Chester Wetmore Missing Person Case

Chester Ralph Wetmore, a 14-year-old boy from Bradenton, Florida, was last seen on the evening of May 27, 1986, when he left his family’s residence. He was wearing jeans, a blue checkered shirt, and boots. Despite extensive efforts to locate him, Chester has never been seen again. His disappearance was initially treated as that of an endangered runaway, but in 2012, new information came to light.

James P. Barnes, a convicted murderer on death row in Florida, confessed to killing Chester during an interview for the documentary *On Death Row*. Barnes claimed that he encountered Chester, who was allegedly running away from home, and helped him hide. However, Barnes later killed Chester and buried his body after Chester supposedly stole from him. Despite this confession, Barnes has not been charged in connection with Chester's case, and Chester's body has never been found.

Barnes’ confession also implicated him in another unsolved murder, but the lack of physical evidence has left Chester’s disappearance officially unsolved. His case remains open, with authorities continuing to urge anyone with information to come forward.
Last Seen: May 27, 1986

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MISSING – Sun Sentinel