FL FL - Joseph Francis Royster, 39, Jacksonville, Feb 1973

[MaryG12]

This is kind of an unusual case - Royster was a popular songwriter ("New Orleans", "Quarter to Three", "If You Wanna Be Happy") when he went missing in February 1973 on a trip from Jacksonville, FL to Nevada.

Missing songwriter case nearing the end | Jax Daily Record | Financial News & Daily Record - Jacksonville, Florida

Missing songwriter case nearing the end

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13, 2002

Timothy R. Royster and Joseph Francis Royster Jr. will be in Jacksonville Friday to go before a judge who will most likely sign a death certificate. Once Royster has been declared dead, royalties collected on songs that he wrote during his career will transferred to his sons.

Royster was born in North Carolina in 1935. He attended college at Wake Forest University and married Lu Faye Royster in 1957. The couple had two children and were divorced in 1970.

The last piece of evidence in Booth’s paper trail is a notice sent to Royster’s mother notifying him of a returned check that he wrote to the Mint Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The date of the check was Feb. 18, 1973.

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I cannot find any other information about his disappearance online. "Quarter to Three" was a hit for Gary US Bonds, which hit #1 on the music charts in 1961. Joseph often collaborated with Frank Guida on songwriting.

I wonder what happened to him?

His photo is at:

Joseph Royster

 

[glamourkitty1922]

 

[Sleuthster]

Im going to check John Does in Vegas. Sounds like he made it there. Here's some interesting info about the Mint Hotel and Casino The Mint Las Vegas - Wikipedia

 

[Sleuthster]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
Apparently 1973-74 was a popular time to find bodies and skeletal remains out in the desert. The mob may not have been happy about a bad check.

 

[glamourkitty1922]

Im going to check John Does in Vegas. Sounds like he made it there. Here's some interesting info about the Mint Hotel and Casino The Mint Las Vegas - Wikipedia

I checked out the Mint, and realized I've been there! In 1978. They served a tasty Champagne when you gambled.

 

[PayrollNerd]

What type vehicle was he in? There are so many bodies of water before you ever leave Florida on I-10 headed west. Not to mention how rural and desolate it would have been at the time. What time of day did he leave? Where did he plan to stop for rest besides a formal rest area? If he couldn't afford the bill at The Mint, did he turn around and go home?

Missing songwriter case nearing the end | Jax Daily Record | Jacksonville Daily Record - Jacksonville, Florida