Do you know who murdered 16 year old David Mark Schwochert in 1973?
In the quiet city of Burlington, Wisconsin, the start of 1973 was marked by a tragedy that would linger for decades. David Mark Schwochert, a 16-year-old Caucasian male, was a junior at Burlington High School known for his quiet and even-tempered nature. He enjoyed his woodworking class and worked a part-time job as an attendant at the Clark Service Station on Milwaukee Avenue.
On New Year's Eve, David agreed to cover the overnight shift for a coworker who wanted the night off to celebrate. In the early hours of January 1, 1973, in what investigators believe was a crime of opportunity, David was abducted from the gas station. The perpetrator seemingly noticed the lone attendant and targeted him for the cash he would have on hand for making change. While approximately $60 was stolen from David, along with his coin changer, the money in a back room at the station was left untouched.
The search for the missing teenager came to a heartbreaking end around 8 a.m. on New Year's Day. David's body was discovered in a field along Highway 36, about two miles from the gas station where he worked. He was found lying on his back in his blue Clark gas station uniform and had been shot twice in the head with what is believed to be a. 38 caliber firearm. His wallet was later found about a mile from his body, and a bloodstained towel was also recovered. A coin changer, similar to the one David used, was discovered eight to nine miles away from where his body was found.
Despite an investigation and the collection of evidence, which was sent to a state crime lab, no arrests were ever made in connection with David Schwochert's murder. The case grew cold, leaving his family and the community grappling with the senseless loss of a young life. Over the years, the case has remained a painful memory for the residents of Burlington, a stark moment when violence shattered the town's sense of peace. Though decades have passed and evidence has reportedly been resubmitted for analysis with modern technology, the identity of David Schwochert's killer remains a mystery, and his case is still considered unsolved.
