Account
Nov 15, 2012
Dec 18, 2023
David
Watson
65
18
67 inches
68 inches
140 lbs
150 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In the autumn of 1976, a young man named David Alan Watson, just 18 years old, disappeared from his home in Arlington, Virginia. On the afternoon of November 10th, he set out on foot to visit a friend who lived nearby. David, described as a Caucasian male with shoulder-length brown hair and green eyes, was wearing what was typical for the era: bell-bottom jeans, a jean jacket, and a brown leather belt with a prominent buckle. He also had a distinctive homemade tattoo on his right bicep of his initials, "D.A.W.," with a scroll design underneath. He left his residence around 4:30 p.m., but he never made it to his friend's house and was never seen or heard from again. His departure into the crisp November air marked the beginning of a mystery that would stretch on for decades, leaving his family and community with unanswered questions. The initial investigation into David's disappearance yielded few clues. Law enforcement was notified, and a case was opened with the Arlington County Police Department. Despite their efforts, the trail quickly went cold. There were no signs of foul play at his home, and no witnesses came forward with information about his whereabouts after he left. The circumstances surrounding his vanishing were perplexing; he was simply gone. Over the years, his case has been shared by various organizations dedicated to finding missing persons, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Age-progressed photos have been created and circulated, showing what David might look like as he aged, in the hope that someone might recognize him. Decades have passed since David Watson was last seen, and his case remains an unresolved and poignant story of loss. The lack of any significant leads or new information over such a long period has been agonizing for those who knew him. His family has endured years of uncertainty, holding onto the hope that one day they might learn what happened to him. The case is a stark reminder of the lasting impact a disappearance has on a family and a community. While the official investigation remains open with the Arlington County Police Department, the passage of time has made the likelihood of finding definitive answers increasingly challenging. The story of David Alan Watson is one of a young man who seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving behind a void and a collection of unanswered questions that have echoed through the years.
Nov 10, 1976
Arlington
Virginia
Arlington County
22202
12641
Arlington County Police Department
Arlington
Virginia
Arlington County
22201
Rosa Ortiz
Cold Case Detective
1425 N Courthouse Road, Virginia
7035582222
County
Law Enforcement
761113088
1976-11-10
Arlington County Police Department
Brown
Green
Green
06/20/2026
