MI MI - Donald Curtis Rexroth, 23, K. I. Sawyer AFB, 4 May 1979

[chaddylex]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Missing Person /
NamUs #MP38366
Donald Curtis Rexroth,
Male, White / Caucasian

Case Information​

Demographics​

Missing Age 23 Years
Current Age 68 Years
Legal First Name Donald
Middle Name Curtis
Legal Last Name Rexroth
Chosen Name/Nickname/Alias--

Biological Sex Male
Height5' 6" (66 Inches)
Weight155 lbs
Race / Ethnicity White / Caucasian

Circumstances​

Date of Last Contact May 4, 1979
NamUs Case Created May 30, 2017

Last Known Location​

Location K. I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan
County Marquette County
Missing From Tribal Land--
Primary Residence on Tribal Land--
Circumstances of Disappearance Donald was last seen by his wife approximately 2100 hours, 3 May 79, while cleaning another couple’s military quarters on base. She described him as extremely inebriated, depressed, and argumentative. He departed the house on foot wearing only a white thermal underwear top, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. Temperatures that night were at or below freezing. Contact with Donald's wife and friends failed to reveal any further information concerning his location.

Physical Description​

Hair Color Brown
Head Hair Description--
Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair Description--
Left Eye Color Brown
Right Eye Color Brown
Eye Description--

---

Distinctive Physical Features​

No Known Information

Clothing and Accessories​

Item
Description
Clothing
He departed the house on foot wearing only a white thermal underwear top, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.

 

[chaddylex]

Donald currently has 18 ruleouts as of 1/9/25

 

[amandab]

His remains were found in 2017:

The mystery of an airman who disappeared from a Michigan Air Force base 44 years ago

It’s been exactly 44 years since a 23-year-old airman mysteriously disappeared from a Michigan Air Force base in the middle of the night. Officials are still trying to solve this case after his remains were found a few years ago.

www.clickondetroit.com

 

[Sulamith]

I wonder why it is believed he was a victim of foul play? He took off in freezing weather on foot, not dressed for the cold and inebriated. ??

 

[chaddylex]

His remains were found in 2017:

The mystery of an airman who disappeared from a Michigan Air Force base 44 years ago

It’s been exactly 44 years since a 23-year-old airman mysteriously disappeared from a Michigan Air Force base in the middle of the night. Officials are still trying to solve this case after his remains were found a few years ago.

www.clickondetroit.com

I wonder why he is still in NamUs???

 

[amandab]

I wonder why he is still in NamUs???

I know, right?! Oversight, maybe?

 

[chaddylex]

I know, right?! Oversight, maybe?

His profile in NamUs came up as being modified today, so I decided to see if he had a thread here and didn't see one. Glad he was found.

 

[Pennysmom1]

https://www.osi.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1979039/remains-of-airman-missing-for-40-years-are-found-foul-play-suspected/

https://www.publicopiniononline.com/obituaries/mpa039290

<<Donald's family would like to express sincere gratitude to the AFOSI, NamUS, the Anthropology Department of Northern University, Michigan State Police, Marquette County, and the hunters that discovered his remains in November of 2017. Anyone with relevant information into the suspicious death of Sgt. Donald C. Rexroth can contact the Cold Case Team at the Air Force Office of Special Investigations tip line >>