Do you know who murdered Robert T Duncan in 1991? Robert T. Duncan, a 50-year-old White male, arrived for work before dawn at Sunnyside School in Southeast Portland on September 16, 1991, where he served as a longtime custodian for Portland Public Schools and cared for his disabled wife at home. Around the same time, neighbors near SE 35th Avenue and SE Salmon Street heard screams and called 911; school police officers reached the campus and found Duncan stabbed to death near the flagpole outside the building.
Investigators quickly realized Duncan’s wallet was missing from the scene, and it was discovered discarded several blocks away—an early clue that pointed toward robbery amid the violence. Multiple witnesses reported seeing a person run from the school grounds in dark clothing; others described a heavy-set woman in dark attire—possibly a blue security-style jacket with an emblem—estimated at 25 to 28 years old and about 5'3", who was seen throwing away an object later identified as Duncan’s wallet and then walking onto a nearby gas station lot on SE 39th Avenue and SE Belmont Street.
Duncan’s death stunned the school community—he had worked for the district for roughly 15 years and was known at Sunnyside for his steady presence—while detectives canvassed for leads and pieced together the early-morning timeline from the flurry of 911 calls and eyewitness accounts. The portrait that emerged was of a targeted confrontation outside the closed school, followed by a brief flight from the scene and the disposal of key personal property just a few blocks away.
Despite those eyewitness descriptions and the recovery of the wallet, no arrests were made, and the case remains unsolved. Authorities have continued to appeal for information, emphasizing that tips leading to an arrest could qualify for a cash reward. Public case summaries list Duncan as Caucasian/White and male, and reiterate that the investigation is open with no identified suspect in custody.
