NJ NJ - Five Missing Teens, Newark, 20 Aug 1978

The phone number for the museum has been disconnected This is what I found out about it click on this link and if you scroll down you will see it in the list.
www.irs.gov/irb/2008-14_IRB/ar16.html

Disconnected?:eek:

I'm thinking maybe if we look up some of the boy's names there must be family that have sites for them. That may be the better way to go because this guy is evasive. Thanks, Teresa.
 
So their were two phone calls made from Washington D.C. about this case? I find that very interesting.

ETA: I am sure this has been checked out, but I wonder if this could be one of the boys? I know they estimated the death to be in 1977, but that could be wrong I guess.


Unidentified Black Male


  • The victim was discovered on November 21, 1979 in Lawrence Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey.
  • Estimated Date of Death: May 1, 1977
  • Partial Skeletal Remains
Vital Statistics


  • Estimated Year of Birth: 18-28 years old; 1949-1959
  • Approximate Height and Weight: 5'7"-5'9" (69" Measured)
  • Distinguishing Characteristics: Could have been bald
  • Fingerprints: Not Available
  • Dentals: Available tooth 30 has missing filling and decay
  • DNA: Not Available
Case History
On November 21, 1979, the victim's skeletal remains were found in a wooded area in Lawrence Township, NJ.

Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:
New Jersey State Police
800-709-7090
OR
New Jersey State Police
Donna Fontana
609-584-5051 x 5656
Email
You may remain anonymous when submitting information.
Agency Case Number:
H207953
NCIC Number:
U-640558766
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.
Source Information:
New Jersey State Police
UDRS
 
Disconnected?:eek:

I'm thinking maybe if we look up some of the boy's names there must be family that have sites for them. That may be the better way to go because this guy is evasive. Thanks, Teresa.

It said in one of the articles that I read that almost all of their family members are deceased now.
 
Disconnected?:eek:

I'm thinking maybe if we look up some of the boy's names there must be family that have sites for them. That may be the better way to go because this guy is evasive. Thanks, Teresa.

I've searched all over for a good website and haven't come up with anything. I did find a Melvin Pittman from Newark on Myspace. A nephew maybe???? Best bet for getting help from the family looks like it might be Michael McDowell's sister, Terry Lawson. However, I can't find an email address or anything on her. I wonder if the Michael Pittman from Myspace could possibly help us get in touch with her and see if she would be willing to come to WS and answer questions, etc.

One thing that bothers me about this case is that I keep seeing conflicting information. If I understand correctly there was only 1 phone call, but I've seen a couple different senarios of what was actually said. I don't know, maybe there were 2. Same goes for when they were all last seen. Just wish we could get some accurate info....
 
I've searched all over for a good website and haven't come up with anything. I did find a Melvin Pittman from Newark on Myspace. A nephew maybe???? Best bet for getting help from the family looks like it might be Michael McDowell's sister, Terry Lawson. However, I can't find an email address or anything on her. I wonder if the Michael Pittman from Myspace could possibly help us get in touch with her and see if she would be willing to come to WS and answer questions, etc.

One thing that bothers me about this case is that I keep seeing conflicting information. If I understand correctly there was only 1 phone call, but I've seen a couple different senarios of what was actually said. I don't know, maybe there were 2. Same goes for when they were all last seen. Just wish we could get some accurate info....

I saw where I think one of the family members posted at the end of one of the articles. Maybe we could leave a message and ask them to contact us?
 
I want to know where the boys were helping Mr Evans at? Was that ever checked out? I would like to talk to this guy myself. I wouldn't worry too much about the phone call or calls It was probably some crazy person. We'd never find them after all of this time.
 
One thing that bothers me about this case is that I keep seeing conflicting information.

Right! Conflicting alright, Marion.

TPP, where'd ya see that at? I mean the family member who posted at the end of the article. That's a good idea.

Teresa I think the call is significant. The caller used the term "youth house" and that cop said Essex County is the only place they call juvie that.

Man, I wouldn't want to talk to that guy. I'd be afraid.:eek:
 
I just read the article from the Star Ledger that Marion posted It's strange how this newspaper said a few different things that the other newspapers didn't. The other's say the phone call was made but not what was said. I thought it was possibly a prank but now I am not so sure. It would have been a long distance phone call and I don't see a prankster spending money to do that. Why would they be in a youth facility in D.C and how did they get there? I wonder if LAE had them doing something illegal and someone caught them in the act. There are many possibilities. I also think it's strange that they were seen at different times through the evening. Where were the others at when 2 were seen etc.
 
Right! Conflicting alright, Marion.

TPP, where'd ya see that at? I mean the family member who posted at the end of the article. That's a good idea.

Teresa I think the call is significant. The caller used the term "youth house" and that cop said Essex County is the only place they call juvie that.

Man, I wouldn't want to talk to that guy. I'd be afraid.:eek:

Link

At the end of this article. I am assuming it was someone close to one of the victims. It says "You are in my heart. We will find you"
 
IF Lee Evans did kill all of these boys where and how did he dispose of their bodies. I don't think he could have done it alone at least not in my opinion. Does anybody know how big of a guy Evans is? I had a friend shot and killed in Newark about 20 years ago. He owned a college book store there. They never have found out who killed him. They do know that robbery wasn't the motive. He was a good guy that's what makes it even harder for his family to understand why. There wasn't a reason for anybody to kill him. The same way there wasn't any reason to kill these 5 boys.
 
I found a few boys about the right age on doe network. I wonder if they have been compared to any of these boys?
 
Bumping this up for the boys and the families that have missed them all these years.
 
Hi, TL. Funny I just read this thread a few minutes ago and was thinking of you and here you are! What a strange case, huh? Unfortunately, I have a feeling since they are black and male its certainly not going to get out in the public eye very much.
 
I have read here in the posts where some are thinking of finding any family members, after reading a few of the articles I read where they do have a yearly gathering as a memorial, They gave the information of it being held at
Clinton Avenue Presbyterian Church
address is 761 Clinton Ave.
Newark, NJ 07108

The Pastor leading this service was Rev. Alfred Johnson
phone # is 973-372-8404

Just thought I'd put this info up since if any family is still around and could give info I would think they could be contacted through this church.

About the phone call that came later from Washing DC, imo that was just someone trying to scam the family, they asked for 750.00 for their information.

VB
 
I believe it's possible Evans may have picked up the boys in 2 batches and delivered them somewhere, all 5 of them. I further believe it's possible the boys were hired to do a "job" of some sort for someone Evans knew, a truck heist being a possibility. It's further possible some of the boys got caught and incarcerated, hence the telephone call, while the others may have been killed to keep them from talking. I also believe it possible the boys in the youth centre were most likely gotten out, bail, whatever, and likewise disposed of.

Newark was a crime-ridden city with corruption in high places, and being so close to Manhattan, the Mafia may have been involved. I believe the field by the airport was as good a place as any to look, but there were also swamps, the Pine Barrens, etc. If no one talked, it would appear the crime was committed by one or more organized perps.

There's no way 5 young men just ran off the face of the earth without a little help.

My opinion only.
 
I highly doubt the Mafia had anything to do with this at all. They wouldn't have ever hired a black person to do anything for them either. Newark is a very bad city today. I am not so sure it was that bad back then. I believe that the police didn't spend much time working this case because the boys were black. I also doubt they did anything illegal From what the family said it seemed like they were good kids. Only one even had a record and they were still in school which says a lot about them. I think that Evans knows exactly what happened. I don't care if he did pass a polygraph. The Pine Barrens is a long ways from Newark. I can't see a single person driving all that way with 5 dead bodies and then finding a place to bury them.
 
I highly doubt the Mafia had anything to do with this at all. They wouldn't have ever hired a black person to do anything for them either. Newark is a very bad city today. I am not so sure it was that bad back then. I believe that the police didn't spend much time working this case because the boys were black. I also doubt they did anything illegal From what the family said it seemed like they were good kids. Only one even had a record and they were still in school which says a lot about them. I think that Evans knows exactly what happened. I don't care if he did pass a polygraph. The Pine Barrens is a long ways from Newark. I can't see a single person driving all that way with 5 dead bodies and then finding a place to bury them.

"I highly doubt the Mafia had anything to do with this at all. They wouldn't have ever hired a black person to do anything for them either. "

I was never a part of the Mafia, but I do know they often needed strong backs and weren't always real picky where they came from. If a contractor they knew could supply the workers, I don't believe that would have been a problem.

"Newark is a very bad city today. I am not so sure it was that bad back then."

Newark may be a bad city now, but it was MUCH WORSE back then. I always research the history of the area where a crime/whatever takes place. Look into it, you'll find Newark is just about "renovated" now compared to what it used to be. During that time period, 3 mayors were indicted on charges and two went to jail.

"I believe that the police didn't spend much time working this case because the boys were black."

Actually, the police didn't spend much time on that many cases, white or black - unless you were high profile in some way.

"I also doubt they did anything illegal From what the family said it seemed like they were good kids. Only one even had a record and they were still in school which says a lot about them. "

You have no idea if these boys would do anything illegal or not and all families say their children are good kids. That said, these boys may not have known they were going to do anything "illegal". They may have simply gone to do a job for a man whom they have worked for previously. However, I don't believe it does the case or anyone any good to paint people with saintly colors. Most young men in the bowels of a corrupt city MIGHT have had an inkling of what went on, but who knows, I sure don't.

"I think that Evans knows exactly what happened. I don't care if he did pass a polygraph."

Quite possibly he did if he was the one who picked up the boys to "do a job" at that hour of the night.

"The Pine Barrens is a long ways from Newark. I can't see a single person driving all that way with 5 dead bodies and then finding a place to bury them."

Yes, it is a long way, but I also wrote, there were plenty of swamps and other places around Newark, Manhatten, and Bergen County that were equally qualified and well-used as burial grounds. I'll just betcha
all the voices heard in the Meadowlands aren't from people still living. I'll also betcha the guy who killed a woman in one state, rented a refrigerated truck, stashed her body in it, then drove home to another state and parked her in the driveway for a couple of months wasn't something most people thought anyone would do either. There's lottsa strange things going on - it's a jungle out there and it doesn't pay to cannonize anyone - for ALL have sinned . . .

My opinion only.
 
Well said, Blackwatch.

I could even see Lee Evans as knowing nothing that happened. You truly never know. Perhaps he did drop them off and they went off on their own and got into some kind of trouble. It happens to 'good kids' all the time.

I'm interested in the phone call.
 

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