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Charles Hawkins Missing Person Case

Last seen in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Mar 19, 1998

Victim Details

Oct 1, 2010

Nov 1, 2022

Charles

Hawkins

91

63

66 inches

70 inches

170 lbs

180 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Mar 19, 1998

Las Cruces

New Mexico

Doña Ana County

88007

9123

Las Cruces Police Department

Las Cruces

New Mexico

Doña Ana County

88001

Richard Swanson

Volunteer Analyst

217 East Picacho Avenue, New Mexico

5755260795

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.las-cruces.org/departments/police-department

L9805015

Mar 19, 1998

Las Cruces Police Department

Gray or Partially Gray

Brown

Brown

Oct 14, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP8321) and 10 other sources
Charles Hawkins, a 63-year-old resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was last seen on March 19, 1998, driving his pickup truck. Hawkins had a history of depression and had previously attempted suicide on three occasions. He was fluent in Spanish and had worked as an agricultural manager at New Mexico State University for 29 years. On April 19, 1998, exactly one month after his disappearance, his truck was found abandoned and locked in a desert arroyo near Las Cruces. Despite a search of the area, no clues regarding his whereabouts were found.

Hawkins had a large scar on his left leg from a prior surgery, measuring 8 to 9 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. His wife reported that he had been suicidal at the time of his disappearance. He was legally declared dead five years later, on March 19, 2003, allowing his family to settle his estate. His case remains unsolved, with no leads or evidence explaining his sudden disappearance.
Last Seen: Mar 19, 1998

Links to Additional Sources (10)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Charles Hawkins - The Charley Project
  • 4343DMNM - Charles R Hawkins - Doe Network
  • Disappeared
  • NM - Charles Hawkins, 63, Las Cruces, 19 March 1998 | Websleuths
  • Charles Hawkins - New Mexico Missing Person Directory
  • Charles Hawkins's Story | The INTO LIGHT Project | Drug Addiction
  • Charles Travis Hawkins Obituary November 22, 2017
  • Criminal Division | United States v. Charles Hawkins
  • Charles Hawkins | News, Sports, Jobs - Morning Journal

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

    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.

    76%Possible
    John Doe — El Paso, Texas
    UP79032 • Found Jan 1, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 63 when missing
    Race 60%Hispanic
    Location 90%46 mi away
    TimingFound 23 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'10"
    Weight 82%213 lb vs 170–180 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — El Paso, Texas - unidentified case UP14566
    John Doe — El Paso, Texas
    UP14566 • Found Sep 9, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%43 mi away
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 36%5'1" vs 5'6"–5'10"
    Weight 94%147 lb vs 170–180 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    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 (2)

    Does anyone else think the location where Charles Hawkins’ truck was found could be significant?... ...Read More
    04/25/2024
    I've been following the Charles Hawkins case with great interest, and something that’s been on my... ...Read More
    02/17/2024

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