Just watched this segment again. He was a schoolteacher from the Baltimore, Maryland area. He purchased a car from a man named Dennis Watson in January of 1983. Two months later Watson was arrested for selling stolen cars and the car Munson purchased was stolen. Oliver was scheduled to testify against Watson in court on February 16, 1984, but three days before the trial he vanished while on his way to school. The next day his car was found abandoned a few blocks from his home. This wasn't the first time something happened to witnesses who were set to testify against Watson. In the 70's, two witnesses died under mysterious circumstances. They were both supposed to testify against Dennis Watson for a robbery he committed. One was burned in his car and the other died of a drug overdose. Munson's disappearance did not affect the outcome of Watson's trial. He was convicted and sent to 10 years in prison, but was paroled in 1989 after serving half his term. I believe Oliver Munson is gone. I just want to know if there have been any further updates to his disappearance.

There haven't been any updates to this case. However, it's such a coincidence that he disappeared not to long after he had agreed to testify. Considering Watson's history, it would only be natural to think that he was somehow involved in Oliver's disappearance. But there hasn't been any concrete evidence to link him.

he could have had an outside contact do him in.
after all somebody like him has friends who do the dirty work for him.

he could have had an outside contact do him in.
after all somebody like him has friends who do the dirty work for him.


This is what makes me so mad at this case. If they knew that witnesses against Dennis watson had the tendency to turn up dead or missing, why didn't the police prvoide Oliver with some kind of protection??? :( :mad:

Oliver Wendell Munson's profile has been updated on doenetwork:
http://www.doenetwork.org/
Case File 2006DMMD

Circumstances of Disappearance
Munson, a bachelor and somewhat of a recluse, was last seen in 600 block of Orpington Road in Catonsville, Maryland on February 13, 1984. At 7:50 a.m., a neighbor saw Munson leaving his home, alone apparently heading to work.
Wendell was a industrial arts high school teacher in Howard County, MD, and never arrived at school.
He had an occasional girlfriend, but on weekends he often left town to visit his mother and two brothers on the Eastern Shore.
His family reported him missing the next day, February. 14, after checking his home.

On February 16, the 1980 Ford Pinto belonging to Munson is found parked on Braeside Road in Catonsville, about two blocks from his home. The right front tire is flat, apparently due to a slow leak. In it was his touring cap, he usually wore, and had his lunch bag and school notebook on the front seat.

Munson hobby was working on the old cars that littered his yard. Investigators believe that he may have been murdered in retaliation of testifying against an auto theft ring. Mr. Munson had unknowingly bought a blue 1973 Datsun 240Z car from a ring member the year before he disappeared. This car had been stollen the on the morning of Munson's disappearance.
On February 27, the blue 1973 Datsun 240Z that had been stolen was recovered at the edge of Leakin Park in West Baltimore.
In the car were two business receipts with Munson's name, traces of unidentified blood, and a small-caliber shell casing.

His body may have been dumped or buried somewhere, perhaps in Leakin Park, near where the stolen car was later found. February 28, 1984 City police searched Leakin Park without success.

ON May 28, 1985 Munson was legally declared dead, the victim of "presumptive homicide," his body was never found.

I never understood why Munson didn't get the protection from the police. He was set to testify against a dangerous dude, whose reputation had to be known by the cops for witnesses against him dying/disappearing.

I never understood why Munson didn't get the protection from the police. He was set to testify against a dangerous dude, whose reputation had to be known by the cops for witnesses against him dying/disappearing.

Yeah mystifying hey :confused:

I wouldn't be surprised if Denis Watson is in prison now serving time for some sort of crime. He was paroled for the car dealership fraud in 1989.

Completely dumb police work on this one. Surely they knew of Watson's previous crimes in relation witnesses. They are partly to blame for Munson's prediciment.

Oliver Wendell Munson's profile has been updated on doenetwork:
http://www.doenetwork.org/
Case File 2006DMMD

Circumstances of Disappearance
Munson, a bachelor and somewhat of a recluse, was last seen in 600 block of Orpington Road in Catonsville, Maryland on February 13, 1984. At 7:50 a.m., a neighbor saw Munson leaving his home, alone apparently heading to work.
Wendell was a industrial arts high school teacher in Howard County, MD, and never arrived at school.
He had an occasional girlfriend, but on weekends he often left town to visit his mother and two brothers on the Eastern Shore.
His family reported him missing the next day, February. 14, after checking his home.

On February 16, the 1980 Ford Pinto belonging to Munson is found parked on Braeside Road in Catonsville, about two blocks from his home. The right front tire is flat, apparently due to a slow leak. In it was his touring cap, he usually wore, and had his lunch bag and school notebook on the front seat.

Munson hobby was working on the old cars that littered his yard. Investigators believe that he may have been murdered in retaliation of testifying against an auto theft ring. Mr. Munson had unknowingly bought a blue 1973 Datsun 240Z car from a ring member the year before he disappeared. This car had been stollen the on the morning of Munson's disappearance.
On February 27, the blue 1973 Datsun 240Z that had been stolen was recovered at the edge of Leakin Park in West Baltimore.
In the car were two business receipts with Munson's name, traces of unidentified blood, and a small-caliber shell casing.

His body may have been dumped or buried somewhere, perhaps in Leakin Park, near where the stolen car was later found. February 28, 1984 City police searched Leakin Park without success.

ON May 28, 1985 Munson was legally declared dead, the victim of "presumptive homicide," his body was never found.

The police really did screw this up.
One question I had: Munson was a bachelor. Was he also gay?
That would explain how somebody could have got him alone w/ no struggle and no witnesses.
That would also explain why Munson didn't have a girlfriend or wife that would have reported him missing.

Not to let the car thief off the hook, but Munson's disappearance may have had something to do w/ his personal life rather than to do w/ this case.

This why Unsolved Mysteries had so many problems w/ cases like this. They never gave additional details that might have sparked things in people's minds.

Considering it it was BPD investigating it doesn't surprise me that it's still not solved. I grew up in Baltimore City and on more than one occasion in took police over 45 minutes to show up after someone dialed 911. Watson was definitely involved but I guess as the old saying goes, "no body, no crime".

One question I had: Munson was a bachelor. Was he also gay?
That would explain how somebody could have got him alone w/ no struggle and no witnesses.
That would also explain why Munson didn't have a girlfriend or wife that would have reported him missing.

That could explain why Oliver Munson had no girlfriend or wife, but it's worth noting that the mere lack of a significant other doesn't necessairly mean the person is gay. Unfortunately, however, it doesn't prevent some people from rushing to judgment on the matter.

There might be some other explanation for Oliver's bachelorhood. Maybe he hadn't found the right woman yet or, quite possibly, he had been carrying a torch for someone in particular.

The thing I always wondered about this case was how exactly Oliver was abducted. A neighbor sees him leave his house just before 8:00 to go to work. Then he never made it to school. At that time of morning, in broad daylight, during rush hour where there would, no doubt, be many people on the road going to work themselves, somebody would have seen something.

The fact that Oliver's books and paper lunch were found in the front seat would suggest there was no struggle inside the car. The only scenario I can think of is that Oliver could have been at a red light and his abductor's pulled up next to him aiming a gun at him. At that point, he would have left his car willingly and been forced to enter the killer's car. An accomplice might have then gotten in to Oliver's car and they both left, killed Oliver, dumped his body somewhere and then dropped Oliver's car off in a residential neighborhood 3 days after he is last seen alive.

Hilton Solomon's car, which was stolen just hours before Oliver vanished, was no doubt driven by the killers. Oliver's hat was found inside, and video store receipts in Oliver's name were found inside with some blood on them. This also might have been the car used to drive out to God knows where to dump the body. Although it's strange that the only blood found inside the car was on the video receipts on the floor.

It's too bad the police couldn't check with the video store records for the days that someone used Oliver's account. Video stores in my area have security cameras. But I highly doubt they would have had security cameras in 1984 when Oliver went missing.

I agree with those who thought the police messed up big time. Oliver should have had 24 hour protection during the days leading up to the court date where he would have had to testify against Dennis Watson.

That could explain why Oliver Munson had no girlfriend or wife, but it's worth noting that the mere lack of a significant other doesn't necessairly mean the person is gay. Unfortunately, however, it doesn't prevent some people from rushing to judgment on the matter.

There might be some other explanation for Oliver's bachelorhood. Maybe he hadn't found the right woman yet or, quite possibly, he had been carrying a torch for someone in particular.

I think that you may have misunderstood me.

If I remember correctly Oliver Munson was a larger man.
Even if he were a passive type of guy, he still could have been perceived as menacing by shorter people or by people that didn't know him.

If he were gay and cruised, then encounters w/ strangers wouldn't have seemed to have been an oddity for him and would possibly explain why he may have willingly got into another person's car.

There's also the unfortunate possibility that Mr. Munson was still involved w/ the car theft ring in a peripheral role. He did have a number of vehicles on his property and he possibly could have been looking for a "cheap" source of parts for those vehicles.

That may be how the car thief knew that Munson was testifying, where he lived and what his daily schedule would be.

The thing I always wondered about this case was how exactly Oliver was abducted. A neighbor sees him leave his house just before 8:00 to go to work. Then he never made it to school. At that time of morning, in broad daylight, during rush hour where there would, no doubt, be many people on the road going to work themselves, somebody would have seen something.

The fact that Oliver's books and paper lunch were found in the front seat would suggest there was no struggle inside the car. The only scenario I can think of is that Oliver could have been at a red light and his abductor's pulled up next to him aiming a gun at him. At that point, he would have left his car willingly and been forced to enter the killer's car. An accomplice might have then gotten in to Oliver's car and they both left, killed Oliver, dumped his body somewhere and then dropped Oliver's car off in a residential neighborhood 3 days after he is last seen alive.

Hilton Solomon's car, which was stolen just hours before Oliver vanished, was no doubt driven by the killers. Oliver's hat was found inside, and video store receipts in Oliver's name were found inside with some blood on them. This also might have been the car used to drive out to God knows where to dump the body. Although it's strange that the only blood found inside the car was on the video receipts on the floor.

It's too bad the police couldn't check with the video store records for the days that someone used Oliver's account. Video stores in my area have security cameras. But I highly doubt they would have had security cameras in 1984 when Oliver went missing.

I agree with those who thought the police messed up big time. Oliver should have had 24 hour protection during the days leading up to the court date where he would have had to testify against Dennis Watson.



I thought when his car was found, one of the tires was flat as well???? Or am I thinking about another case?

Considering it it was BPD investigating it doesn't surprise me that it's still not solved. I grew up in Baltimore City and on more than one occasion in took police over 45 minutes to show up after someone dialed 911. Watson was definitely involved but I guess as the old saying goes, "no body, no crime".

Isn't this the same LE agency that screwed up the Keith Warren murder? They should have protected Oliver before and after the trial. That's policework 101. What a shame for what seemed to be a nice, honest, hard working man who made one mistake by buying a stolen car.

There is an article from 2009 somewhere that says there is still no updates. His family said something like they wish one day every day he would come home.

edit:

http://www.explorehoward.com/news/61103/hope-lingers-man-gone-25-years/

There is an article from 2009 somewhere that says there is still no updates. His family said something like they wish one day every day he would come home.

edit:

http://www.explorehoward.com/news/61103/hope-lingers-man-gone-25-years/

After reading the article, the sad part to me is they've only recently taken his brother's DNA to match it with any other evidence they find. Considering that this murder took place almost 25 years ago,something that should have been done as soon as the technology was available.

I'm not holding out too much hope that this case will be solved as even the article states that the police have no idea of the current location of the main suspect.I hate to say it, but in this case it looks as if someone got away with murder.

Oliver Wendell Munson's profile has been updated on doenetwork:
http://www.doenetwork.org/
Case File 2006DMMD

Circumstances of Disappearance
Munson, a bachelor and somewhat of a recluse, was last seen in 600 block of Orpington Road in Catonsville, Maryland on February 13, 1984. At 7:50 a.m., a neighbor saw Munson leaving his home, alone apparently heading to work.
Wendell was a industrial arts high school teacher in Howard County, MD, and never arrived at school.
He had an occasional girlfriend, but on weekends he often left town to visit his mother and two brothers on the Eastern Shore.
His family reported him missing the next day, February. 14, after checking his home.

On February 16, the 1980 Ford Pinto belonging to Munson is found parked on Braeside Road in Catonsville, about two blocks from his home. The right front tire is flat, apparently due to a slow leak. In it was his touring cap, he usually wore, and had his lunch bag and school notebook on the front seat.

Munson hobby was working on the old cars that littered his yard. Investigators believe that he may have been murdered in retaliation of testifying against an auto theft ring. Mr. Munson had unknowingly bought a blue 1973 Datsun 240Z car from a ring member the year before he disappeared. This car had been stollen the on the morning of Munson's disappearance.
On February 27, the blue 1973 Datsun 240Z that had been stolen was recovered at the edge of Leakin Park in West Baltimore.
In the car were two business receipts with Munson's name, traces of unidentified blood, and a small-caliber shell casing.

His body may have been dumped or buried somewhere, perhaps in Leakin Park, near where the stolen car was later found. February 28, 1984 City police searched Leakin Park without success.

ON May 28, 1985 Munson was legally declared dead, the victim of "presumptive homicide," his body was never found.

Interesting how they call Oliver a "recluse", UM mentioned the guy was very well liked which would lead us to think of him as outgoing and friendly. Unless he was just that way at work and more private outside of work.

Is Dennis Watson still alive?

Interesting how they call Oliver a "recluse", UM mentioned the guy was very well liked which would lead us to think of him as outgoing and friendly. Unless he was just that way at work and more private outside of work.

yeah, that was weird. The guy had a full time job outside of home, and apparently liked to visit the video store, so I'm not sure how that qualifies him as a recluse.

Bungled at almost every turn.

Sadly, there is just no way Oliver could still be alive. :( The fact that Dennis Watson is still alive just adds insult to injury. The anniversary of Oliver's disappearance is tomorrow. 29 years. :(

Is there any way I could find the original segment airing of this case? Very intriguing but it never seemed like much info was given about the case. Thanks!

This is a frustrating case, and I'm sure LE is also frustrated as they more than likely know who the killer is but can't charge him. I really think Oliver should have been offered protection when he was told he had to testify, seeing as it was already known that several other witnesses "mysteriously" met their ends shortly before having to testify against Watson.

It seemed like Oliver was a really nice, scrupulous man who had a positive impact on his students and fellow teachers. It's really a shame he's never been found and Watson, if he is as guilty as he seems, can't be held accountable.

That could explain why Oliver Munson had no girlfriend or wife, but it's worth noting that the mere lack of a significant other doesn't necessairly mean the person is gay. Unfortunately, however, it doesn't prevent some people from rushing to judgment on the matter.

There might be some other explanation for Oliver's bachelorhood. Maybe he hadn't found the right woman yet or, quite possibly, he had been carrying a torch for someone in particular.

Off topic of actual thread, but I don't get why people suddenly shout "not married, no girlfriend, well, he must be gay!!". I am 40 and have never even been on a date before. My sexual orientation is straight. I just never have had any girls actually say yes to me. Ever. And at 40, well, if it hasn't happened by now, it definitely is not going to happen later. What female in her right mind wants a 40 year old burnout? A friend of mine who is two years younger than me got married a few months ago. He was in the same boat, as he had never even been on a date in his life until age 38. He met a very attractive girl who is in her mid 20's. Sound great, right? Not so fast! HUGE catch. She has never had a job and is used to being taken care of. She has already been married and divorced twice and has even admitted to my friend that she is only married to him because he makes really good money. Which, to be honest, I can see. Why else would a girl in her mid-20's marry an old guy in his late 30's, unless he has money. So, actually, a small part of me is glad I'm single.

Off topic of actual thread, but I don't get why people suddenly shout "not married, no girlfriend, well, he must be gay!!". I am 40 and have never even been on a date before. My sexual orientation is straight. I just never have had any girls actually say yes to me. Ever. And at 40, well, if it hasn't happened by now, it definitely is not going to happen later. What female in her right mind wants a 40 year old burnout? A friend of mine who is two years younger than me got married a few months ago. He was in the same boat, as he had never even been on a date in his life until age 38. He met a very attractive girl who is in her mid 20's. Sound great, right? Not so fast! HUGE catch. She has never had a job and is used to being taken care of. She has already been married and divorced twice and has even admitted to my friend that she is only married to him because he makes really good money. Which, to be honest, I can see. Why else would a girl in her mid-20's marry an old guy in his late 30's, unless he has money. So, actually, a small part of me is glad I'm single.

1. I agree with you totally: it's not at all a given that single men without girlfriends are gay. It's a jump to a conclusion.

2. A close friend of mine married her husband while in her mid-twenties and he was in his late thirties. She actually earns a slightly higher income than he does. So, perhaps a reason a woman at that age marries an older man is because she loves that man. So, to assume all younger women seek the money and resources of older men in marriage is...a jump to a conclusion.

I've always felt so bad for Oliver Munson. Just an innocent victim in all of this. I agree btw, not many school teachers who interact with many people on a daily basis can hardly be called a recluse. Maybe shy is a more appropriate word.

Off topic of actual thread, but I don't get why people suddenly shout "not married, no girlfriend, well, he must be gay!!". I am 40 and have never even been on a date before. My sexual orientation is straight. I just never have had any girls actually say yes to me. Ever. And at 40, well, if it hasn't happened by now, it definitely is not going to happen later. What female in her right mind wants a 40 year old burnout? A friend of mine who is two years younger than me got married a few months ago. He was in the same boat, as he had never even been on a date in his life until age 38. He met a very attractive girl who is in her mid 20's. Sound great, right? Not so fast! HUGE catch. She has never had a job and is used to being taken care of. She has already been married and divorced twice and has even admitted to my friend that she is only married to him because he makes really good money. Which, to be honest, I can see. Why else would a girl in her mid-20's marry an old guy in his late 30's, unless he has money. So, actually, a small part of me is glad I'm single.


You are so right. My DH was 33 when we married. He had dated very little. He was just quiet and shy.
We have a mutual friend, he is DHs age. A little slow but very independent. I remember him having tears in his eyes telling me how lonely he was, he just wanted to meet the right woman and get married.he was in his mid 50s then. Not long after he did meet the right woman, at work. That was about 15 years ago and they are still happily married.

So no, every single man that doesn't date is not gay.

I agree btw, not many school teachers who interact with many people on a daily basis can hardly be called a recluse. Maybe shy is a more appropriate word.

Yeah, the only time he seemed apprehensive was when the police came to his house to ask him to testify. And heck, who wouldn't be apprehensive in those circumstances?

just saw this case for the first time on the Farina version. How sad. He was obviously killed off by Dennis Watson or associates of him to prevent him from testifying.

just saw this case for the first time on the Farina version. How sad. He was obviously killed off by Dennis Watson or associates of him to prevent him from testifying.

Yeah, he had absolutely nothing to do with anything Dennis Watson had going on. He was literally at the wrong place at the wrong time. Makes me mad.

Yeah, he had absolutely nothing to do with anything Dennis Watson had going on. He was literally at the wrong place at the wrong time. Makes me mad.

Yeah. And the fact he wasn't getting police protection until the trial makes me mad as well.

does anyone think maybe munson saw something he shouldn't have? Or maybe someone knew something about him and maybe he was in on something and made a mistake?

funny how a bullet shell was in the car but everything else was neat. Did he own a gun? Did he plant that himself and ran off maybe? Odd that neighbours say they saw him leave for work that day and he was abducted shortly after because he did not make it to work. Someone else must have known his schedule and what he did for a living.

i think deep down he is dead though. But I think someone he knew or was in his inner circle knows more. Who were his friends? Past girlfriends? What bars did he go to?

I understand that he was a teacher and upstanding citizen, but the smart thing to do is claim you know nothing and disappear as fast as you can.


He had to tell police that he bought the stolen car or he could have been accused of stealing it himself. He would have gotten into serious trouble if he'd ditched out on a subpoena, too. But most importantly, he didn't know how dangerous Dennis Watson really was. I think the investigators failed miserably in their duties by not investigating the accused more thoroughly, only to discover what happened to other witnesses before Oliver AFTER he had vanished. They dropped the ball.

No, the prosecution was building a case against Dennis Watson. If Munson had claimed he couldn't remember what Watson and his associates looked like and that he had no memory of any of the individuals they were prosecuting, he would still be alive today.

If Munson had only said he couldn't remember any of the accused and pretended to have amnesia or some sort of mental breakdown, he would have been let go by the prosecution because he would have been useless to them.

If the late Mr. Munson had only said he couldn't remember, he would be alive today.

He probably wouldn't have felt comfortable lying to law enforcement.

Wow I watched this for the first time today....poor guy.

Hmm it's easy to look back after the poor guy was killed and say he should have skipped town. During the time he did the right thing. I agree with wishfuldreamer why didn't law enforcement look back at watsons violent history and protect Oliver? To me that's the only thing that can be questioned looking back. I'm not going to blame a murder victim for choosing to stand up and do the right thing rather than running away.

Watson is guilty as sin.

-Munson disappeared three days before he was to testify at Watson's trial.
-He never showed up for work on the day of his disappearance (which was a ten minute drive).
-His car was found two days later with a flat tire.
-A car that was stolen the day of Munson's disappearance was found almost 2 weeks later near the entrance to Leakin Park (in Baltimore). Inside the car were two receipts with Oliver Munson's name on them. A shell casing as well as blood was found in the car as well.

Based off of these facts, it seems like Munson was set up. The flat tire was probably deflated by the murderer/s who then got Munson to enter the stolen vehicle, either by force or by the ruse of giving him a ride. Shortly afterwards, they shot him and dumped his body. And based off of his family describing him as kind of a "recluse", no one in the world had any motive to want Oliver Munson dead besides Dennis Watson.

And as far as I know, Watson's whereabouts are a mystery today.

What I found particularly senseless about this story is that even without Munson's testimony, Watson was still convicted of the auto theft charge and received a ten-year prison sentence (and was paroled after serving five). Even if Munson had shown up to testify, I have a feeling Watson probably would have gotten the same sentence anyway, so Munson's murder was likely committed for nothing.

What I found particularly senseless about this story is that even without Munson's testimony, Watson was still convicted of the auto theft charge and received a ten-year prison sentence (and was paroled after serving five). Even if Munson had shown up to testify, I have a feeling Watson probably would have gotten the same sentence anyway, so Munson's murder was likely committed for nothing.
Couldn't agree more. What a shame. This has to be one of the saddest cases I've seen in a long time.

Is Dennis Watson still alive and roaming free?

Is Dennis Watson still alive and roaming free?

His whereabouts are currently unknown.

Just realized that the stolen vehicle containing the blood and Oliver's video store receipts was found at Leakin Park, which is apparently a notorious dumping ground for bodies and has gotten a lot of play recently on "Serial" since Hae Min Lee's body was found there.

Just realized that the stolen vehicle containing the blood and Oliver's video store receipts was found at Leakin Park, which is apparently a notorious dumping ground for bodies and has gotten a lot of play recently on "Serial" since Hae Min Lee's body was found there.

I'm confused on that part, UM depicts authorities towing the Datsun from Munson's house because it was a stolen vehicle.

I'm confused on that part, UM depicts authorities towing the Datsun from Munson's house because it was a stolen vehicle.

You got your stolen cars mixed up.

Robin is talking about Hilton Solomon's car, which was stolen about an hour before Oliver left for work and disappeared. When the car was recovered not long after, there were video receipts found inside traced to Oliver's card and blood on one of the receipts that matched Oliver's.

You got your stolen cars mixed up.

Robin is talking about Hilton Solomon's car, which was stolen about an hour before Oliver left for work and disappeared. When the car was recovered not long after, there were video receipts found inside traced to Oliver's card and blood on one of the receipts that matched Oliver's.

That is correct. The perpetrator likely stole this car, so they could abduct Oliver and murder him without anything being traced back to them. I have always found it strange, however, that Oliver's receipts wound up in the car which didn't belong to him. I'm presuming they just fell out of his pocket or something during a struggle and the killer didn't notice.

You got your stolen cars mixed up.

Robin is talking about Hilton Solomon's car, which was stolen about an hour before Oliver left for work and disappeared. When the car was recovered not long after, there were video receipts found inside traced to Oliver's card and blood on one of the receipts that matched Oliver's.

CP says no one knew Oliver's bloody type and DNA testing wasn't available then and now the sample is too degraded to be tested, so it's unknown if it's Oliver's blood or not.

You had to feel bad for Oliver. I mean, finally getting the car of his dreams, only to have it towed away after a little while, and then go back to driving that rustbucket. And then to be murdered like that.

Police botched this case big time. First of all they didn't know that witnesses had previously disappeared in cases relating to him until Oliver went missing. Secondly it took them three days to locate his car which apparently was only a few blocks from his house?

Police botched this case big time. First of all they didn't know that witnesses had previously disappeared in cases relating to him until Oliver went missing. Secondly it took them three days to locate his car which apparently was only a few blocks from his house?
Yes they did. This is why so many people won't talk to police. If they want people to provide testimony they need to do their diligence. I think most cops do a great job but the few bad apples ruin it. Hopefully our standards go up even higher than what they are now and were then. I would remind folks that law enforcement in our country is good compared to other places. And it goes back to the American people standing up and demanding justice like we always do.

I barely saw this case for the first time about a year ago. A total unnecessary murder and a shame that Oliver got no justice.

Was it ever confirmed if Watson was/wasn't out on bail at the time of Munson's abduction + homicide?

And I do wonder if perhaps Munson had been White and lived in an affluent part of his city/town, that perhaps he would've gotten police protection. At the very least a better effort would've been made to get him protection. Race relations weren't all that in the 80s, especially in the South (New England as well)

Just saw this case for the first time today and yeah, I think Watson is guilty as sin. If he personally didn't have anything to do with Oliver's disappearance, then I'd bet real money he had someone do it (for a guy like that, bumping someone off as a "f*** you" kind of move doesn't seem at all out of the question.....also, if it was a random drive by or whatever, why would the bloody receipt be in a different car?)

The ineptitude on the part of the police pisses me off, but is unfortunately, not surprising. I would think though, even back in 84, there would be some record somewhere of what Oliver's blood type was. Get that, run it up against the bloody receipt and then go from there.

I am not even sure that Watson had anything to do with this-why kill one witness when multiple witnesses are giving evidence against you? Sure, if this was the only guy prepared to stand up in court it might make some sense, but not when there are a list of others who were going to do so. Plus why would you wait a year & do it just three days before you come to trial? Obviously that means you will be the prime suspect. Also he plead guilty anyway, so why would you kill just one witness & then plead guilty a few days later? What do we know about Munson other than he was a teacher, but what company did he keep? Was he into drugs & maybe he got ripped off & killed on a deal? Was he involved in a love triangle or was there a jealous ex on the scene? Was the guy who stole the other guys car just a murderer intent on killing & Munson was the unfortunate target?

I wonder if Dennis Watson is still alive. If he is, then he is definitely an old man by now. Such a shame that that lowlife criminal got to live to be an old man. Oliver never even made it to 40 thanks to Watson.

I am not even sure that Watson had anything to do with this-why kill one witness when multiple witnesses are giving evidence against you? Sure, if this was the only guy prepared to stand up in court it might make some sense, but not when there are a list of others who were going to do so. Plus why would you wait a year & do it just three days before you come to trial? Obviously that means you will be the prime suspect. Also he plead guilty anyway, so why would you kill just one witness & then plead guilty a few days later? What do we know about Munson other than he was a teacher, but what company did he keep? Was he into drugs & maybe he got ripped off & killed on a deal? Was he involved in a love triangle or was there a jealous ex on the scene? Was the guy who stole the other guys car just a murderer intent on killing & Munson was the unfortunate target?

Just the fact that he disappeared while driving to work has always bothered me. That's going to be an abduction that's extremely difficult to pull off. 8:00 in the morning on a weekday when many other people will also be on the road. How does that happen?

A Gretchen Burford type abduction (with a psycho hiding in the backseat) - I don't see that being doable since Oliver drove a two door 1980 Ford Pinto. That back seat is so incredibly tiny, an adult male, even if he could somehow fit back there, would be spotted in a second...

https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/pinto-side-e1507043925517.jpg

Unless Oliver had other unknown skeletons in his closet that were never known to the public, it's possible he may have chosen to disappear. Maybe to avoid having to testify against Watson? In which case we could have a Gail Delano type situation where instead of driving to work, he just drove two blocks, threw a credit card or some type of identification around his car, let the air out of one of his tires and just catch a bus somewhere to start a new life. It could be that whoever stole Hilton Solomon's car was completely unrelated but somehow came across Oliver's card.

But short of having other issues, there would be no reason to remain hidden for 30+ years.

Just the fact that he disappeared while driving to work has always bothered me. That's going to be an abduction that's extremely difficult to pull off. 8:00 in the morning on a weekday when many other people will also be on the road. How does that happen?

A Gretchen Burford type abduction (with a psycho hiding in the backseat) - I don't see that being doable since Oliver drove a two door 1980 Ford Pinto. That back seat is so incredibly tiny, an adult male, even if he could somehow fit back there, would be spotted in a second...

https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/pinto-side-e1507043925517.jpg

Unless Oliver had other unknown skeletons in his closet that were never known to the public, it's possible he may have chosen to disappear. Maybe to avoid having to testify against Watson? In which case we could have a Gail Delano type situation where instead of driving to work, he just drove two blocks, threw a credit card or some type of identification around his car, let the air out of one of his tires and just catch a bus somewhere to start a new life. It could be that whoever stole Hilton Solomon's car was completely unrelated but somehow came across Oliver's card.

But short of having other issues, there would be no reason to remain hidden for 30+ years.

How and why would the receipts have ended up in a stranger's car though?? I know I wouldn't go out and randomly decide to pick up someone else's trash.

Also, I'm inclined to believe the blood on the receipts was Oliver's. To deny that would strain credulity to the max (having blood from one person end up on trash from someone else and then have that trash end up in a third person's car).

How and why would the receipts have ended up in a stranger's car though?? I know I wouldn't go out and randomly decide to pick up someone else's trash.

Also, I'm inclined to believe the blood on the receipts was Oliver's. To deny that would strain credulity to the max (having blood from one person end up on trash from someone else and then have that trash end up in a third person's car).

Ugh! You're right. I just try to make sense over how he was abducted. There could have been easier opportunities to do this at a different time. Like maybe break in to his house and wait for him to get home from work? Doing this while waiting at a red light seems far more conspicuous.

Nice little postscript that Watson only served half his term, i'm sure afterward he was back involved in even more nefarious ventures.

There is nothing in terms of Dennis Watson online, outside of the Oliver Munson case. I even checked Maryland court records and it's like the guy up and disappeared in 1993. So I fell down a rabbit hole, and saw where a "Dennis L. Watson" purchased a home in Baltimore, MD in June of 1989 with a woman named "Dawn G. Gossett". The UM segment says that Watson was paroled from prison in 1989, and the court case records indicate that both charges against Watson (he was prosecuted in both Baltimore City & Baltimore County courts) were closed in 1992 and 1993. Then there's nothing. The house purchase turned out to be a dead end and a different Dennis Watson, so then I went on Facebook and fell down another rabbit hole. Watson's middle name is Leonard, so after no luck with Dennis Watson, I searched for Leonard Watson and found a hit on someone who lives in Texas but was from Baltimore. And I went to his friend list and found a man named Emmanuel Watson, who lives in Baltimore. And, IMO, he's a dead ringer for the mugshot shown in the UM segment.

https://i.ibb.co/MgJR7zn/watson.png

I'm not saying that this is Dennis Watson, but I'd be shocked if it wasn't him, that it wasn't someone related to him. I don't think the police are actively looking for Watson (since technically, Oliver Munson is still a missing person), and it wouldn't shock me if he was operating out in the open, still in Baltimore.

I agree; I think that's him.

Great detective work, TheCars1986. The UM segment never indicated if the police questioned Dennis Watson about the Oliver Munson disappearance. I'm sure Dennis would've denied any involvement but at least the police could've done some investigation.

It's terrible that OM didn't have any idea that he was buying a stolen car from DW; he was completely innocent of any wrong-doing here, but was still negatively affected by the aftermath of buying the car.

It's unfortunate that he was going to be forced to testify in court against DW - even though he obviously didn't want to, for justifiable fear of retaliation.

It seems evident that OM did meet with foul play (on his way to work, probably) so that he wouldn't testify.

Or, as has been suggested - another possibility is that he skipped town/disappeared because he didn't want to go through with testifying; but, if that had occurred - I suspect he would have tried to contact his family members at some point afterwards - and, there is no indication that he did.

I am not even sure that Watson had anything to do with this-why kill one witness when multiple witnesses are giving evidence against you? Sure, if this was the only guy prepared to stand up in court it might make some sense, but not when there are a list of others who were going to do so. Plus why would you wait a year & do it just three days before you come to trial? Obviously that means you will be the prime suspect. Also he plead guilty anyway, so why would you kill just one witness & then plead guilty a few days later? What do we know about Munson other than he was a teacher, but what company did he keep? Was he into drugs & maybe he got ripped off & killed on a deal? Was he involved in a love triangle or was there a jealous ex on the scene? Was the guy who stole the other guys car just a murderer intent on killing & Munson was the unfortunate target?

If his disappearance had nothing to do with the Watson trial, that's a huge coincidence that years before 2 people wound up dead that were supposed to testify against Watson for other crimes.

A man named Clinton Glenn was burned to death in a car owned by Watson. Glenn was to testify against Watson as a witness in a robbery case. An unnamed witness of Glenn's death was also set to testify and died of a suspicious drug overdose.

In January 1974, Watson had been charged by Baltimore County police with first-degree murder in the death of a man scheduled to testify against him in an armed robbery case. The victim, Clinton E. Glenn, 29, had been knocked unconscious and burned to death in a Volkswagen bus the day before the trial, according to court records.

Although Watson was indicted by a grand jury, the charge was later put on the inactive docket and never prosecuted because a key witness in the case died of an accidental drug overdose, police said.

The police really botched this whole thing, they nabbed Watson but they didn't do their due diligence in checking his background and it ultimately cost another life.

Also great works Cars, that's him, he probably used his middle name after release to start anew. I'm disappointed you used the mugshot from the Farina version though ;)

Clinton Glenn, the man who burned to death was knocked unconscious in Watson’s Volkswagen. Going by that, it seems Oliver suffered a similar fate and the most likely scenario is:

Associates of Watson purposely deflated the tire on Oliver’s ford pinto. When he broke down they quickly pulled up beside him (in the car they stole from Hilton Solomon a few hours earlier) and offered Oliver a ride. When they got down towards leakin park they pointed a gun at Oliver and a scuffle ensued. They shot him, his receipts fell on the floor with the blood stains and they dumped the body. Then Hilton Solomon’s car is found abandoned.

Seeing as Watson was still found guilty, it seems Oliver’s death was done for nothing.

it seems Oliver suffered a similar fate and the most likely scenario is:

Associates of Watson purposely deflated the tire on Oliver’s ford pinto. When he broke down they quickly pulled up beside him (in the car they stole from Hilton Solomon a few hours earlier) and offered Oliver a ride. When they got down towards leakin park they pointed a gun at Oliver and a scuffle ensued. They shot him, his receipts fell on the floor with the blood stains and they dumped the body. Then Hilton Solomon’s car is found abandoned.

I have doubts about this. Remember that Oliver’s school papers and bagged lunch were found on the front seat of his car. There would be no reason for him to leave that stuff behind and accept a ride from a stranger to go to work.

At some point, I’m assuming he must have been forced into Hilton Solomon’s car, maybe while checking out his flat tire.

At some point, I’m assuming he must have been forced into Hilton Solomon’s car, maybe while checking out his flat tire.

I also agree that he was most likely forced into the second vehicle. He was already nervous about testifying, and while he didn't know what had happened to Watson's other victims, he was more than likely on edge and not about to get into a stranger's car.

I think that is Dennis Watson in that picture. The facial features are all there. It looks just like one of the age progression photos that UM would show in missing persons segments. Not to mention him having an Emmanuel Watson from Baltimore on his friends list. It all adds up

I am not saying i neccesarily believe this, but it has always surprised me that no one - espcially on the internet - has suggested that Oliver was involved in the car theft ring. He was in possession of a stolen car and his papers were found in a separate stolen car. Instead of being killed because he was gonna testify, it seems just as plausible that he was killed because he knew too much.

I am not saying i neccesarily believe this, but it has always surprised me that no one - espcially on the internet - has suggested that Oliver was involved in the car theft ring. He was in possession of a stolen car and his papers were found in a separate stolen car. Instead of being killed because he was gonna testify, it seems just as plausible that he was killed because he knew too much.

I've thought about this maybe a couple of times over the years, too.

One thing that gives me pause is that Oliver was described as something of an intensely private person who didn't seem to have many close contacts ("recluse" is a term I've seen used). One could wonder whether this was just the guy's personality or if he had something to hide, so to speak. I think if it was the latter, though, it's surprising that to our knowledge, no one has come forward with any information supporting that notion--especially considering the fact that he's not only still missing, but strongly suspected to be a homicide victim as well. If he were part of some ring, I think there would likely be a wealth of connections outside Dennis Watson that the police could have contacted and tried to cull information from.

It does make you wonder, though. I could see how a middle school teacher on a teacher's salary (which wasn't outstanding in the 1980s either, from what I understand) with a taste for fancy cars (and maybe looking for a little excitement in his life) could have found himself in over his head in a situation like that. Stranger things have happened.

I am not saying i neccesarily believe this, but it has always surprised me that no one - espcially on the internet - has suggested that Oliver was involved in the car theft ring. He was in possession of a stolen car and his papers were found in a separate stolen car. Instead of being killed because he was gonna testify, it seems just as plausible that he was killed because he knew too much.

Wait, Oliver’s papers were found in another stolen car? I missed that. I find it odd that that Oliver would be willing to testify if he was involved with the theft ring. Wouldn’t he be working with Watson to make sure nothing truthful was said? Maybe I’m giving Watson too much credit.

I am not saying i neccesarily believe this, but it has always surprised me that no one - espcially on the internet - has suggested that Oliver was involved in the car theft ring. He was in possession of a stolen car and his papers were found in a separate stolen car. Instead of being killed because he was gonna testify, it seems just as plausible that he was killed because he knew too much.

I have always found it hard to believe that a law abiding school teacher was not remotely cautious about buying this used car from a shady character like Watson. My gut tells me that he saw an opportunity to buy a "classic" car that he liked and took it. Not that he was necessarily involved with the ring, but still bought the car knowing that it most likely was not a legitimate sale.

Wait, Oliver’s papers were found in another stolen car? I missed that.

No. Oliver’s school papers (and bagged lunch) was found in Oliver’s pinto…which turned up 3 days after his disappearance, just three blocks from his home. One of the tire’s was flat.

It was Hilton Solomon’s car that was stolen just hours before Oliver disappeared. Inside Solomon’s car was several video rental store receipts under Oliver’s name and one of the receipts had blood on it. There was also a hat believed to be Oliver’s.

No. Oliver’s school papers (and bagged lunch) was found in Oliver’s pinto…which turned up 3 days after his disappearance, just three blocks from his home. One of the tire’s was flat.

It was Hilton Solomon’s car that was stolen just hours before Oliver disappeared. Inside Solomon’s car was several video rental store receipts under Oliver’s name and one of the receipts had blood on it. There was also a hat believed to be Oliver’s.

I said papers because I couldn't remember exactly what they were -- but yes they were not "school papers" they were print receipts from a video rental store later found in another stolen car.

You are so right. My DH was 33 when we married. He had dated very little. He was just quiet and shy.
We have a mutual friend, he is DHs age. A little slow but very independent. I remember him having tears in his eyes telling me how lonely he was, he just wanted to meet the right woman and get married.he was in his mid 50s then. Not long after he did meet the right woman, at work. That was about 15 years ago and they are still happily married.

So no, every single man that doesn't date is not gay.

I want to upvote this 1000 times. Just like every woman that is still single is not just "picky."

I want to upvote this 1000 times. Just like every woman that is still single is not just "picky."

Totally agree. I didn’t even go on my first date until I was 28, and I was nearly 30 before… well, you know. I’ve been married for a decade now, and nobody in my life today would ever believe that if I told them. Funny enough, I once had lunch with five coworkers back in 2013: every one of them married except me. By 2016, I was the only one of the six who was married.

This is also important context when discussing UM cases in general. People are often quick to judge or make accusations simply because someone’s behavior or lifestyle falls outside the norm. Tim McClure, Hugh Harlin, and Darlie Routier come to mind, even though the last one is absolutely guilty. I can only imagine that if an UM episode ever accused me of something, they’d use my introversion, love of kids and animals, and other personality quirks to paint a completely false picture of me as some kind of monster.

I have always found it hard to believe that a law abiding school teacher was not remotely cautious about buying this used car from a shady character like Watson. My gut tells me that he saw an opportunity to buy a "classic" car that he liked and took it. Not that he was necessarily involved with the ring, but still bought the car knowing that it most likely was not a legitimate sale.

That theory definetly has some weight to it. Most people, when they really want something, are willing to overlook red flags or “compromise” in order to get what they want, including material possessions like a sports car.

That theory definetly has some weight to it. Most people, when they really want something, are willing to overlook red flags or “compromise” in order to get what they want, including material possessions like a sports car.

there's also something about buying a car. I never feel great doing it. maybe this segment has something to do with it. but buying new cars at dealerships doesn't always feel great either.

there's also something about buying a car. I never feel great doing it. maybe this segment has something to do with it. but buying new cars at dealerships doesn't always feel great either.

Indeed. I've looked at so many used cars over the years, it's important people do their due diligence when buying from a stranger. This dennis watson guy was no dealership, and was basically on the "tom johnson" level or worse, as he had associates doing his dirty work for him whenever his operations were under scrutiny or exposed.

Innocent unaware person buys/sells high ticket item and ends up dead/scammed/bamboozled.