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Charles McArthur Missing Person Case

Last seen in Worcester, Massachusetts on Sep 14, 1982

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Victim Details

Aug 6, 2010

Oct 5, 2023

Charles

McArthur

83

39

72 inches

73 inches

235 lbs

250 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Sep 14, 1982

Worcester

Massachusetts

Worcester County

01608

8876

Worcester Police Department

Worcester

Massachusetts

Worcester County

01608

Paul Noone

Detective

9-11 Lincoln Sq., Massachusetts

5087998466

Local

Law Enforcement

1982-16893

Sep 14, 1982

Worcester Police Department

Brown

Green

Green

Oct 17, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP7854) and 10 other sources
Charles Hector McArthur Jr., a 39-year-old man from Worcester, Massachusetts, disappeared under suspicious circumstances on September 14, 1982. On the day of his disappearance, McArthur received a phone call while he was out, with the message being relayed by his daughter that he should go to the Italian Kitchen, a restaurant on Shrewsbury Street. McArthur went to the restaurant, where he was reportedly escorted out by three men. He has not been seen since.

McArthur’s maroon Ford Thunderbird was found abandoned two weeks later in Boston's Combat Zone with multiple parking tickets on the windshield. Inside the vehicle were personal items, including his leather jacket and cigarettes, but there was no sign of McArthur himself. At the time of his disappearance, McArthur was reportedly involved in illicit drug activities and was said to be holding narcotics for someone. His family mentioned that he appeared distressed and upset in the weeks leading up to his disappearance, though he never disclosed the reason to them.

Despite extensive investigations, including searches in bodies of water like Lake Quinsigamond, no trace of McArthur's body was found. Authorities suspect foul play, believing that McArthur may have been murdered and his body disposed of. While some individuals connected to the case have passed away, a prime suspect is still alive and living outside of the United States. McArthur was declared legally dead several years after his disappearance, though his case remains unsolved.
Last Seen: Sep 14, 1982

Links to Additional Sources (10)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Unsolved: Worcester - Charles McArthur - Sept. 14, 1982
  • Charles Hector McArthur Jr. - The Charley Project
  • Unsolved: Worcester - Se. 6, Ep. 2 - Charles McArthur - Sept 14, 1982
  • 40+ years ago man left for Italian Kitchen, was never seen again
  • Unsolved, unsettling - Worcester Telegram
  • McArthur family desperate for answers - Worcester Telegram
  • McArthur, Charles | City of Worcester
  • Vanished from Restaurant Row - Charles McArthur - Sept. 14, 1982
  • MA - Charles McArthur, 39, Worcester, 14 Sept 1982 | Websleuths
  • Unresolved cases - Charles McArthur - YouTube

    • 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.

    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP16439
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts
    UP16439 • Found Jul 25, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%37 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 22 months after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 65%170 lb vs 235–250 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15949
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15949 • Found Mar 29, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 44 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%39 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'2" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 82%296 lb vs 235–250 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14202
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts
    UP14202 • Found Oct 28, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%45 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11"–6'5" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 59%165 lb vs 235–250 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Brookline, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15757
    John Doe — Brookline, Massachusetts
    UP15757 • Found Apr 17, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–65 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%35 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 25 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 100%237 lb vs 235–250 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Webster, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP12944
    John Doe — Webster, Massachusetts
    UP12944 • Found Dec 31, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%15 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 21 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 94%204 lb vs 235–250 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 70%Hazel vs Green
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15890
    John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts
    UP15890 • Found May 2, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–60 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%40 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 34 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 50%157 lb vs 235–250 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Lowell, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15888
    John Doe — Lowell, Massachusetts
    UP15888 • Found Mar 12, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–60 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%36 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 33 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 49%156 lb vs 235–250 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Lunenburg, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14702
    John Doe — Lunenburg, Massachusetts
    UP14702 • Found Jul 7, 2011
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–45 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%23 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 29 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 30%140 lb vs 235–250 lb
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP7395
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
    UP7395 • Found Jul 17, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 64%156 mi away
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 83%190 lb vs 235–250 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 70%Hazel vs Green
    76%Possible
    John Doe — West Milford, New Jersey
    UP1718 • Found Jun 10, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 33–45 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 64%154 mi away
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 76%182 lb vs 235–250 lb
    Hair 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)

    Charles Hector McArthur Jr., 39, of Worcester, Massachusetts, disappeared on September 14, 1982... ...Read More
    11/11/2024

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