Case Details

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This person was missing Missing Since 02/23/1990

Missing Since:

Missing Since 02/23/1990

Missing From:

Missing From Middle Township, New Jersey

Classification:

Classification Endangered Missing

Gender:

Male

Race:

Race Black

Date of Birth:

Age:

Age 18 years old

Height and Weight:

Height and Weight 5’6 – 5’7, 130 pounds

Clothing/Jewelry Description:

Clothing/Jewelry Description Black sweatpants, a black and gray Adidas sweatshirt, a gray jacket, a black knit Raiders cap and work boots.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Distinguishing Characteristics African-American male. Black hair, brown eyes.

Details of Disappearance:

On February 23, 1990, in Middle Township, New Jersey, a man named White disappeared. He was last seen around 6:00 p.m. leaving his house with his cousin, Jesse Watkins, to cut poles in the woods. White left his belongings, his music playing, and his room unlocked—unusual behavior, especially since he had a young son. His mother didn’t report him missing for a week.

Watkins gave conflicting accounts of where he last saw White. Police suspected jealousy as the motive: Watkins had discovered White was dating his girlfriend. Several people warned White to stay away from Watkins before the disappearance.

Watkins was eventually charged (2007) and convicted (2009) of White’s murder. The prosecution presented witnesses who said Watkins confessed to the crime, though his stories changed. Watkins’s lawyer argued there was no proof White was dead, offering witnesses who claimed to have seen him afterward.

While White faced drug charges, his history of attending court and his lack of a driver’s license made it unlikely he ran away. Watkins allegedly confessed to killing White, describing hitting him with a brick, shooting him, and dumping the body in a river. A friend of Watkins even discussed body disposal methods with him.

The case remains unsolved in the sense that White’s body has never been found, but Watkins’s conviction suggests foul play.

Agency:

Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office

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