Robert Clifton Newell Sr.
Missing since December 1974 from Washington DC.
Classification: Missing
Vital Statistics
- Date Of Birth: August 1, 1910
- Age at Time of Disappearance: 65 years old
- Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'6-5'8"; 190-200 lbs.
- Distinguishing Characteristics: White male. Brown hair; brown eyes. Poor eyesight.
- Marks, Scars: Large dimple on chin. Left inguinal hernia repair. Walks with a limp.
- Dentals: Available. Missing #14,15,16, on both lower left and right side. Nonrestorable carious teeth, right #8, 6.
Circumstances of Disappearance
Robert C. Newell has been missing since Christmas Eve, 1974, when he was seen carrying a red-and-green checked suitcase. It was 7 p.m. and the people who saw Newell asked him where he was going. He said he was going to see his girlfriend in Boston or maybe his brother in Tennessee. His last known address was in the Langdon area of DC 20018.
He used to attend the Thursday night church suppers at the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church. On the Thursday after Christmas, Newell didn't show for the church dinner and the next Sunday he didn't show for the service either. He used to come and sit through the sermon. A search was made at the request of a United Methodist Church minister, the police was contacted, but found no signs of foul play.
Newell had been in the service and on Veterans' Day he would dress up and walk around Capitol Hill.
Newell had said he visited Boston and Florida from time to time. He apparently made a habit of drinking at the American Legion, and boasting that he had lots of money.
Newell had been homeless for several years prior to 1974 and he was known to have frequently stayed at the Salvation Army shelters for the homeless. He is described as eccentric, and a had become a loner in his later years.
He left behind a small amount of money.
Several Newell family members think that he left the District of Columbia boundaries during his final days, and he may have died in the Virginia suburbs south of DC.
Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department
Detective James Tranium
202-576-6768
Source Information:
Washington Post, The (DC) - July 14, 1977
Written account by Neil Scott, investigative reporter, who worked on Newell case in 1975-1976.
Martin Shepherd - Grandson
The Doe Network: Case File 3940DMDC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Clifton Newell Sr. is a U.S. Navy Veteran who was last seen in Washington, DC on December 24, 1974.
When last seen, he was carrying a red and green checkered suitcase. When people had asked him where he was going, he told them he was going to see his girlfriend in Boston, Massachusetts or maybe his brother in Tennessee.
Robert Clifton Newell Sr. was active in the church and when he did not show for Thursday night church dinner at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church on December 26, 1974, then did not show for the church service, the United Methodist Church Minister requested police check on Robert Clifton Newell Sr.. No signs of foul play were found by police.
Read more:
Robert Clifton Newell Sr.
