Dallas Basham, 22 years old, was last seen on the night of February 27, 1984, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Shortly after his release from jail on theft charges, he disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Basham had left behind personal belongings, such as his wallet and clothing, and failed to attend an important meeting the following day. His last known sighting occurred at 10:00 p.m. that night, and he has not been heard from since.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Dallas Basham was murdered by John Edward Bellas, who, along with an accomplice, Jeffrey Austgen, disposed of Basham's body. Bellas, believing that Basham had informed the police while in jail, reportedly struck Basham in the head with a hammer, strangled him with copper wire, and transported his body to the Burks Road area near Clear Lake in Dade City, Florida, where it was buried in a shallow grave in an orange grove. Although Bellas cooperated with authorities in attempting to locate the remains, they were never found.
Both Bellas and Austgen were charged in connection with the murder. Austgen cooperated with investigators and received an eight-year sentence, while Bellas was sentenced to 25 years for second-degree murder. Despite extensive efforts, Dallas Basham’s body remains missing, leaving the case unresolved despite the convictions of those responsible for his death.Last Seen: Feb 27, 1984
