Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Russell Bovit missing person case profile photo

Russell Bovit Missing Person Case

Last seen in Walden, Vermont on May 11, 1986

Victim Details

May 19, 2009

Jun 24, 2022

Russell

Bovit

70

30

71 inches

73 inches

155 lbs

165 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

May 11, 1986

Walden

Vermont

Caledonia County

05873

20283

Vermont State Police - Bradford

Bradford

Vermont

Orange County

05033

1594 Waits River Road, Vermont

8022224680

State

Law Enforcement

https://vsp.vermont.gov/stations/stjohnsbury

86-05093; 05B104564

Vermont State Police - Bradford

7503

Brown

Blue

Blue

No

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP2031) and 16 other sources
Russell Bovit, a 30-year-old man from Walden, Vermont, was last seen on the evening of May 6, 1986, at his dairy farm, Last Resort Farm. He was supposed to attend an 8:00 a.m. real estate meeting the next day but never showed up. His disappearance was reported on May 11 after his car, a light blue 1974 Renault, was found abandoned and stuck in the mud four miles from his farm. Blood was discovered in the trunk and on the passenger side of the car, as well as on Bovit's mattress, which had been flipped to conceal the stains. The blood found in both locations matched, suggesting foul play.

Authorities believe Bovit was murdered, though robbery does not appear to have been the motive. One lead came from convicted murderer Garth Drew, who claimed Bovit's body had been placed in a U-Haul trailer and dumped in Lake Willoughby. Although the lake was searched, no evidence supporting this claim was found. Bovit's parents also hired private investigators, who believed he was killed by someone involved with drugs, though Russell was not known to use drugs or alcohol.

Despite extensive searches and investigations, Bovit's body has never been found, and the case remains unsolved. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Last Seen: May 11, 1986

Links to Additional Sources (16)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Vermont man's cold case disappearance remains unsolved 38 years ...
  • Missing: Russell Bovit - Unsolved Vermont
  • Russell Bovit - The Charley Project
  • DUMPED IN A LAKE IN A UHAUL TRAILER? RUSSELL BOVIT ...
  • 375DMVT - Russell Bovit - Doe Network
  • Case No. 4: The Disappearance of Russell Bovit Dead Wrong
  • Dead Wrong | Podcast on Spotify
  • Russell Bovit Missing Person Investigation (Office of the Attorney ...
  • Walden - Unsolved Vermont
  • Russell Bovit | Vermont State Police
  • Today marks the anniversary of the reported disappearance of 31 ...
  • Russell Bovit, missing 35 years from Vermont : r/UnresolvedMysteries
  • Case No. 4: The Disappearance of Russell Bovit - Podimo
  • The Missing Russel “Russ” Bovit - By Ashleigh Sommers
  • Missing person in Walden, Vermont since 1986 - Facebook
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP2031

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

    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 — Methuen, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14202
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts
    UP14202 • Found Oct 28, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 69%130 mi away
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11"–6'5" vs 5'11"–6'1"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 155–165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP7817
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
    UP7817 • Found Jul 28, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 47%275 mi away
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"–6'1"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 155–165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    75%Possible
    John Doe — West Milford, New Jersey
    UP1718 • Found Jun 10, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 33–45 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 50%254 mi away
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"–6'1"
    Weight 99%182 lb vs 155–165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Weehawken, New Jersey
    UP1673 • Found May 1, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–30 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 48%271 mi away
    TimingFound 24 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"–6'1"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 155–165 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.

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (2)

    Hey everyone, I’ve been digging into the Russell Bovit case from 1986, and something that's really... ...Read More
    07/28/2024
    Hey sleuths, I've been diving into the case of Russell Bovit and just can't stop thinking about the... ...Read More
    07/31/2023

    Other Missing Cases from Vermont

    Richard Windsor missing person case in South Burlington, Vermont

    Richard Windsor

    Missing: Jan 27, 1971
    Richard Kirby Windsor, also known by his middle name, Kirby, was 31 years old when he was last seen ...Read More
    Perry Edmunds missing person case in Pawlet, Vermont

    Perry Edmunds

    Missing: Jul 16, 1976
    Perry Dean Edmunds was a 17-year-old young man from Pawlet, Vermont, in Rutland County, when he was ...Read More
    Donald Myers missing person case in South Burlington, Vermont

    Donald Myers

    Missing: Jan 27, 1971
    On January 27, 1971, Donald Myers, a 33-year-old pilot, disappeared after the private aircraft he ...Read More
    Philip Jackman missing person case in Orange, Vermont

    Philip Jackman

    Missing: Jul 7, 2004
    Philip E. Jackman was 21 years old when he was last known to have contact on July 7, 2004, in ...Read More
    George Nikita missing person case in Burlington, Vermont

    George Nikita

    Missing: Jan 21, 1971
    George Gregor Nikita, a 40-year-old white male with black hair and hazel eyes, standing about ...Read More
    Joseph Gagnon missing person case in Burlington, Vermont

    Joseph Gagnon

    Missing: Mar 14, 2025
    On the evening of Friday, March 14, 2025, 52-year-old Joseph Gagnon of Colchester, Vermont, was ...Read More
    Sean Hawley missing person case in Burlington, Vermont

    Sean Hawley

    Missing: May 9, 2015
    Sean Hawley, age 25, was last seen on May 9, 2015, paddling a black inflatable kayak on Lake ...Read More