In the late summer of 1978, a young man named Richard Carter, known affectionately as Ricky to his friends and family, vanished from his hometown of New Bedford, Massachusetts. At 22 years old, Ricky was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served his country in the Philippines. After his honorable service, he returned to the familiar surroundings of New Bedford, where he had grown up as one of many siblings. Upon his return, he found work assisting his uncle, a horse trainer.
The last confirmed sighting of Ricky occurred over Labor Day weekend of that year, a time typically marked by the end of summer celebrations. The specific details surrounding his disappearance remain scarce, leaving a void of information for those who knew and loved him.
Richard Carter was a man of notable stature and distinct features. He stood at an impressive six feet two inches tall with an athletic build, weighing approximately 190 pounds. A light to medium complexioned man of Cape Verdean and African American descent, he had brown hair and eyes that were described as brown or hazel. Two scars marked his body; one on his left cheek and another on his stomach. These physical details, while creating a clear picture of the man he was, have unfortunately not led to any breakthroughs in his case over the many years that have passed since he was last seen.
The disappearance of Richard "Ricky" Carter has remained an open and unsolved case, a painful and lingering mystery for his family and the community of New Bedford. The passage of time has not diminished the hope for answers, and his case is now included in the Bristol County District Attorney's Office's efforts to bring resolution to cold cases. The lack of concrete leads has been a significant challenge for investigators throughout the decades. Despite the extensive period that has passed, law enforcement agencies, including the Massachusetts State Police, continue to seek any information that might shed light on what happened to the young Marine veteran who disappeared so long ago. The case is a somber reminder of the enduring pain and uncertainty that accompanies the disappearance of a loved one, a story without an ending that continues to compel a search for the truth.Last Seen: Sep 4, 1978
