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Wilfred King, III Missing Person Case

Last seen in Essex, Vermont on Oct 24, 1980

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Victim Details

Apr 24, 2014

Nov 15, 2022

Wilfred

King, III

83

37

63 inches

65 inches

130 lbs

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Oct 24, 1980

Essex

Vermont

Chittenden County

05454

15195

Essex Police Department

Essex

Vermont

Chittenden County

05452

Rick Garey

Chief

145 Maple Street Extension, Vermont

8028794923

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.essexvt.org/288/Police

80-3337

Oct 24, 1980

Essex Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

Sep 28, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP24348) and 12 other sources
Wilfred "Butch" King III, aged 37, was last seen on October 24, 1980, at his home in Essex, Vermont. He left his residence that evening driving his blue and white 1979 Chevrolet Blazer. King had been recovering from a severe accident two years prior, which left him reliant on crutches to walk. His crutches, stained with blood, were later found by hunters in a wooded area in Colchester, Vermont, the day he was reported missing. Two weeks after his disappearance, his truck was discovered abandoned and burned in a gravel pit in Williston, Vermont.

At the time of his disappearance, King was going through a difficult divorce from his estranged wife, Diane, which raised suspicions of foul play. Diane initially agreed to cooperate with the investigation but later refused to take a polygraph test. She also instructed her children not to speak with the police. Following Wilfred's disappearance, Diane moved back into the family home with two men who damaged Wilfred’s property. Over the years, Wilfred’s parents suspected that Diane might have been involved in orchestrating his murder to gain his estate, but no one was ever charged in the case.

Wilfred’s case remains unsolved, and authorities believe he was the victim of a homicide. Despite extensive investigations, including multiple searches and court inquests, his body has never been found.
Last Seen: Oct 24, 1980

Links to Additional Sources (12)

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  • Missing: Wilfred King III - Unsolved Vermont
  • 37 year-old Wilfred King was... - Vermont State Police | Facebook
  • Wilfred Fred King III - The Charley Project
  • 1780DMVT - Wilfred F. King III - Doe Network
  • Vermont State Police - 37 year-old Wilfred King was reported ...
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Wilfred King - Newspapers.com™
  • 1780DMVT - Wilfred King III - Doe Network
  • The Disappearance of Wilfred Butch King III (Vermont)
  • The Mysterious Cold Case Disappearance of Wilfred “Butch” King III ...
  • Wilfred King, age 37, was reported missing from his Essex residence ...
  • VT - Wilfred Fred King III, 37, Essex, 24 Oct 1980 | Websleuths

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    75%Possible
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP9079
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
    UP9079 • Found Aug 2, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 37 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 47%285 mi away
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'3"–5'5"
    Weight 100%140 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Wilfred Butch King III, 37, was last seen at his Essex, Vermont home on October 24, 1980, leaving in... ...Read More
    05/23/2024

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