'tip' about the tires/hubcaps come from? An anonymous phone call to police?

 

[Keiri]

I am glad to see that Robert's case is still getting some recognition. I did not personally know him -- I was only 11 years old at the time of his disappearance -- but my older brother went to school with him. He and Bob were in quite a few classes together and both graduated from Lafollette High School in 1977. This is such an incredibly disturbing case and much of the information posted about him on various sites is incorrect or misleading, especially in regards to his sister's murder (not 'three years later,' but actually in March 1983). About the day of Bob's disappearance...One thing in particular that bothers me was when sighted by the woman visiting her friend, she said she spoke with the young man and also got his license plate number which clearly did match the vehicle he was driving. However, I'm curious to know if the physical description matched Bob's and that it wasn't actually someone completely different who had stolen the car. Another troubling question: Why? If that young man was actually Bob, what was he doing there in that driveway when he knew the area so well? It makes me wonder if he was under duress from someone that had accosted him. I'm not going to speculate that he 'was up to no good' as there's no evidence whatsoever that he was anything but a decent, law-abiding young man. I personally think there is every reason to believe that it was a case of 'wrong place, wrong time,' but unless someone is prepared to come forward with information after all these years, I wonder if we will ever learn what really happened. Was his friend, Randy, interviewed? We've never been able to find out what he said about Bob's disappearance. Lastly, where did the 'tip' about the tires/hubcaps come from? An anonymous phone call to police?

In all the articles I’ve read I’ve seen no explanation about the tip came from. I don’t know if it’s possible for me to be allowed to see the case file since it’s technically still open, but I live in Madison and it wouldn’t be too far.

 

[Sweetluv]

Also, I never heard before about the woman ,visiting her friend ,getting the cars license plate number, and it not matching up to the vehicle..
Then whose name came up registered to that plate?

 

[Keiri]

Also, I never heard before about the woman visiting her friend getting the cars license plate number, and it not matching up to the vehicle..
Then whose name came up registered to that plate?

Yeah everything I read said it matched

 

[Kitty7766]

Also, I never heard before about the woman ,visiting her friend ,getting the cars license plate number, and it not matching up to the vehicle..
Then whose name came up registered to that plate?

I know the plate number matched Bob's vehicle -- definitely his -- but the physical description of the young man... someone else driving the car? (I've always wondered if it was possible that was not Bob, or was it someone that forced him to drive there).

 

[Keiri]

I know the plate number matched Bob's vehicle -- definitely his -- but the physical description of the young man... someone else driving the car? (I've always wondered if it was possible that was not Bob, or was it someone that forced him to drive there).

Totally a realistic suspicion - when you mentioned it above I kinda kicked myself for not thinking of it myself. But if it were someone else the idea of him then driving back to the relay station and parking there, presumably getting into another car. It just seems confusing no matter which way.

 

[Kitty7766]

Totally a realistic suspicion - when you mentioned it above I kinda kicked myself for not thinking of it myself. But if it were someone else the idea of him then driving back to the relay station and parking there, presumably getting into another car. It just seems confusing no matter which way.

Agreed. It just has never made sense regardless of how you 're-think' it. I'm also curious as to rumors that the car hubcaps were riddled with bullet holes. Was Bob inside or outside the vehicle when the friend/visitor saw him in her friend's driveway? So many 'little' things that may have been -- still -- important that don't seem to have been noted at the time.

 

[Sweetluv]

In regards to the driveway incident, the witness stated "the male driver" so I assume he was sitting behind the wheel at the time. He said he must be at the wrong place and drove off..

Agreed. It just has never made sense regardless of how you 're-think' it. I'm also curious as to rumors that the car hubcaps were riddled with bullet holes. Was Bob inside or outside the vehicle when the friend/visitor saw him in her friend's driveway? So many 'little' things that may have been -- still -- important that don't seem to have been noted at the time.

 

[Sweetluv]

Sept 16, 1977..remembering Robert

 

[Keiri]

Red mark is where the relay is

 

[Keiri]

The old namus link didn't work, here's an updated one: The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) Scott Dadam of the Sauk County Sheriff's department is listed on Namus as the contact person. That's incorrect as he has moved and changed jobs to Sturgeon Bay. I tried to contact him anyway and nothing. I let Namus know he's the wrong contact person. I will be trying to find the new contact at sauk county. For the time being I emailed Chip Meister, the Sauk county sheriff.

 

[crhedBngr]

Following.

I was born and raised in an Upper-Midwest state where bow hunting would take place in the fall.

My Opinion Only follows:

So Robert's bow and an arrow (one arrow? more than one arrow?) were "found on a road" in the Tower Road area.

From what I've read, bow hunters carry anywhere from 3 arrows to 6 (or more). If only one arrow was found, I'm thinking someone killed Robert with his own bow and arrows, and then moved his body somewhere. The arrows used might be with the body, wherever it is.

Again, My Opinion Only.

Thoughts?

How Many Arrows Do You Need in the Quiver?

From the above link:

Bottom Line: How Many Arrows?​

This is tough to answer in a blanket statement since there are so many different types and styles of hunting out there. Standard quiver capacities these days range from 4-7 arrows, and which one is right for you will depend on a number of factors.

 

[Keiri]

Following.

I was born and raised in an Upper-Midwest state where bow hunting would take place in the fall.

My Opinion Only follows:

So Robert's bow and an arrow (one arrow? more than one arrow?) were "found on a road" in the Tower Road area.

From what I've read, bow hunters carry anywhere from 3 arrows to 6 (or more). If only one arrow was found, I'm thinking someone killed Robert with his own bow and arrows, and then moved his body somewhere. The arrows used might be with the body, wherever it is.

Again, My Opinion Only.

Thoughts?

How Many Arrows Do You Need in the Quiver?

From the above link:

I don’t know how many arrows, but I can’t imagine him dropping the bow and not noticing, so either he was running from something or the attacker threw it into the woods, why I don’t know. It’s just extremely unfortunate if they never tested it for fingerprints other than his own. I did ask that of the sheriff and hope we get an answer. Although I’ve read some stories lately saying most sheriffs don’t keep *any evidence* and I bet they gave it to the family.

 

[crhedBngr]

I don’t know how many arrows, but I can’t imagine him dropping the bow and not noticing, so either he was running from something or the attacker threw it into the woods, why I don’t know. It’s just extremely unfortunate if they never tested it for fingerprints other than his own. I did ask that of the sheriff and hope we get an answer. Although I’ve read some stories lately saying most sheriffs don’t keep *any evidence* and I bet they gave it to the family.

Thanks.

So very concerning, all around.

JMVHO.

 

[Keiri]

Hey, the NamUs site shows Robert’s case was updated on 10/9, I sent my email 10/8. We can’t see the updates so it’s on the law enforcement portion. Hopefully they are going to dig up that old evidence and test it, if they still have it.