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Robert Shaw Missing Person Case

Last seen in Fontana, California on May 14, 1977

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Victim Details

Aug 7, 2014

May 8, 2024

Robert

Shaw

87

38

68 inches

196 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

May 14, 1977

Fontana

California

San Bernardino County

No

15602

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Las Vegas

Nevada

Clark County

89106

D Culver

Detective

400 South Martin Luther King Boulevard, Nevada

7028283111

Local

Law Enforcement

www.lvmpd.com

140724-1583 / 77-22459

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Black

Brown

Brown

Oct 18, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP25615) and 6 other sources
Robert Eugene Shaw, a 38-year-old man, was last seen on May 14, 1977, in Fontana, California. On that day, Shaw and an unidentified friend were reportedly heading to Las Vegas. They were last seen by Shaw’s sister, but neither he nor his companion reached their destination or were heard from again. His disappearance has remained unsolved for decades, with little evidence to indicate what might have happened to him after leaving Fontana.

Shaw’s case has taken on an air of mystery due to possible connections to organized crime. His sister later revealed that Shaw had ties to the Mafia, and this led to speculation that his disappearance might have been the result of foul play. This theory gained further traction when, in 2022, human remains were found in a barrel at Lake Mead. Investigators have since been exploring the possibility that Shaw could be the victim found in the barrel, as the method of disposal and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance align with what is known about Mafia-related killings. DNA testing was conducted, though no conclusive results have been made public as of yet.

The circumstances of Shaw’s case, involving a sudden vanishing on a trip to Las Vegas and potential Mafia connections, have left investigators with more questions than answers. Despite the passage of time, his case remains open, and efforts to link him to the Lake Mead discovery have reignited interest in his mysterious disappearance.
Last Seen: May 14, 1977

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Robert Eugene Shaw, a Mysterious Disappearance, and a Barrel at ...
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP25615 | NamUs
  • Robert Eugene Shaw (aka Bobby Shaw)... - Mayhem in the Desert
  • Lake Mead Break: Could Barrel Body Be Her Brother? - Casino.org
  • Who is the Body in the Lake Mead Barrel? (Maybe Mob ... - YouTube
  • Robert Eugene Shaw (aka Bobby Shaw)... - Mayhem in the Desert ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    84%Moderate
    John Doe — Ontario, California - unidentified case UP7586
    John Doe — Ontario, California
    UP7586 • Found Feb 4, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 90%167 lb vs 196 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    84%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4413 • Found Mar 19, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 34–44 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 22 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%180 lb vs 196 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4259 • Found Dec 31, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 83%160 lb vs 196 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4297 • Found Sep 7, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 37–47 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 86%163 lb vs 196 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP10668 • Found Mar 20, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%205 lb vs 196 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4223 • Found Aug 8, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%177 lb vs 196 lb
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4349 • Found Feb 28, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 40%126 lb vs 196 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Riverside, California
    UP7243 • Found Jul 11, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%8 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'11" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%202 lb vs 196 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3898 • Found Jul 19, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 64%143 lb vs 196 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP3947 • Found Oct 8, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 49–54 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 93%170 lb vs 196 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Robert Eugene Shaw, 38, was last seen on May 14, 1977, in Fontana, California. He and an... ...Read More
    05/23/2024

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