CA CA - Thomas Ray Starkel, 19, Palmdale, 5 Dec 1979

[Mischa]

Today I found this case on Charleyproject:



Tom Ray Starkel

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance​

· Missing Since: December 5, 1979 from Palmdale, California
· Classification: Endangered Missing
· Date of Birth: July 15, 1960
· Age: 19 years old
· Height and Weight: 5'6, 150 pounds
· Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Blond hair, green eyes.
· Clothing/Jewelry Description: A tan sweater and brown corduroy pants.

Details of Disappearance​

Starkel was last seen leaving his girlfriend's home in Palmdale, California on December 5, 1979. Authorities believe he did arrive at his own apartment afterwards, but he has never been heard from again. Starkel was driving a dark green Pontiac Firebird with Nevada license plates at the time of his disappearance. His vehicle was recovered two weeks later, when it was pulled over driving into California from Nevada. Another individual was driving the vehicle and there was no sign of Starkey. The person was arrested and held for about two weeks, but eventually released for lack of evidence connecting him to Starkey's disappearance. Starkey's case remains unsolved.
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/s/starkel_tom.html

 

[Mischa]

His girlfriend did not forget Tom in 29 Years.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/hollyjean/writing/821693-missing-tom-starkel

 

[Cubby]

Toms NamUs link:

https://www.findthemissing.org/cases/1165/0/

Toms Doenetwork link:
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/2322dmca.html

 

[Cubby]

Toms myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/prayers4tomstarkel

Toms facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/MissingTomR.Starkel#!/MissingTomR.Starkel?ref=search

 

[mselizabethb]

I wonder how intense the interview was for his "friend". Anyone seen driving the vehicle of a person who has disappeared sounds pretty sketchy. Craig Moore was his name and there was several of Starkel's belongings in the vehicle and a handgun that had been fired recently.

 

[alb1on]

I wonder how intense the interview was for his "friend". Anyone seen driving the vehicle of a person who has disappeared sounds pretty sketchy. Craig Moore was his name and there was several of Starkel's belongings in the vehicle and a handgun that had been fired recently.

A starting point would be to know more about the Craig Moore named in this case. What was his full name, DoB, etc. How did he know Tom Starkel? One reason I ask is that this could let us see if subsequent behaviour reinforced suspicion. There seem to be about 200 Craig Moores in California at present,and it is impossible to know which (if any) is our man (he may, of course, have moved out of state). However, at least one who fits the bill in terms of age (born 1957), Craig Richey Moore, is a registered sex offender with an assault record in Salinas. Whilst he may be unrelated to this case it would be most interesting if he is the same man.

 

[mselizabethb]

According to his girlfriend, Holly, Moore is passed on. So unfortunately, he took his secrets to the grave if he did indeed have something to do with Starkel's disappearance.

 

[StarrChance]

The poi was Craig Alan Moore
Dob: Dec 8, 1956
Dod: Nov 11, 2010
Age 53 Autopy cited natural causes (cardiovascular)
I’m surprised not to find any (rumours) around this case, in all this time you would think someone would have heard something.
Btw this young man reminds me of my hubby who had that lovely strawberry/blond hair back then also!

 

[Savemecastiel]

Bumping

 

[Find Brenda]

Here is a new Facebook page for Thomas. The old one is gone it seems.

 

[Find Brenda]

Thinking of Tom today

 

[Find Brenda]

Merry Christmas Tom, wherever you are...

 

[Cimatico]

Enhanced image from source Tom Ray Starkel – The Charley Project

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

2322DMCA - Tom Ray Starkel

 

[Find Brenda]

Gone 43 years.

This should have been solved

 

[summergirl1]

Craig probably made him sign the car over at gunpoint or something. Clever, since it provided a cover, although a shady one. I don't think he wasn't trying to sell his car? Even if he was, obviously more than that happened.

 

[John/Jane Doe]

2322DMCA - Tom Ray Starkel

 

[John/Jane Doe]

Tom Ray Starkel – The Charley Project

 

[Diane Redfern]

The poi was Craig Alan Moore
Dob: Dec 8, 1956
Dod: Nov 11, 2010
Age 53 Autopy cited natural causes (cardiovascular)
I’m surprised not to find any (rumours) around this case, in all this time you would think someone would have heard something.
Btw this young man reminds me of my hubby who had that lovely strawberry/blond hair back then also!

Everything fits with this guy, except the DOB

https://es.findagrave.com/memorial/140151653/craig-a-moore

 

[Leprikawn]

The fact that guy was driving the car into California from Nevada makes me wonder if he is one of the bodies they pulled from Lake Meade?

 

[Pennysmom1]

Tom Ray Starkel – The Charley Project

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Starkel, circa 1979

• Missing Since 12/05/1979
• Missing From Palmdale, California
• Classification Endangered Missing
• Sex Male
• Race White
• Date of Birth 07/15/1960 (65)
• Age 19 years old
• Height and Weight 5'6, 150 pounds
• 
  
• Clothing/Jewelry Description A tan sweater, brown corduroy pants, a gold watch, and sneakers (possibly size 7 1/2).
• 
  
• Associated Vehicle(s) Dark green Pontiac Firebird with blue-colored Nevada license plates (accounted for)
• 
  
• Distinguishing Characteristics White male. Blond hair, green eyes.

Details of Disappearance​

Starkel was last seen leaving his girlfriend's home in Palmdale, California at approximately 10:00 p.m. on December 5, 1979. Authorities believe he did arrive at his own apartment afterwards, but he has never been heard from again.

The police were notified of his disappearance three days after he was last seen, but it was another three days before they went to his apartment to investigate. In the meantime, Starkel's mother had cleaned the apartment and erased any evidence that might have been there.

Starkel was driving a dark green Pontiac Firebird with blue-colored Nevada license plates at the time of his disappearance. His vehicle was recovered two weeks later, when it was pulled over driving into California from Nevada.

Craig Moore was driving the vehicle; there was no sign of Starkel. Starkel's jacket was in the trunk of the car and the car's pink slip had been signed over from Starkel to Moore. A handgun was also found under the driver's seat; it had been fired recently.

Moore was arrested and held for two weeks and told several different stories. He was eventually released for lack of evidence connecting him to Starkel's disappearance, but he remains the prime suspect.

Starkel graduated from Palmdale High School, and he attended the First Assembly of God Church, where his grandfather was a pastor. His case remains unsolved.