Foul play suspected after missing airman’s remains found 40 years later

Missing airman

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations Cold Case Team and law enforcement partners depart the forest where Sgt. Donald Rexroth’s remains were recovered. As he was taken the team lined the road to pay full military honors.Air Force Office of Special Investigations

GWINN, MI – The remains of an airman who disappeared 40 years ago have been found near a former base in the Upper Peninsula, according to U.S. Air Force investigators.

Sgt. Donald C. Rexroth was assigned to K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base near Gwinn when he disappeared in May 1979.

His remains were discovered by hunters in November 2017 and matched to Rexroth in July, but Air Force officials now say foul play is suspected and there are “several unanswered questions” surrounding his death.

Special Agent Charles Pipkins, who matched the remains to Rexroth, spoke with his family members during his investigation, which began in 2017.

Rexroth’s mother and siblings are adamant that foul play is involved in his disappearance, insisting that he wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye, according to a news release.

“I’m glad we could offer some closure to Sgt. Rexroth’s family,” Pipkins said. “Now our hope is that someone comes forward with new information to help us figure out what happened to Rexroth.”

Anyone with information relevant to the disappearance of Rexroth is urged to contact the AFOSI Tipline at 1-877-246-1453, or submit the tip anonymously online.

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