OK OK - Stephen “Steve” Lee Murphy, last seen in Claremore sometime in 1976, not reported missing until July 2022

[OddOneOut]

Did they find her?

Yes, and it didn't take very long.

 

[megs1477]

Yes, and it didn't take very long.

These days, pretty much all of the records you previously had to pay for are available for free online. I have personally run down every living Stephen Murphy within several years of his age (to the point of stalking their Facebook…one was a strong possibility until I found his birth record finally). If Stephen Lee Murphy is alive in the US, he is using a different name and/ date of birth, or he is living off the grid by todays standards with no documented address, no social media presence, criminal record, etc.
I have searched archives.gov for any mention of him in military records. There is a Stephen Murphy who recently retired from the Air Force or Marines in CA but he has a different middle name and date of birth.
I’ve been through the SS death index in every possible way. I’ve search public records for any trace of an address or any record on ancestry, or newspaper mention in the last 40 years.
I even went through 20 years worth of military criminal records. Maybe he’s locked up in Leavenworth. This is only a few of what I have checked, yet every Avenue has come up empty.
Between this case and the shoe print! They keep me up at night. I hate not finding the answer.

 

[John/Jane Doe]

I know that where things are at right now, it’s unclear if Stephen was discharged in 1984 or if he was indeed last heard from in 1976… However, I couldn’t help but see that his description also lined up with at least 2 of John Wayne Gacy’s unidentified victims. I hope this doesn’t come across as insensitive, but has there ever been an attempt to try to match him up with one of them? My understanding of the Gacy victims is that they have put in a lot of effort to identify them so perhaps they would be more willing to spend money on DNA matching for a viable link (perhaps expediting some of the backlog)?

There are still 5 victims unidentified, mostly presumed deceased between 1972-1978, with two specifically in 1976.

https:///wiki/Body_21

https:///wiki/Body_26

https:///wiki/Body_28

Unidentified Victims John Wayne Gacy

www.cookcountysheriff.org

I thought he lined up most with 28, but that victim was presumed dead in 1974. Others he may have similarity to are 21 or 26, both assumed deceased in mid-late 1976.

Here’s information on how they are using dna testing (outside of Namus etc) to identify victims and how to submit tips: John Wayne Gacy Victim Identified

I hope this isn’t the case but thought it may be an avenue to explore…

Here is the thread of the unidentified victims of John Wayne Gacy:

IL - IL - The Unidentified Victims of John Wayne Gacy

I noticed that the unidentified victims of John Wayne Gacy do not have listings on Doe Network. Were they ever identified? I know that there were nine unidentified boys/men and that Betty Pat Gatliff made reconstructions. I wonder if they were ever id'd based on the reconstructions she made.

www.websleuths.com

 

[RememberingRyan]

I think he is most similar to Body 21. I believe he is most likely to have died between June and August 1976 as he was directly above William Carroll who was placed in the crawlspace on June 13, 1976. As we know, Stephen went missing in May 1976 which is what his NamUs says, a perfect match of the dates if you discount all the army records.

Also, just something about the reconstruction just looks so similar to Stephen. I can't put my finger on it though.

I agree. In the improbable chance that he were one of Gacy's five unidentified I would favor #21 as well. SLM's upper height range would align with the UID's lower height range, and his facial features look reasonably similar - in proportions, distances between features, length of nose, width of mouth, and even what looks like a mild underbite. Definitely a long shot, especially without any evidence for why/how SLM might have traveled to Illinois, but it would be worth asking for a comparison.

 

[Snoangel26]

I hope that this avenue proves helpful in learning more what happened to Stephen. What also seemed hopeful to me is that they are actively pursuing leads and spending resources for dna in ways that reach beyond this case: “In the process, the Sheriff’s Office also solved four cold case deaths, unrelated to Gacy, located five missing persons alive, and two missing persons who had died without their families’ knowledge.”

I haven't heard anything from them as of yet. Still hopeful for a response.

 

[Snoangel26]

Have you looked into using a People Finder service. Back in 2008 or 2009, after my mother died, my father paid someone several hundred dollars to find an old girlfriend for him. He hadn't had any contact with her since 1950 or earlier. He didn't know her SSN or anything else other than her maiden name, what city and state she lived in when he dated her, approximate age, and possibly her mother's name.

I think that was something I looked at. But don't have the money right now for it. I'll check it out again tho

 

[Snoangel26]

These days, pretty much all of the records you previously had to pay for are available for free online. I have personally run down every living Stephen Murphy within several years of his age (to the point of stalking their Facebook…one was a strong possibility until I found his birth record finally). If Stephen Lee Murphy is alive in the US, he is using a different name and/ date of birth, or he is living off the grid by todays standards with no documented address, no social media presence, criminal record, etc.
I have searched archives.gov for any mention of him in military records. There is a Stephen Murphy who recently retired from the Air Force or Marines in CA but he has a different middle name and date of birth.
I’ve been through the SS death index in every possible way. I’ve search public records for any trace of an address or any record on ancestry, or newspaper mention in the last 40 years.
I even went through 20 years worth of military criminal records. Maybe he’s locked up in Leavenworth. This is only a few of what I have checked, yet every Avenue has come up empty.
Between this case and the shoe print! They keep me up at night. I hate not finding the answer.

According to his fingerprints being ran, they didn't cone up with any criminal activity. I also search social security death index. And came up empty. I also search his name using hos father's middle name, his step dad last name, also his mothers maiden name. No luck that way either.

 

[iamshadow21]

I agree. In the improbable chance that he were one of Gacy's five unidentified I would favor #21 as well. SLM's upper height range would align with the UID's lower height range, and his facial features look reasonably similar - in proportions, distances between features, length of nose, width of mouth, and even what looks like a mild underbite. Definitely a long shot, especially without any evidence for why/how SLM might have traveled to Illinois, but it would be worth asking for a comparison.

I'm not generally a fan of clay reconstructs (with the exception of the late Frank Bender's) because they tend to look all alike, cartoonish, or way too old for the Doe... but I see the resemblance. Definitely worth a check, if for no other reason than to rule out the possibility that it's Stephen.

 

[Laughing]

According to his fingerprints being ran, they didn't cone up with any criminal activity. I also search social security death index. And came up empty. I also search his name using hos father's middle name, his step dad last name, also his mothers maiden name. No luck that way either.

Such a strong person, @Snoangel26 ! Anyone would be proud to claim you as their child!

 

[Snoangel26]

Such a strong person, @Snoangel26 ! Anyone would be proud to claim you as their child!

Thank you very much

 

[Snoangel26]

I'm not generally a fan of clay reconstructs (with the exception of the late Frank Bender's) because they tend to look all alike, cartoonish, or way too old for the Doe... but I see the resemblance. Definitely worth a check, if for no other reason than to rule out the possibility that it's Stephen.

I sent an email. Hoping they reply.

 

[iamshadow21]

I sent an email. Hoping they reply.

It feels crass to say good luck, because there is no 'good' answer to be had. I guess I'm hoping you get a response at all. I know it's been very hard getting any kind of traction with officials, both military and civilian. So, I'm crossing my fingers for a response, and thinking of you, at this time.

 

[Forhope]

Re which of the Gacy victims he could be (between 21, 26 or 28):

From what I’ve read, they appear to be matching up any probable missing people to all of the remaining likely victims, so it may not matter which one. The most important thing seems to be submitting possible MPs who aren’t in the system.

I agree about 21 being the closest of the of the two in 1976. Many descriptors stood out to me about 28 though too. Honestly, 21 and 28 were very very close matches based on the little we know about Stephen. I also like to keep an open mind… it wouldn’t be the first time someone was reported after a long time where details about which exact day, month or year were a bit off…

 

[Snoangel26]

It feels crass to say good luck, because there is no 'good' answer to be had. I guess I'm hoping you get a response at all. I know it's been very hard getting any kind of traction with officials, both military and civilian. So, I'm crossing my fingers for a response, and thinking of you, at this time.

Thank you. I do believe that they want to keep things to themselves. But I won't give up looking for answers. As my husband likes to tell me, I'm either left or right field no center.

 

[heartanium]

Hi there. First I am sorry that you are going through this but I commend your efforts on trying to find your father. I have two suggestions for possible matches:

The first is NamUs #UP5061

The second is NamUs #UP5061

 

[minneolo]

@Snoangel26 - this is just heart wrenching. I too am surprised at your fathers’ family’s seeming lack of interest in supporting your search. It does seem odd - but families can be odd.

I have two thoughts - neither are super novel, but maybe you get lucky.

If you live in/near a major city, I would go visit the VA in person. I’d share that you have service dates, name, DOB, and a few other pieces of info but you’ve been told there are no matches. I’d ask the VA folks to help you by pointing you towards pieces of info or items that would help the search. If the VA was nearby, I’d probably do this several times. Maybe you get lucky and someone feels moved by your story.

As for DNA, are you finding any matches at all on your paternal side? I know you mentioned no siblings, but plausibly there could be a wing to your father’s family who has more information? Your father was quite young when last seen - perhaps he got some support from another part of the family?

 

[Snoangel26]

@Snoangel26 - this is just heart wrenching. I too am surprised at your fathers’ family’s seeming lack of interest in supporting your search. It does seem odd - but families can be odd.

I have two thoughts - neither are super novel, but maybe you get lucky.

If you live in/near a major city, I would go visit the VA in person. I’d share that you have service dates, name, DOB, and a few other pieces of info but you’ve been told there are no matches. I’d ask the VA folks to help you by pointing you towards pieces of info or items that would help the search. If the VA was nearby, I’d probably do this several times. Maybe you get lucky and someone feels moved by your story.

As for DNA, are you finding any matches at all on your paternal side? I know you mentioned no siblings, but plausibly there could be a wing to your father’s family who has more information? Your father was quite young when last seen - perhaps he got some support from another part of the family?

I'll look to see which one can help. The matches I've found on paternal side haven't been any help.

 

[Snoangel26]

Hope everyone had a good holiday. I don't have any new news yet

 

[megs1477]

Hope everyone had a good holiday. I don't have any new news yet

I hope you had a very nice holiday and the answers you seek await you in the new year!

I have a couple things that may or may not be helpful at this point.
1 - I tried to put together a timeline. There aren't a lot of facts and I am not positive if it is helpful, but it is helpful to me to see all the facts in one place. Please let me know if I am missing anything.

Sutori

Presentations for the classroom in a unique timeline format. On Sutori, teachers and students create a variety of projects, assignments and portfolios. Perfect for the flipped classroom and collaborative work, Sutori's student-first approach brings the best out of your curriculum and lesson plans.

www.sutori.com

2 - Have you thought about making a video you can share on various social media? I have been learning video editing and would be happy to help you make a short video if you think it would be beneficial.

3 - I wasn't sure if I ever searched the San Onofre area before. I found this in a newspaper in the early 80s. I am not great at matching up photos, so if anyone wants to take a look... The store is located less than 20 miles from Camp Pendleton.

Article clipped from Daily Times-Advocate

Clipping found in Daily Times-Advocate published in Escondido, California on 9/8/1983.

www.newspapers.com

 

[Snoangel26]

I hope you had a very nice holiday and the answers you seek await you in the new year!

I have a couple things that may or may not be helpful at this point.
1 - I tried to put together a timeline. There aren't a lot of facts and I am not positive if it is helpful, but it is helpful to me to see all the facts in one place. Please let me know if I am missing anything.

Sutori

Presentations for the classroom in a unique timeline format. On Sutori, teachers and students create a variety of projects, assignments and portfolios. Perfect for the flipped classroom and collaborative work, Sutori's student-first approach brings the best out of your curriculum and lesson plans.

www.sutori.com

2 - Have you thought about making a video you can share on various social media? I have been learning video editing and would be happy to help you make a short video if you think it would be beneficial.

3 - I wasn't sure if I ever searched the San Onofre area before. I found this in a newspaper in the early 80s. I am not great at matching up photos, so if anyone wants to take a look... The store is located less than 20 miles from Camp Pendleton.

Article clipped from Daily Times-Advocate

Clipping found in Daily Times-Advocate published in Escondido, California on 9/8/1983.

www.newspapers.com

View attachment 391826

Thank you for sharing. Side view is little hard to determine. I don't know what I would say in a video or even where to put one.