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Charles R Hawkins

The person at the center of this case

Charles R Hawkins

Case
#2871
SourceNamus MissingUpdated Jul 7, 2026
Las Cruces Police Department
Missing Person · Unsolved
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.

Start here

Key leads to think about

🔍
evidence
Lead #1

Why was the pickup truck locked and how did it end up in the desert arroyo? Was there evidence of foul play or voluntary departure?

⏰
timeline
Lead #2

What occurred between March 19 and April 19, 1998? How long was the truck actually in the arroyo before discovery?

📍
location
Lead #3

The desert arroyo location—was it thoroughly searched for human remains or evidence given the suicidal ideation?

Charles R Hawkins, a 63-year-old man, disappeared from Las Cruces, New Mexico on March 19, 1998, after his wife reported he was suicidal and had attempted suicide multiple times. His pickup truck was discovered abandoned and locked in a desert arroyo on April 19, 1998, but an extensive search found no trace of Mr. Hawkins. A death certificate was issued in 2003 to allow his family to settle his estate, though his remains have never been located.

Case
#2871
SourceNamus MissingUpdated Jul 7, 2026
Las Cruces Police Department

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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.

👁️
witness
Lead #4

Were there any witnesses to Charles' movements on March 19, 1998, or sightings in the days following his disappearance?

💡
clue
Lead #5

Given his documented suicidal history and the isolated truck discovery, what evidence exists to determine whether this was a voluntary disappearance or an accident?

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

👤
1998-03-19

Charles R Hawkins disappears

Charles was last seen in Las Cruces, NM in his pickup truck. His wife reported he was suicidal with a history of three previous suicide attempts.

🔍
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.

🕵️
1998-04-19

Search and Rescue operation

A full day search was conducted by Search and Rescue but found no sign of Mr. Hawkins.

🕵️
2003-03-19

Death certificate issued

A death certificate was issued five years after disappearance to allow the family to settle his estate.

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:March 19, 1998
Last Updated:July 8, 2026

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Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.

Phone: 5755260795
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Case Information

Incident:March 19, 1998
Last Updated:July 8, 2026

Have Information?

Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.

Phone: 5755260795
You can remain anonymous