FL FL - Richard Edward Watchempino Jr., 23, Miami, Apr '81

[victoriarobinson642]

Added to NAMUS yesterday:
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

---

Name: Richard Edward Watchempino Jr.
Case Number: MP85046
Last Seen in: Miami (Miami-Dade County)
Last Seen on:
April 10, 1981

--

Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 165 lbs.
Age Missing: 17
Eye Color: Brown, glasses
Hair Color: Black, long
Race: White/Indigenous
Sex: Male
Circumstances: Family of Richard Watchempino Jr last heard from him in April of 1981. Mr. Watchempino Jr at the time was residing in the City of Miami, where he was a cab driver.

---

 

[victoriarobinson642]

I've found a few photos from the Livermore, California, class of 1976 yearbooks on Classmates that I believe are Richard.

 

[30Anne]

40 years is a long time not hear from someone...... I wonder what became of Richard?

 

[victoriarobinson642]

FL - FL - Miami, WhtMale UP13806, 15-30, unfinished tattoo of nude woman, Apr'81
I'm considering him as a match to this John Doe - there's not much visual resemblance, though.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

He apparently has two older sisters, Laura and Lisa, according to a Richard Edward Watchempino's birth announcement in the Fresno Bee. He also has a younger sister, Leslee Ann, who was born in 1960.

His father, the late Richard Edward Sr., was drafted during the Korean War where he served in the rank of corporal from 1950-1953. The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress conducted an oral history interview of Richard Sr. about his service in Korea, which is available online.

 

[MagicCityMan]

FL - FL - Miami, WhtMale UP13806, 15-30, unfinished tattoo of nude woman, Apr'81
I'm considering him as a match to this John Doe - there's not much visual resemblance, though.

The big question is, how long had it been since his family had last laid eyes on him? Assuming he is from California it may have been a while and he may have cut his hair and his family members may not have been aware of it. Since tattoo was in process, they surely wouldn't have been aware of that. Hence, his description could be very outdated. I really think you are on to something with this match. He was a cab driver which was a potentially dangerous occupation in Miami in those days. It's one of those: "how on earth could they not have compared Mr. Watchempino with John Doe?"
Question: is it possible that Mr. Watchempino was just added to NAMUS because they are comparing him to this John Doe (or any others)?

 

[victoriarobinson642]

enhanced and colorized richard's portrait through myheritage.

 

[PayrollNerd]

CA to FL is a long way from home if he is the same person. Being a cab driver means you need to know the city like the back of your hand. If he was from the area, that is a heck of a learning curve.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Ruled out by dental records.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Found a few more photos of him from Livermore HS. Not sure how to submit them to NAMUS.

 

[PatLaurel]

Thanks for these photos, @victoriarobinson642!

I recently came across UP2772 case and after seeing Watchempino's photos, I can't unsee the resemblances between them.

Am I the only one seeing it?

Thoughts?

MOO JMO

ETA: I submitted the possible match to NamUs because I couldn't find Watchempino on Doe Network.

 

[PatLaurel]

ETA: I submitted the possible match to NamUs because I couldn't find Watchempino on Doe Network.

Quoting myself for context.

I just got an email from the Regional Program Specialist and NamUs' is going to "review the submitted information".

 

[Pennysmom1]

Richard is still missing

Missing Person / NamUs #MP85046

View NamUs missing person case MP85046 for Richard Edward Jr Watchempino missing from Miami, Florida. Date of last contact: Apr 10, 1981. NCMEC case number: --.

namus.nij.ojp.gov

Richard Watchempino Jr , Missing from Florida since 1981.

A blog about the many missing, murdered, and unidentified Native/Indigenous/Aboriginal women of the United States and Canada. Say Their Names!

www.justicefornativepeople.com