|
Missing Lou Allen Goettsch 
Goettsch, approximately 1981 Date reported missing : 03/31/1981 Missing location (approx) : Abilene, Texas Missing classification : Endangered Missing Gender : Male Ethnicity : White DOB : 09/26/1959 (61) Age at the time of disappearance: 21 years old Height / Weight : 5'10, 150 pounds Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos : Caucasian male. Brown hair, brown or blue eyes. Goettsch may have a mustache, beard or a goatee. Some Age at the time of disappearance: ncies may spell his middle name "Alan." Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Goettsch was last seen in front of his residence in Abilene, Texas on March 31, 1981. He has never been heard from again. Early in 1981, Goettsch received a $3,000 worker's compensation check for an injury he sustained working in the oil fields. This was the most money he had ever had since completing his military servince in 1980. He opened a checking account, repaid some loans, lent $300 to a friend and rented an apartment. Goettsch was supposed to move his belongings from his trailer into his new apartment on the day of his disappearance, but he never did. He left behind all of his possessions, including his pickup truck, and $1,079 in his bank account. Goettsch led a transient lifestyle at the time of his disappearance. As a result, his family did not report his disappearance for two months. He had a girlfriend in Australia, but he has not contacted her since March 1981. Goettsch was involved with drugs in 1981 and had previously been arrested on a marijuana charge. In 1993, Roney Harper, one of Goettsch's associates, walked into a police station in Walker County, Georgia while intoxicated and confessed to murdering Goettsch. He said he shot and beat him to death because he believed Goettsch was working as an undercover narcotics Age at the time of disappearance: nt. He said he had left the body in a remote field and had not buried or attempted to conceal it. Haney led police to the field, but a search turned up no sign of any human remains. Haney was charged with murder, but recanted his confession afterwards. Authorities could not find any evidence to corroborate his statement, although they believe he had in fact killed Goettsch. The grand jury found insufficient evidence to indict Haney for the murder, and he was released. Investigators stated they would charge Harper with murder again if Goettsch's body or other corroborating evidence was located. Harper's current whereabouts are unknown. Goettsch's disappearance remains unsolved. Foul play is suspected due to the circumstances involved. Other information and links : ncy Abilene Police Department 325-673-8331 September 2021 updates and sources Abilene Police Department Texas Department of Public Safety California Attorney General's Office The Center on Religion and the Professions October 12, 2004. January 15, 2008; Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : updated. |