Missing
Keith Robert Anderson
Anderson, approximately 1984; David Buttel in 1986
Date and time person was reported missing : 02/05/1984
Missing location (approx) :
Grand County, Colorado
Missing classification : Endangered Missing
Gender : Male
Ethnicity :
White
DOB : 11/24/1961 (59)
Age at the time of disappearance: 22 years old
Height / Weight : 6'3, 190 pounds
Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos
: Caucasian male. Brown hair, brown eyes.
Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Anderson was last seen at a horse barn in Grand County, Colorado on February 5, 1984. He boarded his horse at the barn, which was owned by Vernon "Spud" Weaver. He has never been heard from again. After his disappearance, his truck was found idling near the barn with his German Shepherd dog in the back, but there was no sign of Anderson.
Police later found Anderson's blood on some manure in the barn. Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots in the area. The day after Anderson's disappearance, Weaver reported that his .44 caliber magnum handgun was Missing location (approx) : under the seat in his truck, where he normally kept it.
David Russell Buttel is the prime suspect in Anderson's disappearance. A photo of him is posted with this case summary. He had left his wife and children in Illinois and moved to Colorado with a girlfriend, and she left him and moved in with Anderson. A witness saw Buttel's truck near Anderson's ranch with something wrapped in blankets in the back.
Buttel admitted he was in Weaver's barn on the day of Anderson's disappearance; he boarded two horses there. He said Anderson got a bloody nose before he walked outside. He also stated he noticed Anderson's horse was injured. The horse died two days later and a .44 caliber bullet was found in its body.
Buttel refused to take a lie detector test and he left the area shortly afterwards. Four months after Anderson's disappearance, Weaver's gun was found on Ute Pass. Police were unable to match it to the bullet in Anderson's horse because the gun barrel was too rusted.
Buttel's current whereabouts are unknown. He would now be in his sixties. He has not faced any charges in Anderson's disappearance. Anderson's father is still alive and looking for him. His case remains unsolved.
Other information and links : ncy
Grand County Sheriff’s Department
970-725-3343
September 2021 updates and sources
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
The Denver Post
October 12, 2004. November 13, 2013; DOB : added.
Interactive Missing Person Search Map
