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Roger Madison Missing Person Case

Last seen in Sylmar, California on Dec 16, 1968

Victim Details

Jan 9, 2010

Mar 22, 2018

Roger

Madison

72

15

68 inches

145 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Dec 16, 1968

Sylmar

California

Los Angeles County

26256

Los Angeles Police Department

Los Angeles

California

,

06-1617540

Los Angeles Police Department

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 2, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP4637) and 7 other sources
Roger Dale Madison, a 15-year-old from Sylmar, California, went missing on December 16, 1968. After an argument with his father about smoking, Roger left his home on his motorcycle and never returned. Initially, it was believed that he might have run away. However, in 1970, serial killer Mack Ray Edwards confessed to his murder, along with several other children. Edwards, who lived near the Madison family, was known to Roger and had gained his trust. <br> <br>According to Edwards' confession, he lured Roger to an orange grove where he stabbed him to death and buried his body under the Route 23 Freeway, which was under construction at the time. Edwards, a heavy equipment operator, used a bulldozer to conceal the body at the construction site. Despite Edwards leading authorities to the location, Roger's remains were never found. <br> <br>Edwards, who had been convicted of other child murders, committed suicide in prison in 1971 before he could be tried for Roger's case or other victims he confessed to. In 2008, renewed efforts were made to locate Roger's remains under the freeway, but the search was called off without success. <br> <br>Roger's case remains unsolved, though authorities strongly believe Edwards was responsible for his death. Investigations into the possible burial sites of Edwards' other victims continue.
Last Seen: Dec 16, 1968

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Roger Dale Madison - The Charley Project
  • Roger Madison | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Investigators to dig up freeway for Sylmar boy killed 40 years ago
  • 3325DMCA - Roger Dale Madison - Doe Network
  • ROGER DALE MADISON MISSING FROM... - Missing - Please Find Us
  • Digging fails to unearth body of teen buried 40 years ago
  • Dig Begins For Serial Killer's Victim, 40 Years Later - NPR

    • 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.

    84%Moderate
    John Doe — Wilmington, California - unidentified case UP4465
    John Doe — Wilmington, California
    UP4465 • Found Feb 6, 1973
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%38 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%135–160 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4340 • Found Jun 7, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 94%Est. 28–38 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%21 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%142 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — Hollywood, California
    UP4372 • Found Jul 20, 1980
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–27 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%16 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 99%130 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4441 • Found Jun 27, 1977
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%21 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%145–165 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — California - unidentified case UP16758
    John Doe — California
    UP16758 • Found Nov 9, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%39 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4180 • Found Dec 22, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–25 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%21 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%134 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Bell, California - unidentified case UP4399
    John Doe — Bell, California
    UP4399 • Found Sep 19, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 15–25 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%28 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 98%129 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Wilmington, California - unidentified case UP72085
    John Doe — Wilmington, California
    UP72085 • Found Apr 22, 1973
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%38 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 75%5'2"–5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%135–160 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Reseda, California
    UP3888 • Found Aug 19, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–28 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%8 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP3901 • Found Jun 24, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%21 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 92%165 lb vs 145 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 (3)

    I came across a really chilling aspect of Roger Dale Madison's disappearance. Did you guys know that... ...Read More
    09/01/2024
    Has anyone else been left wondering about the lack of physical evidence in the Roger Dale Madison... ...Read More
    04/28/2023
    I was reading about Roger Dale Madison's case and something struck me about the connection between... ...Read More
    03/11/2023

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