The person at the center of this case
Donald Curtis Rexroth
Missing Person · Open
47 years waiting · since 1979
Missing Person: Donald Curtis Rexroth
Justice for Donald Curtis Rexroth — the trail went cold in 1979, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1Why did Donald leave in freezing temperatures wearing only light clothing? Was this indicative of suicidal ideation or a mental health crisis?
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location
Lead #2What areas surrounding K.I. Sawyer AFB were thoroughly searched in 1979? Have any remains been found in the surrounding region?
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witness
Lead #3Were there any witnesses on the base who saw Donald after 2100 hours on May 3rd, or observed him in the days following?
Donald Curtis Rexroth, a 23-year-old Air Force serviceman, disappeared on May 3, 1979, from K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan after leaving a residence on foot in freezing temperatures wearing only light clothing. He was described as extremely inebriated, depressed, and argumentative at the time of his departure. Despite efforts to locate him through contact with family and friends, his whereabouts remain unknown nearly 50 years later.
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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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clue
Lead #4Given his state of inebriation and emotional distress, could Donald have wandered into a dangerous area, sought shelter, or left the base entirely?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP38366. Missing person: Donald Curtis Rexroth.
Last known contact: 1979-05-04 in K. I.
Sawyer AFB, Marquette, MI. Circumstances: Donald was last seen by his wife approximately 2100 hours, 3 May 79, while cleaning another couple’s military quarters on base.
She described him as extremely inebriated, depressed, and argumentative. He departed the house on foot wearing only a white thermal underwear top, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.
Temperatures that night were at or below freezing. Contact with Donald's wife and friends failed to reveal any further information concerning his location.
Demographics: 23 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 6 in, 155 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: He departed the house on foot wearing only a white thermal underwear top, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.. Investigating agency: Air Force Office of Special Investigations | 33298151621616.
Timeline of Events
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1979-05-03
21:00Last sighting by wife
Donald was last seen by his wife at approximately 2100 hours cleaning another couple's military quarters on base. He was described as extremely inebriated, depressed, and argumentative.
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1979-05-03
21:00Departure from residence
Donald departed the house on foot wearing only a white thermal underwear top, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. Temperatures that night were at or below freezing.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 3, 1979 at 9:00 PM
Last Updated:June 25, 2026
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Phone: 8772461453
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Case Information
Incident:May 3, 1979 at 9:00 PM
Last Updated:June 25, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8772461453
You can remain anonymous