Missing
George Jay Vandermark
Vandermark, approximately 1976
Date and time person was reported missing : 08/01/1976
Missing location (approx) :
Phoenix, Arizona
Missing classification : Endangered Missing
Gender : Male
Ethnicity :
White
DOB : 12/17/1923 (97)
Age at the time of disappearance: 52 years old
Height / Weight : 6'2 - 6'4, 190 - 200 pounds
Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos
: Caucasian male. Gray hair, brown eyes. Vandermark wears eyeglasses with black plastic frames, and hearing aids in both ears. He has spot-type burn scars on his right elbow and right shoulder. He may go by his middle name, Jay.
Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Vandermark was last seen in August or September of 1976 in the area of 24th Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix, Arizona. He has never been heard from again.
Prior to his disappearance, Vandermark was a supervisor of the slot machines at the Stardust Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Authorities believe he was working for the Mafia, stealing coins from slot machines. The Nevada Gaming Commission uncovered the slot machine skimming in May 1976, but by then Vandermark had fled.
Authorities determined $7 million had been stolen over the years; Vandermark had apparently given $4 million to the Mafia and kept $3 million for himself.
Investigators tried to get in touch with Vandermark through his son, who lived in Las Vegas. The son said his father was in Mexico and would be in contact shortly. Vandermark's son was murdered a short time later and Vandermark never got in touch with police.
Foul play is suspected in Vandermark's disappearance. It is believed to be related to his organized crime activities.
Other information and links : ncy
Phoenix Police Department
602-261-8042
602-262-6141
September 2021 updates and sources
A missing person is a person who has disappeared and whose status as alive or dead cannot be confirmed as their location and condition are not known. A person may go missing through a voluntary disappearance, or else due to an accident, crime, death in a location where they cannot be found (such as at sea), or many other reasons. In most parts of the world, a missing person will usually be found quickly. While criminal abductions are some of the most widely reported missing person cases, these account for only 2�5% of missing children in Europe.
By contrast, some missing person cases remain unresolved for many years. Laws related to these cases are often complex since, in many jurisdictions, relatives and third parties may not deal with a person's assets until their death is considered proven by law and a formal death certificate issued. The situation, uncertainties, and lack of closure or a funeral resulting when a person goes missing may be extremely painful with long-lasting effects on family and friends.
Several organizations seek to connect, share best practices, and disseminate information and imAge at the time of disappearance: s of missing children to improve the effectiveness of missing children investigations, including the International Commission on Missing Persons, the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), as well as national organizations, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the US, Missing People in the UK, Child Focus in Belgium, and The Smile of the Child in Greece.
The Chicago Sun-Times
October 12, 2004. May 29, 2011; picture and alternate Height / Weight : added.
Interactive Missing Person Search Map
