From all the missing persons cases, who do you think maybe went to start a new life?

[bluejazz87]

There are a lot of cases profiled on UM where people vanished. For me I think most of of them ended up in foul play or suicide. It just seems like it would be incredibly hard to start a new life from scratch without leaving a paper trail and/or not be subsequently seen/notice moving forward. Especially without financial help.

[zack007attack]

I'd say any of those in the military were involved in something shady either personally or professionally and left for a fresh start.

Justin Burgwinkel-Of all the UM missing persons cases, I think he stands the greatest chance of still being alive. Based on his profile, I think he ran off to some foreign country so he could fight as a mercenary, a paramilitary group or other kind of combat force abroad. I would say the French Foreign Legion is the most likely; it seems to be the most popular caterer to foreigners seeking the chance to participate in real combat.

Paul Whipkey-Think the consensus is pretty much CIA involvement.

[SarcasticBella]

I honestly do believe Cindy Anderson started over. She seemed to be much more on the liberal side or at least wanted to lean that way. But I felt that her ultra conservative parents/siblings were holding her back. The way her Dad talked during her segment, making it seem she was kid napped because "this is what happens when girls become more worldly." I don't know...the whole thing struck me as odd.

[TheCars1986]

Selena Edon is the only one that is possibly still alive, IMO.

[MegtheEgg86]

I don't think any of the people featured on the Missing Person segments disappeared to start new lives. I do think several of the Lost Loves features probably did in a sense, however--changing legal names, etc.

[MegtheEgg86]

Originally Posted by SarcasticBella

I honestly do believe Cindy Anderson started over. She seemed to be much more on the liberal side or at least wanted to lean that way. But I felt that her ultra conservative parents/siblings were holding her back. The way her Dad talked during her segment, making it seem she was kid napped because "this is what happens when girls become more worldly." I don't know...the whole thing struck me as odd.

Yeah, it was odd.

Michael Anderson came off poorly in the segment, but I remember reading an article published around '09 about his continued search for Cindy and found it quite moving. I kind of like to think the sharp edges of those attitudes were worn smooth over the years.

[Drown Soda]

I've always wondered if Lenny Dirickson was still alive given the reports about people seeing him in a bar after he disappeared. I still find that case is still extremely baffling. It may be one of the most baffling of all the missing persons cases profiled on UM.

[soilentgreen]

Possibly Ray Hickenbotham.

I think that Star Palumbo might have been trying to disappear, in part due to mental illness and fear of certain associates. I don't think she's still living at this time.

[ontarioboi]

adam hecht, theres just no proof he is dead and signs he wanted to start a new life.

[freakbook]

Ed Baker.

He bs'ed his way to being a millionaire. I'm sure he bs'ed about being dead.

[PracTz]

I wonder if Gordon Page, Jr. at least initially intended to start a new life away from the institution he'd begged to be taken out of? Regardless, I feel very badly for his family who felt incredible guilt that, despite all their efforts and the quack diagnoses/treatments they paid for, he just became more tormented as time progressed.

[siamesemeg]

Originally Posted by SarcasticBella

I honestly do believe Cindy Anderson started over. She seemed to be much more on the liberal side or at least wanted to lean that way. But I felt that her ultra conservative parents/siblings were holding her back. The way her Dad talked during her segment, making it seem she was kid napped because "this is what happens when girls become more worldly." I don't know...the whole thing struck me as odd.

Really? She had tons of money in the back which she never touched. That alone is a huge flag.

And I think it's difficult to tell much from the segment about her beliefs, other than what was actually said. She was about to go to bible college, and there was no talk at all of her not getting along with her family or rejecting their/her own beliefs. I don't feel like you get a "more on the liberal side" thing there. She wanted to wear more makeup and maybe diet - a lot of girls start getting more into that stuff when making a life change like college. Also, her sister wore makeup and jewelry in the segment, so I don't think it was far outside of their beliefs. Coming to that conclusion seems like a stretch.

I think fathers (evangelical or not) can get weirded out by their daughters growing into women. That poor guy didn't come off as well as he might have, but as MeggtheEgg pointed out, there was press coverage just a few years ago about he kept up the search until he died, and never moved or changed his number, in case she might come back.

I don't know why I feel so strongly about this, but it just seems like a tragic case that isn't helped by adding a lot of spurious supposition.*





*most of the stuff we walk about, I guess. Joke's on me!

[Hambone2421]

Ed Baker is one that I think could have faked his death, but that was thirty years ago. I doubt he's still alive today.

[freakbook]

Originally Posted by Hambone2421

Ed Baker is one that I think could have faked his death, but that was thirty years ago. I doubt he's still alive today.

I definitely don't think he's alive today, but I don't think that was him in the car either.

[Hambone2421]

Originally Posted by freakbook

I definitely don't think he's alive today, but I don't think that was him in the car either.

Yea, something always seemed odd about that entire scene and the events leading up to it. Plus back then, I'm sure it was WAY more easier to do something like that than it is today.