The person at the center of this case
David Reuben Boniske
Missing Person · Open
49 years waiting · since 1977
Missing Person: David Reuben Boniske
Justice for David Reuben Boniske — the trail went cold in 1977, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🔍
evidence
Lead #1Why were his camera, hang glider, cash, and a check left at the college if he disappeared from home? What was the nature of his science project?
💡
clue
Lead #2Complete absence of phone and credit card usage since July 23, 1977—was this voluntary departure or involuntary disappearance?
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person
Lead #3What was David's mental state and social connections at the time? Did he have conflicts or plans to leave?
David Reuben Boniske, a 21-year-old Evergreen State College student, disappeared on July 23, 1977, from his home in Olympia, Washington, leaving behind his camera, hang glider, and an incomplete science project. His phone and credit cards have remained unused since his disappearance, suggesting an abrupt and unexplained departure. Nearly five decades later, the circumstances of his vanishing remain unknown, and investigators continue seeking information about what happened to this tall, bespectacled young man.
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP17959. Missing person: David Reuben Boniske.
Last known contact: 1977-07-23 in Olympia, Thurston, WA. Circumstances: David Boniske was last seen on July 23, 1977, at his home in Olympia, Washington.
He was an Evergreen State College student at the time. A telephone and other credit cards which he normally used have not been used since his disappearance.
Some cash and a check were also left at the college, along with Boniske's camera and hang glider. At the time of his disappearance, Boniske had a science project going involving the camera, which he used extensively.
His disappearance occurred in the middle of the project. Demographics: 21 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 6 ft 5 in, 170 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Hazel. Clothing and accessories: Eyewear: wears glasses.
Investigating agency: Thurston County Sheriff's Office | 77-13827.
Timeline of Events
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1977-07-23
Last Known Contact
David Reuben Boniske was last seen at his home in Olympia, Washington. He was a student at Evergreen State College working on a science project involving photography.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:July 23, 1977
Last Updated:July 22, 2026
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Phone: 3607865500
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Case Information
Incident:July 23, 1977
Last Updated:July 22, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 3607865500
You can remain anonymous