NC NC - Alexander Edwin Shaw IV, 23, Wagram, 15 Mar 1982

[MadMcGoo]

Alexander Edwin Shaw IV
NamUs #MP2420

• Missing Since: March 15, 1982
• Missing From: Wagram, Scotland County, North Carolina
• First Name: Alexander
  Middle Name: Edwin
  Last Name: Shaw
  Nickname/Alias: John Sanders
• Sex: Male
• Race: White
• Date of Birth: January 23, 1959
• Age: 23 years old
• Height and Weight: 5'10 - 5'11, 140 pounds
• Hair Color: Brown/reddish-brown/auburn
• Eye Color: Blue
• Clothing/Jewelry Description: A white shirt and blue jeans.
• Distinguishing Characteristics: Shaw has a prominent Adam's Apple, and he has a history of recurring discoloration on his right knee. His blood type is O-positive. Shaw goes by his middle name, Edwin.

Details of Disappearance:
Shaw's green 1972 Buick was found smashed into a pine tree off of Highway 40 in Wagram, North Carolina on March 15, 1982. There was no sign of Shaw at the accident scene and he has never been heard from again.

The car keys were in the ignition and the headlights were turned on when investigators located the vehicle. The Wagram area had heavy rainfall pass through during the suspected time of Shaw's accident.

Two witnesses reported having seen Shaw walking along the highway south of Wagram the day after the car accident. He has never been heard from again. An extensive search of the area, involving the National Guard and the Army as well as local law enforcement, turned up no sign of him.

Shaw has been employed in theatre, mobile home service, broadcast advertising sales and industrial waste water plant operations. He is a distance runner and frequently donated blood to the American Red Cross prior to his 1982 disappearance. He is described as a casual dresser

Investigators do not believe that he was carrying any identification or jewelry at the time of his disappearance. His father, who believed his son suffered a head injury in the accident and developed amnesia, died in 2010. Shaw's case remains unsolved.

Dentals: Available
Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Available

Investigating Agencies:
-Scotland County Sheriff's Department
Kevin Howell, Captain: (910) 276-3385
[email protected]
-North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation: (910) 829-6309
Agency Case Number: 373-M-25-1

*53 Unidentified Person Exclusions

Sources:

• The Charley Project
• The Doe Network
• NamUs
• carolinamissing

 

[MadMcGoo]

Exclusions to date:
UP14360 08/14/2015 Bland VA
UP6639 07/28/2007 Fairfax VA
UP6149 01/22/1996 Halifax VA
UP2230 08/19/1991 Richmond VA
UP2667 08/18/2008 Dinwiddie VA
UP6762 10/08/1995 Richmond VA
UP6640 08/30/1984 New Kent VA
UP6637 10/07/2006 Fairfax VA
UP6530 05/18/1990 Chesterfield VA
UP9399 01/09/1983 Caroline VA
UP14518 04/03/2010 Shenandoah VA
UP8418 02/24/1992 Henrico VA
UP6643 04/11/1987 Caroline VA
UP6515 04/19/1987 Charlottesville VA
UP6278 07/05/2007 Botetourt VA
UP6304 08/01/1993 Clarke VA
UP6513 01/01/1990 Brunswick VA
UP12425 04/04/2014 Spotsylvania VA
UP9340 11/19/1983 Chesapeake VA
UP9509 02/23/1983 Virginia Beach VA
UP10908 08/29/2012 Fairfax VA
UP6719 03/02/1986 Alleghany VA
UP5263 10/09/2008 Will IL
UP11248 08/20/2012 Alexandria VA
UP6481 04/14/1982 Orange VA
UP6303 01/26/1997 Warren VA
UP2560 03/05/2003 Norfolk VA
UP6305 07/30/2002 Prince William VA
UP6474 06/12/1990 Prince William VA
UP2235 09/09/1986 Chatham NC
UP2237 09/22/1988 Robeson NC
UP10226 04/01/2012 Carroll VA
UP6473 03/08/1988 Loudoun VA
UP6171 12/26/2005 Pittsylvania VA
UP7605 07/21/2010 Mecklenburg VA
UP8352 01/12/2006 Cumberland NC
UP2672 04/05/2008 Prince Edward VA
UP1553 05/24/1993 Knox TN
UP6268 08/26/2002 Currituck NC
UP6662 11/11/2005 Harnett NC
UP2648 06/14/1993 Mecklenburg NC
UP6269 04/22/2003 Cumberland NC
UP2650 09/17/1993 Gaston NC
UP6272 11/22/2003 Robeson NC
UP5327 10/22/1982 Archuleta CO
UP2114 02/29/1988 Washoe NV
UP6018 08/15/1988 Ulster NY
UP2198 03/03/1984 Wake NC
UP2100 07/11/1987 Washoe NV
UP2099 02/02/1986 Washoe NV
UP7469 11/22/1985 Washoe NV
UP1271 08/23/1982 Pasco FL
UP2303 10/09/1992 Pinellas FL

 

[MadMcGoo]

Edwin’s sister, Grace Shaw Abrams, started a blog back in 2012 that includes more details and sources pertaining to her brother’s disappearance. There has only been one post, in 2014, since 2012 but it’s a pretty interesting read. It’s a mystery for sure. I feel like he’s out there somewhere and with 50+ unidentified persons excluded, it kind of makes you wonder.

Hope for Edwin

 

[Coffee56]

Thought of this UID. Not a lot of info. NamUs says 2 yrs but narrative in Doe says possibly since the 70s. Location is way off. Thread states that UID tooth was lost postmortem but unable to verify. Maybe when dental was available in NamUs.

MN - MN - Isanti Co., WhtMale Skeletal 499UMMN, 20-28, distinctive smile, Aug'03

Artistic rendering of the victim

Date of Discovery: August 17, 2003
Location of Discovery: Isanti County, Minnesota
Estimated Date of Death: 2000-2003
State of Remains: Skeletal Remains
Cause of Death: Not Available

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 20-28 yrs old
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5'9"
Weight: Cannot Estimate
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Ante-mortem healed fracture of the left 10th rib

Identifiers
Dentals: Available
Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Available

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: None
Jewelry: A watch and a portion of a red and yellow blanket-like material located at scene with remains.
Additional Personal Items: None

Circumstances of Discovery
The victim was located near Highway 47 and County Road 5, on private property on August 17, 2003, when an excavator discovered a skull in a load of earth. Investigators discovered human remains at the original burial site and the site where the earth was being dumped.

The body, which was buried about three feet deep, could have been on the site since the 1970's. Investigators are treating the case as a homicide though they have no evidence of the manner of death. The depth of the grave, the location near a main highway leading out of the cities, is suspicious. Investigators have reviewed available missing person records and interviewed area residents with no success. The only other clue is a man's watch found near the remains.

The structure of the face and the dental reconstruction are very precise. Other facial details, such as the size of the ears and nose, and hair and eye color, are not known and reflect the best guess of the artist.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Midwest Medical Examiner's Office
Agency Contact Person: Quinn Strobl
Agency Phone Number: 763-324-4400
Agency E-Mail: [email protected]
Agency Case Number: IC03-16

NCIC Case Number: N/A
NamUs Case Number: 8832

Information Source(s)
NamUs
Home Town Source
Star News

Admin Notes
Added: Prior to 2011; Last Updated:11/01/2017

499UMMN

 

[MadMcGoo]

Interesting. I always like when teeth can be seen in both the recon of the UID and photos of the missing, but it’s hard to see Alexander’s. He does have a very distinctive smile though. They have similar face shapes. The noses look quite different to me, Alexander’s is pretty short (top to bottom), meaning there’s a lot of space between his nostrils and his teeth or bottom of his chin. I’m not sure the technical terms for what I’m describing so maybe someone else can weigh in.

I do see why you thought of this UID.

 

[MadMcGoo]

Refreshing the thread…

 

[Beccalicious]

Bumping

 

[StarrChance]

This seems an unfortunate accident and from his sisters blog he possibly went into the river. However I can’t find why/where the alias John Sanders comes from, was someone using his identity?

 

[spartanx]

The car was traveling quickly when it crashed, which makes me wonder: why? Especially since there was "heavy rain" during the time of the accident... What reason would he have to drive so recklessly? Was he under the influence of drugs or alcohol perhaps? If so, I think maybe if he was DUI he would be more likely to flee the scene, not thinking clearly. In a drunken state it is possible that he drowned... Obviously that is just a theory. It just seems strange to me that someone would be driving at high speeds in bad weather conditions in an obviously reckless manner as there don't seem to be any other cars involved and he was a local so he would know the terrain and roads situation as such...
either way
rest in peace

 

[MadMcGoo]

Alexander Edwin Shaw IV 1982 NC

Clipping found in The Memphis Press-Scimitar published in Memphis, Tennessee on 5/28/1983. Alexander Edwin Shaw IV 1982 NC

www.newspapers.com

 

[Ciriii57]

What about this UID found in Chesapeake, Virginia? (259 miles away from Wagram)

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

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

www.namus.gov

The likeness is not amazing but there is a similarity. The stats are quite promising (UID in red), height is slightly off but was estimated from skeletal remains:

• Age: 23 years old Estimated Age Range (Years)20-30
• Height and Weight: 5'10 - 5'11, 140 pounds 5' 7"-5' 9"(67-69 inches) , Estimated
• Hair Color: Brown/reddish--brown/auburn Unknown
  • Missing Since: March 15, 1982 Estimated Year of Death1979-1982

What really got me was the descripyion of the UIDs pants:
A pair of tan corduroy pants, brand name: Wrangler, waist: 32”; inseam: 30”; extensively frayed in are below knees, over a pair of blue denim jeans.

Edwin was apparently wearing blue jeans when he disappeared. But his sister has always doubted that because apparently he prefferred corduroys, especially in the colder months. This UID was wearing both!
There are some other items, but he could have changed his clothes by then.
The area where the UID was found is a wood just off a nice looking cul-de-sac.

 

[John/Jane Doe]

Alexander Edwin Shaw IV – The Charley Project

 

[ChatteringBirds]

What about this UID found in Chesapeake, Virginia?

Could you submit it? I think it is worth them checking. If you do, and if you hear back, please update.

 

[Ciriii57]

Could you submit it? I think it is worth them checking. If you do, and if you hear back, please update.

I did submit it a month ago but I think only to the UID side and not to a specific person. I will submit it to the investigating agency for both Missing and UID and get the specific case managers.
The more I look the more I see similarities, especially the teeth.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I will submit it to the investigating agency for both Missing and UID and get the specific case managers.

You are a kind person.

 

[chaddylex]

I did submit it a month ago but I think only to the UID side and not to a specific person. I will submit it to the investigating agency for both Missing and UID and get the specific case managers.
The more I look the more I see similarities, especially the teeth.

I see a similarity also. Alexander's NamUs profile was just updated today, 12/7/23 and your Joe Doe was ruled out. Glad you submitted it.

 

[chaddylex]

What do you all think of this John Doe? I started looking when I saw Alexander's NamUs profile modified today.

Here is a side by side of the John Doe found 2 weeks after Alexander went missing in Georgia.

Age is a little off along with weight and hair color. I have seen more characteristics being off in the past and they were matches.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

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

www.namus.gov

Demographics​

Biological Sex Male
Race / Ethnicity White / Caucasian
Possible First Name--
Possible Middle Name--
Possible Last Name--
Nickname/Alias--
Estimated Age Group Adult - Pre 40
Estimated Age Range (Years)28-35
Estimated Year of Death1982
Estimated PMI Days
Height5' 11"(71 inches) , Estimated
Weight200 lbs, Estimated

Circumstances​

Type Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found March 28, 1982
NamUs Case Created November 13, 2007
ME/C QA Reviewed--

Location Found Map​

Location Atlanta, Georgia
County Fulton County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped)--
Found On Tribal Land--
Circumstances of Recovery Found decomposed in upstairs room of a vacant (abandoned) garage apartment. Fully clothed except for shoes which were found at the scene. Type O blood was found at scene.

---

Details of Recovery​

Inventory of Remains All parts recovered
Condition of Remains Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction

Physical Description​

Hair Color Brown
Head Hair Description brown, fine, straight
Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair Description--
Left Eye Color--
Right Eye Color--
Eye Description--

---

Distinctive Physical Features​

No Information Entered​

Clothing and Accessories​

Item
Description
Clothing
pin striped short sleeve shirt; blude denim jeans; white breifs; white boxer shorts.
On the Body

Footwear
size 12 brown casual shoes found at scene
On the Body

 

[Ciriii57]

I see a similarity also. Alexander's NamUs profile was just updated today, 12/7/23 and your Joe Doe was ruled out. Glad you submitted it.
View attachment 466406

The system works! Thanks for letting me know!

 

[Ciriii57]

What do you all think of this John Doe? I started looking when I saw Alexander's NamUs profile modified today.

Here is a side by side of the John Doe found 2 weeks after Alexander went missing in Georgia.

Age is a little off along with weight and hair color. I have seen more characteristics being off in the past and they were matches.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

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

www.namus.gov

View attachment 466407View attachment 466408

Demographics​

Biological Sex Male
Race / Ethnicity White / Caucasian
Possible First Name--
Possible Middle Name--
Possible Last Name--
Nickname/Alias--
Estimated Age Group Adult - Pre 40
Estimated Age Range (Years)28-35
Estimated Year of Death1982
Estimated PMI Days
Height5' 11"(71 inches) , Estimated
Weight200 lbs, Estimated

Circumstances​

Type Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found March 28, 1982
NamUs Case Created November 13, 2007
ME/C QA Reviewed--

Location Found Map​

Location Atlanta, Georgia
County Fulton County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped)--
Found On Tribal Land--
Circumstances of Recovery Found decomposed in upstairs room of a vacant (abandoned) garage apartment. Fully clothed except for shoes which were found at the scene. Type O blood was found at scene.

---

Details of Recovery​

Inventory of Remains All parts recovered
Condition of Remains Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction

Physical Description​

Hair Color Brown
Head Hair Description brown, fine, straight
Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair Description--
Left Eye Color--
Right Eye Color--
Eye Description--

---

Distinctive Physical Features​

No Information Entered​

Clothing and Accessories​

Item
Description
Clothing
pin striped short sleeve shirt; blude denim jeans; white breifs; white boxer shorts.
On the Body

Footwear
size 12 brown casual shoes found at scene
On the Body

I see some strong similarities here yes. Certainly not enough to exclude him anyway.

 

[chaddylex]

I see some strong similarities here yes. Certainly not enough to exclude him anyway.

When you submitted your possible match to Alexander, did you submit to the John Doe contactor Alexander's contact?