The person at the center of this case
Charles R Hawkins
Missing Person · Unsolved - Death certificate issued 2003
28 years waiting · since 1998
Missing Person: Charles R Hawkins
Justice for Charles R Hawkins — the trail went cold in 1998, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1Why was the pickup truck locked if Charles had the keys, and what does this suggest about his state of mind or circumstances?
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location
Lead #2What specific desert arroyo location was the truck found in, and has that area been thoroughly searched for remains?
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clue
Lead #3Given his documented suicidal ideation and previous attempts, could he have taken his own life in the desert, and why were no remains discovered despite the search?
Charles R Hawkins, a 63-year-old male, disappeared from Las Cruces, New Mexico on March 19, 1998, after his wife reported he was suicidal and had attempted suicide multiple times previously. His pickup truck was discovered abandoned and locked in a desert arroyo on April 19, 1998, but despite extensive search and rescue efforts, no trace of Mr. Hawkins was ever found. A death certificate was issued in 2003 to allow his family to settle his estate, though his remains and the circumstances of his disappearance remain unknown.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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witness
Lead #4Were there any witnesses to Charles' movements on March 19, 1998, or in the days before his disappearance?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP8321. Missing person: Charles R Hawkins.
Last known contact: 1998-03-19 in Las Cruces, Doña Ana, NM. Circumstances: Charles was last seen in Las Cruces, NM on 03/19/1998.
Charles' wife stated that he was suicidal and had attempted suicide on three different occasions. He was last seen in his pickup truck.
On 04/19/1998 his pickup truck was located in a desert arroyo. Truck was locked and when keys were brought to the truck's location, it was started and driven back to Las Cruces.
Search and Rescue conducted a full day search and found no sign of Mr. Hawkins.
No body has been found, but a death certificate was issued on March 19, 2003 so the family could settle his estate. Demographics: 63 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 6 in, 170 lbs, hair: Gray or Partially Gray, eyes: Brown. Investigating agency: Las Cruces Police Department | L9805015 | 1998-03-19.
Timeline of Events
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1998-03-19
Charles R Hawkins last seen
Charles was last seen in his pickup truck in Las Cruces, NM. His wife reported he was suicidal with a history of three previous suicide attempts.
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1998-04-19
Pickup truck located
Charles' locked pickup truck was discovered in a desert arroyo. When keys were brought to the location, the truck was started and driven back to Las Cruces.
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1998-04-19
Search and Rescue operation
A full day search and rescue operation was conducted but found no sign of Mr. Hawkins.
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2003-03-19
Death certificate issued
A death certificate was issued five years after disappearance to allow family to settle his estate.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:March 19, 1998
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
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Phone: 5755260795
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Case Information
Incident:March 19, 1998
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5755260795
You can remain anonymous