Found Deceased VA - Richard Schumacher, 69, Bland County, 30 Jul 2018

[dms]

True that, not very often you associate a senior with a crotch rocket.

True. Though my dad stopped riding when he realized he could not necessarily pick up his bike if he accidentally laid it down -- crotch rockets are usually fairly light, aren't they?

 

[Mustang65gal]

Thats an angle I hadnt thought of.. though, it is rumored the bike this gentleman was on didnt belong to him. Im not sure if that is factual though. Also I am wondering why there have been no voluntary or organized searches along St Rt 16, or other rural areas where he might have ridden off in the direction of.. No one seems to know if any cameras from Rt 16 have been looked at. Because it's so windy and curvy and sees lots of bike traffic, there are cameras placed every so many feet..

 

[unicornpff]

I agree with Mustang65gal - where this gentlemen lives it's also very easy access to Tazewell County and I haven't heard of any searches there either. He could be anywhere between Bland to Tazewell to Mercer. If he DID actually ride on Rt 16, he would be caught on one of those numerous cameras along the route. All they have to do is review them and I haven't heard anything about that actually being done.

 

[Mustang65gal]

I feel as though if law enforcement would tell the community of a search, there would be plenty of citizens offering to help in any way possible..

 

[carterkatt]

Mustang and Unicorn.... Did this case bring you to Websleuths?

I've never seen a case like this that seems to have so little interests, very little media, no searches, etc. What do people know that we don't????

 

[Mustang65gal]

It actually did... and I speak for unicornpff as well.... she turned me on to this site... the lack of interest here is very disturbing to say the least.. I mean even if the thought pattern was that this gentleman walked off, or rode off, doesnt he deserve looked for and it proven there wasnt a crime here? Very disconcerting..

 

[carterkatt]

I totally agree. I've been on here for about 10 years... Rarely post.. .but since this is in my "backyard" it drew my interest. I've NEVER seen a case this quiet. I don't understand it. I don't understand why people (family) are not shouting from the roof tops for help, for searches, etc. There's got to be a reason. Do either of you (Unicorn or Mustang) know someone that knows family to know what's going on??? Many times, family members come on here to get help, extra thoughts, opinions, ideas..... All I hear is crickets.....

 

[carterkatt]

I have reached out to two VA people I "know" through here and asked them to come join us and put their two cents in. Not sure if they will.. But.. All the more brains the better!

 

[unicornpff]

Mustang and Unicorn.... Did this case bring you to Websleuths?

I've never seen a case like this that seems to have so little interests, very little media, no searches, etc. What do people know that we don't????

I've been meaning to check out the site forever since hearing about it on true crime podcasts - I listen to SO many and quite the true crime junkie - but yes; this case is what made me finally come.

 

[unicornpff]

I totally agree. I've been on here for about 10 years... Rarely post.. .but since this is in my "backyard" it drew my interest. I've NEVER seen a case this quiet. I don't understand it. I don't understand why people (family) are not shouting from the roof tops for help, for searches, etc. There's got to be a reason. Do either of you (Unicorn or Mustang) know someone that knows family to know what's going on??? Many times, family members come on here to get help, extra thoughts, opinions, ideas..... All I hear is crickets.....

I don't know any family personally; well enough to ask questions anyways but I do find it very concerning there isn't more being done. As Mustang said; even if he did decide to leave on his own accord shouldn't they have to have facts proving such and until then consider him in danger? And if they DO know that's what happened - update the community so some of us aren't worrying about his well-being? It's so upsetting to know someone can go missing like this and it seems as if most are shrugging their shoulders and dismissing the possible severity of the situation.

 

[Mustang65gal]

Exactly!!!! You know, because of this situation, I've reevaluated things I do in my normal every day life.. and my boyfriend travels a good deal, so now Im like.. how many missed calls and texts before you alert authorities or my friends there might be an issue.. or Im driving up this random road and nobody knows where I am, and if something happens I cant depend on anybody to look for me.. I've even told Unicorn, if I dont message you or dont post on social media for 24 hours, consider me missing..

I just have trouble fathoming a loved one being missing and me not taking to any available resource for answers.. If I wasnt being satisfied locally, I cant imagine not calling WVVA or WSLS or not wall papering social media and store fronts with missing signs..

 

[carterkatt]

I agree w/ both of you! I would HOPE if I was missing my family would check my phone GPS, make some noise and search!! (Even if they think I just took off on purpose, I would HOPE they would want to find me! LOL!) That's what makes me wonder if there is some "elephant in the room" we don't know about.

 

[unicornpff]

I agree w/ both of you! I would HOPE if I was missing my family would check my phone GPS, make some noise and search!! (Even if they think I just took off on purpose, I would HOPE they would want to find me! LOL!) That's what makes me wonder if there is some "elephant in the room" we don't know about.

Agreed and supposedly there hasn't been any sign of bank account activity, etc. Perhaps he saved up before he split? Very possible but still I'd think law enforcement would have to confirm he's safe - can't just be dismissed and if it has been - so concerning!

 

[carterkatt]

As we sort of discussed before, I wonder if he's ill?

 

[Mustang65gal]

I had wondered that, just by the difference in the picture they're using on the missing flyer as opposed to the picture on that newly created FB page... I didnt know him from the local IGA , where he apparently worked part time, but people who frequent that store have made mention they didnt recognize him from the poster... they didnt realize it was the same person until much later..

 

[carterkatt]

I had wondered that, just by the difference in the picture they're using on the missing flyer as opposed to the picture on that newly created FB page... I didnt know him from the local IGA , where he apparently worked part time, but people who frequent that store have made mention they didnt recognize him from the poster... they didnt realize it was the same person until much later..

That is really interesting... Wonder why the family used a pic that doesn't look like him???

 

[mrsNKY]

Schumacher has been known to ride a route known as the Back of the Dragon, a 32-mile stretch on Virginia Route 16, according to the sheriff’s office.

http://www.bdtonline.com/news/local_news/missing-man-sought-in-bland-county/article_b138a8d2-9cbd-5fea-95ad-85006c4e722f.html

 

[carterkatt]

So... Any searches along that route??

Thanks for the info, MrsNKY.

 

[Mustang65gal]

No, not that anyone in the nearby area has heard of..

No one has ever confirmed exactly WHO that information came from either..

 

[carterkatt]

Well... I called Bland County Sheriff's Office yesterday and asked to speak to someone about his case. I was told the Deputy Chief was handling that investigation, was not in, but told me to leave a message. I did. Left 2 contact phone numbers. No return call.