Authorities Still Seek Information in 1985 Disappearance of Williamsport, Maryland Man

The official investigation, primarily led by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, continues to seek answers in the perplexing disappearance of Arthur Leonard Murray. Last seen at his residence in Williamsport, Maryland, on April 2, 1985, Mr. Murray, then 59 years old, vanished under circumstances that have left authorities and his community searching for closure for nearly four decades. His case remains a prominent cold case, marked by the unsettling fact that all of his personal effects, including his truck and beloved dogs, were left behind, suggesting his departure was not planned.

The circumstances surrounding Arthur Murray’s last known hours are pieced together through the observations of those closest to him. A neighbor reported having the final contact with Mr. Murray, noting that he seemed distressed, referencing a domestic issue as the cause of his unease. This detail provides a potential, albeit vague, starting point in understanding the events that may have preceded his disappearance. Mr. Murray’s physical description includes a height between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches, and a weight of 165 to 185 pounds. He had brown hair and green eyes. Notably, he wore size 36 pants and size 8 1/2 shoes. His eyeglasses were distinctive; he used plastic covers over the lenses that gave them a tinted appearance.

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When Arthur Murray was last seen, he was reportedly wearing a cotton short-sleeve shirt, a winter flannel shirt, brown Levi work pants, and possibly boots. He was also wearing a Timex watch with a stretch band. The presence of his truck, dogs, and personal belongings at his residence strongly indicates that he did not intend to be away for an extended period, nor did he leave voluntarily under normal circumstances. The absence of any information regarding transportation further deepens the mystery, as it offers no clue as to how he might have left his home or where he might have gone.

The case was officially reported on April 11, 1985, with the NamUs case created on April 15, 2025, highlighting the enduring nature of this unsolved disappearance. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, located in Hagerstown, Maryland, is the primary agency handling the investigation. The case number assigned by the agency is 2404239. Despite the passage of time, the investigation remains active, with law enforcement continuing to appeal for any information that could shed light on Arthur Murray’s fate. His aliases, “Ott Murray” and “Marvin Summers,” have also been noted as potentially relevant to the investigation. If still alive, Murray would be 100 years old.

The disappearance of Arthur Leonard Murray continues to be a source of unanswered questions for his family and the community. The lack of concrete leads and the puzzling circumstances of his vanishing have cemented this case as a somber cold case in Maryland. Authorities urge anyone who may have seen Arthur Murray on or after April 2, 1985, or who possesses any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to come forward. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (240) 313-2100.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon official case files from NamUs.gov and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office

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