Mansfield’s disappearance was suspicious because he was supposed to testify against his former roommate, Russell Smrekar, just six days later. Smrekar had been accused of stealing a guitar and records. Mansfield had already testified against him at the college, leading to Smrekar’s expulsion, and was a key witness in the upcoming court case. Because of Mansfield’s testimony, the charges against Smrekar were dropped after Mansfield disappeared.

Later, Smrekar was involved in another theft, and the witness in *that* case also disappeared. Eventually, Smrekar was convicted of murdering Jay and Robin Fry (Robin was pregnant). Jay Fry was the store clerk who witnessed Smrekar’s theft.

Although never charged, Smrekar was suspected of killing both Mansfield and the other missing witness, Ruth Martin. Before he died in prison in 2011, Smrekar confessed to their murders. Mansfield’s body has never been found, but police closed the case based on Smrekar’s confession.

Mansfield was a good student, loved music, and worked at the college radio station. His family, including siblings in the Chicago area and parents in Florida, held a memorial service for him years after his disappearance.