In the autumn of 1965, a 32-year-old U.S. Navy veteran named John Robert 'Bobby' Davidson was building a new life in Phoenix, Arizona. Having recently gone through a divorce, he had relocated to the city that March and was working as an appliance repairman for the Byassee Equipment Company. His employer was so impressed with his work ethic and rapport with customers that he was considering making him a partner in the business.
On the evening of November 20, 1965, Davidson cashed his $90 paycheck after work and went back to his apartment near 20th Street and Roosevelt to freshen up. He then drove his Mercedes to Kissel's Cocktail Lounge, located at 25 E. Monroe St. in downtown Phoenix.
Witnesses at the lounge recalled Davidson having a single drink before he left around 10 p.m., mentioning he was going to get dinner. This was the last time anyone reported seeing John 'Bobby' Davidson. Sometime later, his Mercedes was found locked and abandoned in a loading zone near the cocktail lounge. Inside the trunk were all of his work tools, including an expensive electronics tester worth $140. The discovery of his car with his valuable tools left behind was one of the first signs that his disappearance was not voluntary.
The investigation into his whereabouts revealed a man who was unlikely to have left on his own. Davidson had recently made a car payment and paid his rent in advance. He left behind all of his clothing and personal possessions in his apartment. He also owned a cabin in Prescott, Arizona, that he enjoyed visiting, which was left untouched. His ex-wife had since remarried, and while he didn't have family in the immediate Phoenix area, his boss and acquaintances described him as a reliable and well-liked individual with no known enemies. They firmly believed that he would not have just walked away from his life without informing someone. The Phoenix Police Department has investigated his case, but for decades, no trace of John Robert Davidson has been found, leaving his disappearance an unresolved mystery.Last Seen: Nov 20, 1965
