Account
Aug 18, 2021
Jan 31, 2022
Lawrence
Fernandes
71
68
81 inches
300 lbs
350 lbs
Black / African American
Male
In June of 2021, 68-year-old Lawrence Joseph Fernandes, a male from New Bedford, Massachusetts, embarked on a journey that should have taken him to Charlotte, North Carolina. On June 9th, he boarded a Greyhound bus at South Station in Boston, with plans to reunite with family. He kept in contact with his loved ones during the initial part of his trip, checking in at various rest stops along the way. However, all communication ceased after he reached Richmond, Virginia, on June 10, 2021. Concern grew when it was discovered that his ticket for the connecting bus to North Carolina was never scanned, indicating he never continued his journey from Richmond. The weeks and months that followed were filled with uncertainty for Mr. Fernandes' family and friends. A missing person report was filed, and the New Bedford Police Department began an investigation into his disappearance. Despite efforts to locate him, there were no credible sightings or leads on his whereabouts. The lack of information was agonizing for those who knew and cared for him, leaving them to wonder what could have happened to him after he arrived in Richmond. His case was a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the pain that accompanies the unknown. Tragically, in January 2022, human remains were discovered in a wooded area near the James River on Ampthill Road in Richmond, Virginia. While conclusive identification through DNA or dental records was not immediately available, authorities believed the remains were likely those of Lawrence Fernandes based on personal effects found at the scene. The New Bedford Police Department was notified by Richmond police of the discovery. At the time the remains were found, there was no evidence of foul play, and the cause of death was pending an investigation by the medical examiner. The discovery brought a sad conclusion to the search for Mr. Fernandes, ending his family's hope for his safe return and leaving them to grieve their loss. The overview of this case reveals a man who set out on a routine bus trip, only to vanish without a trace until his remains were found months later, leaving behind a family to mourn and a community to remember a life cut short.
Jun 10, 2021
Richmond
Virginia
Richmond City
Richmond
No
106626
New Bedford Police Department
New Bedford
Massachusetts
Bristol County
02740
Victor Mendes
Detective Sergeant
West End - Headquarters, Massachusetts
5089916300
Local
Law Enforcement
21-7861-0F
2021-07-01
New Bedford Police Department
Gray or Partially Gray
Brown
Brown
Yes
06/24/2026
