Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: July 27, 1988 from Phoenix, Arizona Classification: Non-Family Abduction Date Of Birth: October 1, 1974 Age: 13 years old Height and Weight: 5'5 - 5'6, 106 - 116 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: African-American male. Black hair, brown eyes. Myron has a half-inch scar on the right side of his head. Clothing/Jewelry Description: A red and white striped shirt, blue and white print shorts and white sneakers.
Details of Disappearance
Myron was walking to his grandparents' house with his mother in Phoenix, Arizona on July 27, 1988. His grandparents' residence was located on east Pecan Road, approximately one-half block from Myron's family's home. Myron stopped at OK Fish-N-Chips, which was located on 16th Street and Southern Avenue, to purchase a soft drink while his mother continued ahead. He was last seen at approximately 6:00 p.m. outside the stand after purchasing a soda. Myron has never been heard from again. He was carrying a bag of dirty laundry at the time of his disappearance; Myron planned to wash the clothes at his grandparents' home.Myron's mother's then-boyfriend, Gettus Leroy Mintz, is the only suspect in his disappearance. He was one of the four witnesses who saw Myron at OK Fish-N-Chips the evening of his disappearance. Myron's aunt said that one of Mintz's arms was in a sling shortly after Myron vanished. He claimed the injury resulted from a dog bite. Investigators stated that the boyfriend was involved with drugs in 1988. Authorities theorized that Myron confronted the man regarding his lifestyle after seeing him at OK Fish-N-Chips and was murdered shortly thereafter.
A photo of Mintz is posted below this case summary. In 2009, he stabbed his girlfriend and her mother in Peoria, Arizona. His girlfriend died, and Mintz was convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated assault and sentenced to forty-two years in prison. He has refused to be interviewed about Myron's case.
Investigators received an anonymous letter in 1991 that claimed Myron was buried on private property near 24th Street and Jones Avenue in Phoenix. A search of the location produced no evidence regarding his case. Authorities believe that Myron was killed and buried near his last known location. Myron's mother died in March 2002, nearly 14 years after her son disappeared. His case remains unsolved.
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Above: Gettus Mintz, circa 2009
Investigating Agencies
Source Information
Updated 5 times since October 12, 2004.
Last updated February 10, 2013; picture added, details of disappearance updated.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Phoenix Police Department
602-495-5394
OR
Federal Bureau Of Investigation
202-324-3000
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
Nation's Missing Children Organization
The Arizona Republic
Phoenix Police Department
NamUs
Arizona Department of Corrections
3TV News