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302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP1089) and 3 other sources
In the quiet, rural landscape of Purcellville, Virginia, the story of Charles 'C.W.' Monroe Jr.'s disappearance began on May 8, 2005. At 34 years old, Monroe was a man who lived a simple, secluded life on his family's property. His home was an apartment he had fashioned out of a barn on Edgewood Farm Lane. The last time anyone is known to have had contact with him was at 9:00 p.m. on the evening of May 7, 2005. In the early hours of the following morning, a fire broke out, completely engulfing and destroying his barn residence. When the flames were finally extinguished, there was no sign of Monroe.

Initially, investigators discovered remains within the charred ruins of the barn and believed them to be Monroe's. Funeral arrangements were even made based on this assumption. However, a few months later, in October 2005, a startling announcement was made: the remains were not human but belonged to Monroe's three cherished dogs. This discovery officially turned the incident into a missing person case. Monroe was known for his deep affection for his dogs, and his family found it highly uncharacteristic that he would have either abandoned them or, worse, intentionally set a fire that would have trapped them inside. This detail added a layer of complexity and concern to the investigation into his whereabouts.

The circumstances surrounding Monroe's life and the fire itself have left investigators with a perplexing puzzle. He lived a minimalist lifestyle, devoid of modern conveniences such as a driver's license, bank account, or credit cards, and he kept his cash at his home. A few hours before the fire, he was reportedly seen sleeping in a chair inside his living quarters. The cause of the blaze has never been determined, and authorities do not believe the fire could have been intense enough to completely consume a human body, especially given that the remains of his dogs were found. The case of Charles Monroe Jr. remains an open and unsolved investigation, leaving his family with unanswered questions and a sense of unresolved loss. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office continues to seek any information that might shed light on what happened to him on that spring night in 2005.

Last Seen: May 8, 2005

Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

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 — New York, New York - unidentified case UP5641
John Doe — New York, New York
UP5641 • Found Nov 20, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 96%Est. 35–45 vs 34
Race 100%White
Location 53%225 mi away
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%6'3" vs 6'3"
Weight 100%167 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Alexandria, Virginia - unidentified case UP53878
John Doe — Alexandria, Virginia
UP53878 • Found Oct 9, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%42 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9"–6'2" vs 6'3"
75%Possible
John Doe — Fairmont Heights, Maryland
UP17706 • Found Dec 13, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%46 mi away
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9"–6'1" vs 6'3"
75%Possible
John Doe — Jersey City, New Jersey - unidentified case UP6785
John Doe — Jersey City, New Jersey
UP6785 • Found Jul 29, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 53%223 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%6'2" vs 6'3"
Weight 54%209 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
75%Possible
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP901 • Found May 5, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 29–39 vs 34
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away
TimingFound same day as last seen
Height 52%5'11" vs 6'3"

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.