OK OK - Kenneth Spencer, 85, Tecumseh, July 6 1988

[sonz82]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

MISSING
Missing Person / NamUs #MP74356Kenneth William Spencer, Male, White / Caucasian
Date of Last ContactJuly 6, 1988
Missing FromTecumseh, Oklahoma

Case Information



Demographics
Missing Age85 Years
Current Age117 Years
First NameKenneth
Middle NameWilliam
Last NameSpencer
Nickname/Alias--

SexMale
Height5' 7" (67 Inches)
Weight140 lbs
Race / EthnicityWhite / Caucasian

Circumstances
Date of Last ContactJuly 6, 1988
NamUs Case CreatedOctober 6, 2020
Last Known Location Map
LocationTecumseh, Oklahoma 74873
CountyPottawatomie County
Missing From Tribal LandNo
Primary Residence on Tribal LandNo
Circumstances of DisappearanceHis wife reported he walked into the woods just west of the residence just about dark on 7/6/1988 to check on a possible prowler. His wife stated he was carrying a rifle or shotgun when he walked into the woods. His wife stated he never returned to the residence and he hasn't been seen since.
Physical Description
Hair ColorGray or Partially Gray
Head Hair DescriptionHe was balding on top
Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair Description--
Left Eye ColorBrown
Right Eye ColorBrown
Eye Description--
Distinctive Physical Features
Item
Description
Scar/mark
His US World War II Draft Card notes he had a burn scar under his arm (Unknown which)


Clothing and Accessories
Item
Description
Eyewear
Wore eye glasses

Additional Case Info

Transportation
No Information Entered

 

[sonz82]

Close up photo

 

[funkychicken]

I just stumbled upon this case and he reminds me SO MUCH of my grandpa that recently passed. So naturally I had to dive in to see what all I could find out. I found an article that says him and his wife never had any children. I'll attach the link, the article has a different middle name listed but eery other detail lines up, so I was assuming it was about his. The article states that there were human remains found near Harjo, about 10 miles from Tecumseh according to Google Maps. I will attempt to quote some of the article on here

A landowner searching for deer shed antlers on a vast and densely-wooded property in the Harjo area found a partial human skull last Wednesday and deputies believe the discovery could help them solve a missing persons case from nearly 30 years ago.

..."Once they combed the area, they found more human bones and even a pair of boots"

On July 9, 1988, Kenneth Lester Spencer, who was listed in the News-Star story as being in his early 80s at that time, was reported missing. A massive search commenced on areas of his 170-acre property, but he was never found.

Based on a property search, Booth said the land where the remains were found was owned by Spencer at one time — the bones were located about one-fourth of a mile from where the house is located.

“We don’t know for certain if this is our missing person,” Booth said, adding they do need to find some of Spencer’s relatives in hopes of using DNA to help make a positive match.

..."hope to find someone who may know how to contact any of Spencer’s relatives. Palmer, who said the man and his wife reportedly didn’t have any children, hopes there may be nieces, nephews or other relatives they can locate."

I messaged the local police department, listed on the article, to ask if there were any updates and it they located any relatives. I HOPE they located a relative

Investigation ongoing to ID skeletal remains found near Harjo

 

[funkychicken]

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office messaged me back. They first asked "Are you related to the family or just curious?"
I explained that I came across his case and he reminded me of my Grandpap.
They then said "Ok, I understand. The answer is, recently due to some ancestry investigation a distant great niece was identified and a DNA sample was obtained for testing. Hopefully, there will be more developments in the near future with this case but it has not been forgotten. Thanks, Lt. Scott Hawkins"

 

[iulia]

His NamUs page has been removed.

 

[Caring1]

June 26, 2024

On July 9, 1988, Willie Spencer reported to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office that her husband, Kenneth William Spencer, 85, had gone missing. According to Mrs. Spencer, on the evening of either July 6 or July 7, 1988, Mr. Spencer ventured into the wooded area near their residence in Harjo, Oklahoma. He carried a rifle, intending to investigate a potential prowler he suspected was lurking nearby. Unfortunately, Mr. Spencer did not return from the woods.

Sheriff's Office: Human remains found in Harjo in 2017 now identified as 1988 missing Pott. County man - Shawnee News-Star

From the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office On July 9, 1988, Willie Spencer reported to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office that her husband, Kenneth William Spencer, 85, had gone missing. According to Mrs. Spencer, on the evening of either July 6 or July 7, 1988, Mr. Spencer ventured...

www.news-star.com