Case Details
- Photo URLs:
-
- Missing Since:
- Missing Since 12/16/1968
- Missing From:
- Missing From Sylmar, California
- Classification:
- Classification Endangered Missing
- Gender:
- Male
- Race:
- Race White
- Date of Birth:
- Date of Birth 10/13/1953 (71)
- Age:
- Age 15 years old
- Height and Weight:
- Height and Weight 5’8, 145 pounds
- Clothing/Jewelry Description:
- Clothing/Jewelry Description A dark green sweater, light tan trousers and black shoes.
- Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Brown hair, hazel eyes.
- Details of Disappearance:
- In December 1968, 16-year-old Roger disappeared after a fight with his dad in Sylmar, California. He rode off on his motorcycle and was never seen again. His family initially thought he ran away, but now foul play is suspected.
Police believe Mack Ray Edwards, who lived nearby and was a frequent visitor to Roger’s home, was responsible. Edwards was convicted of killing three other children and confessed to killing Roger and two others. He said he lured Roger into an orange grove, killed him, and buried his body under the 23 Freeway in Thousand Oaks (which was under construction at the time). Edwards used a bulldozer, according to his confession.
Edwards, a highway construction worker, was suspected in other children’s disappearances and murders. He led investigators to a possible burial site, but nothing was found. He died by suicide in prison in 1971.
Roger’s case was reopened in 2007. In 2008, a deep search near the 23 Freeway was stopped due to safety concerns, though police believe Roger’s remains are nearby. His sister placed flowers at the search site. Roger’s siblings are still looking for answers.
- Agency:
- Los Angeles Police Department 213-847-0970
- Source Links:
This person was missing Missing Since 12/16/1968