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Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP21071) and 1 other source
Gertrude Menacher, aged 37, was last seen on March 7, 1981, in Hallandale, Florida, along with her daughter Angela DeLawder, her boyfriend Charles Gibson, and DeLawder's boyfriend Ivan Gutierrez. The group vanished after meeting for a dinner engagement, and none of them have been seen or heard from since.

Prior to their disappearance, Menacher had spoken to her other daughter, Robin Patton, on the phone on March 4, 1981, indicating that she would be leaving and promised to send plane tickets and directions. Letters and $100 were mailed to Patton, arriving on March 6, the day before Menacher and the others went missing. Shortly after their disappearance, Gibson’s car was found abandoned at Miami International Airport. Gibson, who had a criminal past and was on lifetime parole, was suspected of involvement with drug gangs and may have been an enforcer.

Authorities believe the disappearances may be linked to the murder of Harvey Michael McElroy, a drug enforcer whose body was found burned in January 1981. Menacher and Gibson had been associated with McElroy and were wanted for questioning in connection with his murder. There are theories that Menacher and Gibson may have been killed due to their knowledge of McElroy’s death, with DeLawder and Gutierrez possibly caught in the crossfire. Another possibility is that the group went into hiding, possibly fleeing to Germany or Colombia. Despite extensive investigation, their whereabouts remain unknown.

The case remains unsolved, and authorities continue to search for any leads that might provide answers about what happened to Gertrude Menacher and the others.

Last Seen: Mar 7, 1981

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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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.

83%Moderate
Jane Doe — Miami, Florida
UP16832 • Found Dec 22, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 37
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 months after last seen
Height 100%5'0" vs 5'1"
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Miami, Florida
UP6153 • Found Mar 16, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Miami Beach, Florida
UP1143 • Found Mar 23, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 33–45 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%13 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 68%5'4" vs 5'1"
Weight 100%123 lb vs 120 lb
Hair 100%Blond vs Blond
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP1025
Jane Doe — Florida
UP1025 • Found Apr 18, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 46–60 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%47 mi away, same state
TimingFound 24 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0" vs 5'1"
Weight 100%112 lb vs 120 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Blond
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Miami, Florida
UP126729 • Found Nov 13, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 43 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Weight 73%148 lb vs 120 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Broward, Florida - unidentified case UP1221
Jane Doe — Broward, Florida
UP1221 • Found Nov 18, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 78%Est. 46–60 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%20 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0" vs 5'1"
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP16374
Jane Doe — Miami, Florida
UP16374 • Found Jan 9, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 84%5'3" vs 5'1"
Hair 40%Gray vs Blond
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Miami, Florida
UP16373 • Found Nov 24, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 17–40 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 68%5'4" vs 5'1"
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5285
Jane Doe — Miami, Florida
UP5285 • Found Nov 22, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 40–65 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 24 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2"–5'8" vs 5'1"
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Miami Lakes, Florida - unidentified case UP6098
Jane Doe — Miami Lakes, Florida
UP6098 • Found Oct 29, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 77%Est. 25–35 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away, same county
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond

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.