David Wayne Waggoner, 23 years old, was last seen around October 1, 1971, in Pasadena, Texas. His family had not seen him in a couple of weeks, and when his mother went to his apartment on Lafferty Street, she found him missing. The only items he appeared to have taken with him were the clothes he wore, his wallet, and a 9 mm pistol. His car was left parked in front of his apartment, with the keys in the ignition, while his suitcase and a small amount of money were still inside the home.
Two weeks after his disappearance, a hunter found David’s red Honda 350 motorcycle parked in a wooded area off U.S. Highway 59, near Cold Springs in San Jacinto County, approximately 70 miles north of Houston. His helmet was discovered placed on top of the motorcycle, but there was no further sign of David.
David's family suspects that he may have encountered Sheriff James "Humpy" Parker of San Jacinto County, who was later convicted for detaining and torturing young men, particularly targeting motorcyclists and "hippies." Parker and his deputies were notorious for abusing their power along U.S. Highway 59 during the 1970s, and their actions became the subject of a book, *Terror on Highway 59*. While no direct link has been established between Waggoner’s disappearance and Parker, the family remains convinced that foul play was involved.
David had previously served in the United States Marine Corps and was close to his family, making it unlikely that he would have left voluntarily without contacting them. His case remains unsolved, and he is classified as an endangered missing person. Investigations continue, with authorities still seeking information that could help solve the mystery of his disappearance.Last Seen: Oct 1, 1971
