Shaw's green Buick was found smashed into a tree off of Highway 40 in Wagram, North Carolina on March 15, 1982. There was no sign of Shaw at the accident scene and he has never been heard from again. The car keys were in the ignition and the headlights were turned on when investigators located the vehicle. The Wagram area had heavy rainfall pass through during the suspected time of Shaw's accident. Authorities believe he was a victim of foul play.

Shaw has been employed in theatre, mobile home service, broadcast advertising sales and industrial waste water plant operations. He is a distance runner and frequently donated blood to the American Red Cross prior to his 1982 disappearance. Shaw is described as a casual dresser. Investigators do not believe that he was carrying any identification or jewelry at the time of his disappearance. His case remains unsolved.