21 replies to this topic

[Jenn]

http://www.winfieldc...43923519433.txt

ONLINE EXTRA — Winfield man missing


This man, Richard D. May, has been reported missing by his family Thursday, according to a written statement from the Winfield Police Department.

By Courier staff  Published: Thursday, December 31, 2009 7:09 PM CST

A Winfield man has been reported missing, according to a written statement from the Winfield Police Department.

May was reported missing by his family Thursday. The last known contact May had with his family was on Nov. 30. Subsequent investigation, however, has shown that he was in the Winfield area on Dec. 10.

May is familiar to many members of the community as he regularly plays his harmonica while out shopping and doing business in Winfield.

May is a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, about 225 pounds, with gray hair and hazel eyes. He drives a 2002 Ford Windstar van. The van is champagne in color and has Kansas license plate WAB 495. The van has damage on the front passenger side quarter panel. The damage has been covered by gray spray paint.

If you have any information concerning the location of Mr. May, please call the Winfield Police Department, (620) 221-5555.

[Jenn]

http://www.kake.com/...s/80465102.html

Search Underway For Missing Winfield Man

Reporter: KAKE News

Winfield police asking for help locating a missing man.

According to Winfield authorities, Richard May, a 77 year old man, was last seen on December tenth by a bank teller in Winfield.

May is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 225 pounds. He drives a 2002 champagne colored Ford Winstar can with Kansas license plate WAB 495.

If you have any information you are asked to call Winfield police at (620)-221-5555.

[Jenn]

http://www.kansas.co...ry/1124919.html

Search continues for Winfield's missing "Harmonica Man"

BY RICK PLUMLEE The Wichita Eagle

Police continue to search for Richard D. May, who is known as the "Harmonica Man" in Winfield. The 77-year-old Winfield resident was last seen in his hometown on Dec. 10.

May is well known for playing his harmonica in restaurants and stores around Winfield, the Winfield police dispatcher said today.

Since first requesting the public's help last Friday, police said they have received tips from a few people who believe they saw May at various locations and times in Winfield. Police are investigating those tips.

May is a white male, approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and weighs about 225 pounds. He has gray thinning hair and hazel eyes. He's believed to be driving a champagne-colored 2002 Ford Winstar van, which has damage on the front quarter panel on the passenger side.

Anyone with information should call the Winfield police at 620-221-5555.

[Jenn]

http://www.kfsm.com/...0,7340179.story

Winfield police continue looking for man who has been missing since Nov. 30

By Associated Press
8:12 AM CST, January 6, 2010

WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) — Winfield police are looking for a man who hasn't been seen since November.

Police say the last known contact Richard D. May had with his family was on Nov. 30. However, he was confirmed to have been in the Winfield area on Dec. 10.

May is a white male who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 225 pounds, and has gray hair and hazel eyes.

He drives a 2002 Ford Windstar van. The champagne-colored van has Kansas license plate WAB 495. The front, passenger's-side quarter panel was damaged and is covered by gray spray paint.

[Jenn]

http://www.koamtv.co....asp?S=11777063

Search for Winfield man missing since Nov. 30

Associated Press - January 6, 2010 9:14 AM ET

WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) - Winfield police are looking for a man who hasn't been seen since November.

Police say the last known contact Richard D. May had with his family was on Nov. 30. However, he was confirmed to have been in the Winfield area on Dec. 10.

May is a white male who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 225 pounds, and has gray hair and hazel eyes.

He drives a 2002 Ford Windstar van. The champagne-colored van has Kansas license plate WAB 495. The front, passenger's-side quarter panel was damaged and is covered by gray spray paint.

[Jenn]

http://www.winfieldc...00631445868.txt

Police still searching for May

Published: Wednesday, January 6, 2010 1:06 PM CST

The Winfield Police Department is again asking for assistance from the community to help locate a missing adult subject. Richard D. May, 77 Winfield, was reported missing by his family on Dec. 31, 2009. The family reported that the last time anyone in the family had contact with May was on Nov. 30, 2009. Subsequent investigation has confirmed May was still in the Winfield area on Dec. 10, 2009.

Since the initial release, the Winfield Police Department has received tips from a few citizens who believe they have seen May at various locations and times. Investigators are working to confirm these tips but his whereabouts are still unknown.

May is a white male 77 years of age. He is approximately 5' 9" and weighs 225 pounds. He has gray thinning hair and hazel eyes. Mr. May is believed to be driving a 2002 Ford Windstar van that is champagne in color. The van has damage on the front passenger side quarter panel that has been covered with gray spray paint. May is well known to his friends and family for playing a harmonica and often speaks to others about this pastime.

Anyone with any information concerning Richard May is asked to call the Winfield Police Department at (620) 221-5555.

If you believe you have sighted May or his vehicle, please call the Winfield Police Department immediately so officers can attempt to locate him and ascertain his condition.

[Lori Davis]

http://www.ktul.com/...110/695282.html

Man Missing For More Than A Month
posted 01/12/10 2:28 pm

Pawhuska - Authorities in Kansas are asking for help in locating a man who has been missing for more than a month now and was last seen in Pawhuska.

> The Winfield, Kansas, police department says 77-year-old Richard Dean May has been missing since December 10th. He was last seen on that day at about 5 p.m. in the Pawhuska area in his champagne-colored 2002 Ford Windstar van with damage to the right front fender.

Investigators say May could have been on his way to Newkirk from Pawhuska.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Winfield Police Department at (620) 221-5555 or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463.

[Jenn]

http://www.ksn.com/n...HxUSCGzn4g.cspx

Search continues for missing Winfield man

Last Update: 1/12 2:12 pm

WINFIELD, Kansas – Winfield police are still asking for the public’s help in finding a man that’s been missing since December 10, 2009.

Richard Dean May, 77, was last seen in the Pawhuska, Oklahoma area on December 10th at around 5 p.m. He was in a champagne colored Ford Windstar van, which has damage to the front, right fender. The area had been spray painted grey or silver.

May could have been headed toward the Newkirk, Oklahoma area.

Anyone with any information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Winfield Police Department at 620-221-5555 or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at 800-572-7463.

[Jenn]

http://www.newscow.n...hp?StoryID=3538

Search for Richard D. May leads to Oklahoma

By Shane Farley
January 12, 2010 - 5:09:28 pm

Investigators leading the search for Richard D. May said Tuesday that they now know the Winfield man visted a friend in Oklahoma on the day he was last seen.

The friend confirmed to Winfield police that May was in Pawhuska, Okla. around 5 p.m. on Dec. 10, which is the last day anyone has reported seeing him, says Winfield Police investigator Chad Gordon. May, 77, visted friends in Oklahoma from time to time.

“We know he was in Pawhuska and he left and was supposed to be headed to Newkirk,” Gordon said. “Well, he never made it to Newkirk.”

Police and an investigator from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, following up on information received during the investigation, were in Oklahoma Monday conducting interviews in the case. Gordon released the latest information in hopes someone in Oklahoma saw May.

Police believe May was driving a champagne colored 2002 Ford Windstar at the time of his disappearance. The vehicle had damage to the right fender that had been spray painted either gray or silver.

May was most familiar to Winfield residents as the Harmonica Man because he was often seen publicly playing a harmonic. He is a long-time local resident.

Gordon has been assigned to lead the search for May and said finding the man was a high priority. He said there was no reason so far to believe foul play was involved in the man's disappearance.

“Obviously, we need to find and make contact with Mr. May,” Gordon said. “And the longer this stretches out, the more concern we have for his well being.”

May was last in contact with his family Nov. 30 but was seen as recently as Dec. 10. He was reported missing Dec. 31.

[Jenn]

http://www.ktul.com/...110/696066.html

Missing Kansas Man Thought To Be In Oklahoma

posted 01/14/10 1:03 pm

Winfield, KS - The Winfield, Kansas Police continue the search for a missing elderly man.  Richard D. May, 77, was last seen December 10, 2009 in Pawhuska.

May was driving a champagne colored 2002 Ford Winstar with some right front fender damage.  That area was spray painted Grey and Silver.

May could have been on his way from Pawhuska to Newkirk.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Winfield Police Department at (620) 221-5555 or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463.

[Lori Davis]

http://www.kwch.com/....asp?S=11864827

Winfield Police Ask For More Help to Locate Missing Man
by Robert Marin
1/22/2010

(WINFIELD, Kan.)- The Winfield Police Department wants area landowners to check their property in connection with the search for a missing man.

77-year-old Richard May was reported missing by his family on January 1st. Winfield Police says they cannot confirm any activity by May since December 10th, 2009.

Investigators say they have received several tips about May, but so far he has not been located.

With both the length of time May has been gone, and the fact that there has been no activity by May, Winfield Police are asking people who own or lease land in the area to take time to check their property. They would like people to check areas where a vehicle could be parked, have pulled off a public road, as well as tree lines and water ways.

Investigators say May owned a champagne colored 2002 Ford Windstar mini-van, license plate number WAB 495. The van had gray spray paint on the front passenger side quarter panel.

May is 5' 9" tall and weighs 225 pounds. If you think you see May, or know anything where he might be, call Winfield Police at (620)221-5555.

[Jenn]

http://www.newscow.n...hp?StoryID=3623

Prosecutor's office 'assisting' in May search

By Shane Farley
February 9, 2010 - 7:06:47 pm

The Cowley County Attorney's office is “assisting” the Winfield Police Dept. in the search for missing local resident Richard May, county attorney Chris Smith said.

While this would seem to indicate that investigators believe there is a criminal element involved in May's disappearance, both Smith and Winfield chief Danny Parker said the investigation remains a missing person case.

“This (case) is a priority for the police department and my office,” Smith said. “But right now it's a disappearance case, that hasn't changed.”

Smith said he could offer no offer further comment in regard to the investigation though he did acknowledge that activity in the case had picked up in the last week or so. No charges have been filed in the case and May has not been located.

May was last in contact with his family Nov. 30 and family members reported him missing a couple weeks later. The last reported sighting of May occurred Dec. 10.

His 2002 Champagne-colored Ford Windstar van is missing, too.

The 77-year-old man's family told NewsCow that May was a helpful and giving person who sometimes “helped the wrong people.”

May is known locally as the Harmonica Man because he often played his harmonica in public.

[Jenn]

http://www.kake.com/...s/87112767.html

Missing Winfield Man's Van Found
Winfield police say the investigation now includes searching for May's remains.

Reporter: Cayle Thompson  Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Winfield authorities say the van belonging to a missing man has been found.

77-year-old Richard May vanished in early December 2009. At a morning briefing authorities said May's van was found in Osage County, Oklahoma, Friday, March 5th. Authorities have not ruled out foul play in his disappearance.

May was last seen in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, on Dec. 10, 2009.

Anybody with information on May's whereabouts is urged to call Winfield Police at (620) 221-5555.

[Jenn]

http://www.news9.com....asp?S=12108930

Missing Kansas Man's Van Found In Osage County

Posted: Mar 09, 2010 11:32 AM EST Updated: Mar 09, 2010 12:30 PM EST



PAWHUSKA, OK -- The van of a missing 77-year-old Winfield, Kansas man has been located in a remote section of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Osage County.

Richard May was last seen in Pawhuska on December 10, 2009.

His van was discovered by ranch hands last Friday in the middle of a field.

The Winfield Police Department in south central Kansas says this case is still a missing person's case, but they now believe they are looking for May's body, now that they have found the van.

The Osage County Sheriff's Office is processing the van.

Winfield Police say they believe the van had been at this location for a while and say foul play has not been ruled out.

Searchers had to use four-wheelers to scour the area around where the van was found.

Winfield Police say Richard May was not found.

Anyone with information about May or about the van is asked to contact the Winfield Police Department at 620-221-5555.

[Jenn]

Charley Project Profile for Richard: http://www.charleypr...ay_richard.html

[porchlight]

http://www.kake.com/..._111682329.html
One Year Anniversary Since Disappearance Of Winfield Man
Today marks the one year anniversary since Winfield resident Richard May has been seen.

Reporter: News Release
Friday, December 10, 2010

On December 10, 2009, seventy-seven year old, Mr. Richard May (also known as “The Harmonica Man”) left an associate’s residence in Pawhuska, Oklahoma and has not been seen or heard from since.

Marking the second Christmas and/or one year anniversary of his disappearance, the Winfield Police Department is reminding the public of this incident and continuing to ask for assistance in this investigation. Although some advancements have been made in the case, it has yet to be concluded. Any assistance or information from the community would be greatly appreciated by family members and law enforcement.

Information may be supplied to the Winfield Police Department by calling at (620) 221-5555, emailing Sgt. Chad Gordon at cgordon@winfieldks.org, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) KS CRIME (800 572-7463) or you may remain anonymous by calling Cowley County Crime Stoppers at (620) 221-7777 or by using your computer by contacting www.tipsubmit.com.

[Lori Davis]

Human remains found in Oklahoma could be missing Winfield man
77-year-old Richard May has been missing since December 2009

By TRAVELER STAFF
Published: Saturday, October 8, 2011 12:54 AM CDT

PEARSONIA, Okla. — Law enforcement authorities think they might have found the remains of a Winfield man who disappeared in December 2009.

Richard May, 77, was reported missing by his family Dec. 31, 2009. Their last contact with him had been Nov. 30, 2009. He last was seen Dec. 10, 2009, in Pawhuska, Okla.

Read more: http://www.arkcity.n...8d486886291.txt

[Denise Harrison]

http://www.arkcity.n...8d486886291.txt

Human remains found in Oklahoma could be missing Winfield man

77-year-old Richard May has been missing since December 2009

By TRAVELER STAFF
Published:
Saturday, October 8, 2011 12:54 AM CDT

PEARSONIA, Okla. — Law enforcement authorities think they might have found the remains of a Winfield man who disappeared in December 2009.

Richard May, 77, was reported missing by his family Dec. 31, 2009. Their last contact with him had been Nov. 30, 2009. He last was seen Dec. 10, 2009, in Pawhuska, Okla.

May's van later was found abandoned near Pearsonia, but an extensive search of the area did not locate any trace of him, according to Chief Deputy Charles Cartwright, of the Osage County Sheriff's Department.

The case remained open until around Sept. 15, when ranch hands who were cutting cross-country on 4-wheelers near Pearsonia encountered human skeletal remains lying in a creek bed not far from where May's van was abandoned, Cartwright said.

To read the rest of the article, click the link above.

[Jenn]

May case resumes when ranch hands find skeletal remains

By Courier Staff  Published: Friday, October 7, 2011 11:49 PM CDT

Skeletal remains found near Personia, Okla., are believed to belong to Winfield resident Richard May, who has been reported missing since December 2009.

Chief Deputy Charles Cartwright, Osage County Sheriff’s Department, told the Pawhuska Journal-Capital that ranch hands were cutting cross-country on their four-wheelers near Personia when they came across skeletal remains lying in a creek bed not far from where May’s van was found abandoned. The ranch hands then notified their local sheriff’s department, which responded to the call.

The OCSD recovered the remains and delivered them to the emergency medical examiner, who determined that they belong to an older male and are consistent with what might be expected in the May case.

May, who was 77 at the time of his disapperance, was reported missing by family members in December 2009. He was well-known locally for playing his harmonica.

Read more: http://www.winfieldc...20832991694.txt

[Lori Davis]

https://www.findthem...n/cases/5207/34
NamUs profile for Richard May - Case 5207

[Lori Davis]

http://www.winfieldc...2c562530543.txt

Richard May’s remains laid to rest

By DONETTA GODSEY
Courier Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 12:10 AM CDT

The remains of Winfield resident Richard D. May, a 77-year-old man who went missing in December 2009, have finally been laid to rest, according to his daughter Linda Gann.

A private service was held at the family plot on June 30 in Highland Cemetery.

“He’s finally back where he belongs,” Gann said, “with mother.”

Well-known locally as the “Harmonica Man,” May was frequently seen playing his harmonica while out shopping and doing business in and around Winfield.

He was reported missing by his family on Dec. 31, 2009, after his last known contact with them on Nov. 30. Further investigation had reports of his being seen in the Winfield area on Dec. 10, 2009, and later that same day in the vicinity of Pawhuska, Okla.

On March 9, 2010, ranch hands discovered May’s locked 2002 Ford Windstar van, mired in ruts in an area of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve about 20 miles north of Pawhuska in Osage County near the Kansas-Oklahoma border.

Winfield Police Chief Danny Parker said in a press release at that time, “Investigators believe the van had been in that location for an extended period of time,” but no trace of May was found.

In October 2011 skeletal remains believed to be those of May were discovered lying in a creek bed near Personia, Okla. — about two miles from where the van had been found — by ranch hands cutting cross-country on four-wheelers.

The Osage County Sheriff’s Department delivered the remains to the emergency medical examiner, who determined they belonged to an older male and were consistent with the May case.

About a year ago, some reshuffling of positions was done at the Winfield Police Department, Parker said. Lt. Kurt Weber became head of investigations and began diligently reworking the case.

“We basically went back to square one,” Parker said. The WPD researched the area again, hoping to find additional clues and more of the remains.

“It’s a very rugged area,” Parker said, “and very difficult to search.”

Weber then followed up with the Osage County Sheriff’s Department.

“Kurt pushed the Osage County Sheriff’s Department to release all the information and reports to us,” Parker said. “It was almost like starting from scratch again.”

As Weber worked with Osage County officials, the Oklahoma medical examiner finally gave a circumstantial identification of May based on remains and possessions located at the site and released the remains to Winfield authorities.

“It’s been a long time,” Parker said. “We just needed to get this family some kind of closure.”

To date, the remains have not forensically been identified as May, said both Gann and Parker.

“It may take another year or more before we know about the DNA testing,” Gann said. The family was able to make a positive ID from pictures taken of items located at the site.

“There were two jackets we knew were his, and his keys to the van were there,” Gann said. “He also had two harmonicas with him and a silver belt buckle that we had all seen him wear for many, many years.”

One of the reasons this investigation has seemed to stall is an ongoing difference of opinion between Winfield authorities and those in Osage County.

“It appears to have been no accident” Parker said, while the Osage County Sheriff’s Department maintains that what might have happened to May is an accident.

“What we don’t know yet is the manner of his death,” Parker said. He also indicated that the people who have supplied some of the information or appear to have some knowledge of it are of “questionable credibility and mental state.”

Parker said the case remains open and the investigation continues as more people are talked with and reports are reviewed.

“The family would like to thank everyone for all the prayers, cards and calls over the past two and a half years since Richard’s disappearance,” Gann said.

[Deborah]

Sadly, Mr. May was located deceased.