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

[jjonez]

unless we prove he is deceased, which is what we are trying to figure out how to do without having him legally declared dead until the SSA info comes back.

Catch 22.

I can see, of course, that his SSN would help the search. Did I read read that the detective is working on that?
I don’t see how his DD214 would help at this point. What’s your angle there? What am I missing?
What else were you hoping to find in his service record?

FWIW, i believe he is still alive, MOO.

 

[jjonez]

@megs1477, you seem to have a lot of inside information. Do you have a personal connection to SM/Snoangel?

 

[nhmemorymaker]

The record that @megs1477 was able to obtain only gave very little information. It gave us his duty station and what he did, plus his multiple AWOL's. I have been trying to get his whole service record. Without his SSN i am unable to determine if he is deceased or alive.

Is it possible to try to track down the commanding officer, listed on this record. Sometimes, officers do remember ones with a number of awols, even though so long ago.

 

[Snoangel26]

Is it possible to try to track down the commanding officer, listed on this record. Sometimes, officers do remember ones with a number of awols, even though so long ago.

I have a hard time reading the name. Not so clear.

 

[jjonez]

I have a hard time reading the name. Not so clear.

FWIW, though I find the earliest signatures difficult to decipher, the signatures involved in SM’s UAs seem pretty legible to me. I read them (from bottom to top) as…

P. C. Allen
P. C. Allen
R. E. Pendleton
R. E. Pendleton
R. E. Lee
R. E. Lee
J. R. Henniken ?
illegible

 

[jjonez]

IMO this is worth noting.
While it is certainly possible that SM has been using his own SSN (with his own name, or an assumed name) since his disappearance, it is equally plausible that he acquired a fraudulent SSN (under his own name, or an assumed name). That was easier to achieve in the 70s than it would be today. It is also possible that he is living in a place or manner that doesn’t require use of a SSN.

All to say, when you acquire his SSN or figure it out on your own, and/or if you are somehow able to discover whether there has been activity connected to it since SM’s disappearance, a lack of activity would not necessarily prove that he is deceased.

 

[doublestop]

Is it possible to obtain Steve's high school transcript? I'm curious if he took Spanish. A marine going AWOL from Camp Pendleton could easily end up in Mexico.

 

[jjonez]

@Snoangel26 has spoken to them and they do not know.
The Detective has not interviewed all of the family members.

Does the detective intend to interview all of the family members? I understand that this may not be a priority case for the detectives of the Tulsa OK PD, but that seems like it should be among the first steps in a missing persons case.

Also, has anyone posted a copy of the MP report? If it is posted in the thread, I have missed it.

 

[Snoangel26]

IMO this is worth noting.
While it is certainly possible that SM has been using his own SSN (with his own name, or an assumed name) since his disappearance, it is equally plausible that he acquired a fraudulent SSN (under his own name, or an assumed name). That was easier to achieve in the 70s than it would be today. It is also possible that he is living in a place or manner that doesn’t require use of a SSN.

All to say, when you acquire his SSN or figure it out on your own, and/or if you are somehow able to discover whether there has been activity connected to it since SM’s disappearance, a lack of activity would not necessarily prove that he is deceased.

That is so true. But I figured I would gather everything possible and exhauste all avenues and searches before declaring him deceased

 

[Snoangel26]

Is it possible to obtain Steve's high school transcript? I'm curious if he took Spanish. A marine going AWOL from Camp Pendleton could easily end up in Mexico.

I've tried to get high school transcripts. They wouldn't release to me without permission

 

[Snoangel26]

Does the detective intend to interview all of the family members? I understand that this may not be a priority case for the detectives of the Tulsa OK PD, but that seems like it should be among the first steps in a missing persons case.

Also, has anyone posted a copy of the MP report? If it is posted in the thread, I have missed it.

I don't know if the detective spoke with the family that I gave him names and numbers for. The detective told me in order to get copy of the report I would have to request it from their records department.

 

[iamshadow21]

That is so true. But I figured I would gather everything possible and exhauste all avenues and searches before declaring him deceased

To be honest, if he IS alive and you make things awkward for him by beginning the paperwork, ALL THAT IS FIXABLE. Annoying for him maybe, but fixable, and you will know for sure that he's alive, he just doesn't want contact.

If he is dead, then you are advocating for him in a way nobody else has in fifty years.

Your motives are admirable. Your motives aren't about ruining his life or getting an inheritance - what you fear, why you ended up here, at WS, is that he died decades ago, and whether he was found or not, is that nobody has identified him. Or that nobody knew to look for him at all.

I've been following this thread for months. I've been so impressed with your determination, despite hitting roadblocks at every turn. You genuinely care about getting answers, but also about the impact you might have if he is alive.

I can't choose for you, but if I was in your shoes, I think it'd be time for me to seriously consider beginning the process of having him declared deceased. The people on the government side of things will be able to investigate in a way you can't - so if he's alive, they may find this out. And if they can't find evidence of him being alive and it's successful, you may get access to all the things you've been struggling to get, particularly his SSN.

Good luck, however you move forward. I'll be here cheering you on, whatever.

MOO

 

[nhmemorymaker]

IMO this is worth noting.
While it is certainly possible that SM has been using his own SSN (with his own name, or an assumed name) since his disappearance, it is equally plausible that he acquired a fraudulent SSN (under his own name, or an assumed name). That was easier to achieve in the 70s than it would be today. It is also possible that he is living in a place or manner that doesn’t require use of a SSN.

All to say, when you acquire his SSN or figure it out on your own, and/or if you are somehow able to discover whether there has been activity connected to it since SM’s disappearance, a lack of activity would not necessarily prove that he is deceased.

I agree. I keep thinking, if alive, he is under a totally new name and SSN.

 

[#JUSTICE4WILDER]

Well said @iamshadow21 !
I agree with everything you said and also am in awe of the consistency of @Snoangel26 in responding to each post offering thoughts and advice on other steps to take or look into. There have been times I've wanted to bang my head on my desk for her yet her level headed responding is pleasant to see. I also will be here lurking and hoping for the day I see her search ended in most, if not all of the unanswered questions.
ETA I changed the last if from of

 

[jjonez]

That is so true. But I figured I would gather everything possible and exhauste all avenues and searches before declaring him deceased

Of course.

I just had a crazy idea.
What is the modern equivalent of posting in the newspaper for x number of weeks? Is it something online?
Sometimes, when a person’s records are being poked and prodded, they become aware of that by one means or another. If SM is alive and knows that someone is looking into his business, he may be on alert, fearing that his past may catch up with him. If you were to make public the fact that you intend to have him declared deceased if there is no response in x amount of time, it may push him to take some sort of action.

 

[jjonez]

I don't know if the detective spoke with the family that I gave him names and numbers for. The detective told me in order to get copy of the report I would have to request it from their records department.

It sounds like that detective may need some prodding.

And you have not requested said report?
I would put in that request as well as a request for any records attached to his name. Something could pop up. I know the detective told you there was nothing but a juvenile record, but going at it from a different angle could knock something loose.

 

[jjonez]

I agree. I keep thinking, if alive, he is under a totally new name and SSN.

Yes. Sadly, it is my opinion that he is alive, hidden, and does not want to be “found”.

 

[#JUSTICE4WILDER]

@megs1477, you seem to have a lot of inside information. Do you have a personal connection to SM/Snoangel?

From my understanding as a follower of this thread since day one, @megs1288 has been so gracious to volunteer @Snoangel26 her help with bringing awareness to her search for answer's and the two are working together to get a video with the VIP details to share on other internet sites. However, I understand the question didn't ask anyone else to respond but I feel like I can assist you with an abbreviated response for what it's worth.
I have come across at least one fb page where the details were carried over to involve more views and reach a larger audience. MOO
ETA I left out the word one in describing the FB page

 

[jjonez]

.

 

[Snoangel26]

It sounds like that detective may need some prodding.

And you have not requested said report?
I would put in that request as well as a request for any records attached to his name. Something could pop up. I know the detective told you there was nothing but a juvenile record, but going at it from a different angle could knock something loose.

I do know there is a juvenile record. According to the detective they are trying to locate said record.