Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP42039) and 12 other sources
Andrew Peter Dabbs, 38 years old at the time, disappeared after October 10, 1981, following the death of his girlfriend, Robin Shea. On that day, the couple was driving through Norton, Massachusetts, reportedly from their apartment in Derry, New Hampshire, when Dabbs allegedly shot Shea in the chest with a. 45 caliber revolver. He is then said to have pushed her body from the car onto the side of Route 123, where she was later discovered by a passing motorist. This violent act marked the beginning of a decades-long search for Dabbs, who has not been officially seen or heard from since the incident.

Following the discovery of Robin Shea's body, law enforcement quickly identified Andrew Dabbs as the primary suspect. On November 3, 1981, the Bristol County Superior Court in New Bedford indicted him for murder and issued a warrant for his arrest. As the search for Dabbs intensified, federal authorities issued an additional arrest warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in September of 1982. At the time of his disappearance, Dabbs was described as a Black man with brown eyes, standing at approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 180 pounds. He had several distinguishing marks, including a mole on the right side of his nose, a scar on his arm, and skin grafts on his leg due to a burn. An auto mechanic by trade, Dabbs was also known to use drugs and potentially possessed weapons.

The search for Andrew Dabbs has spanned over four decades, with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, actively seeking information about his whereabouts. He has ties to several states, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, New York, and Pennsylvania. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his location. Despite the passage of time, the case remains an active investigation, with authorities periodically renewing calls for public assistance. The official narrative from law enforcement agencies focuses on the search for a fugitive wanted for murder. The disappearance of Andrew Dabbs is inextricably linked to the tragic death of Robin Shea, and for authorities, resolving his missing person status means bringing a fugitive to justice.

Last Seen: Oct 10, 1981

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14788
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
UP14788 • Found Apr 1, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 95%28 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%190 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP12963
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
UP12963 • Found May 30, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 95%28 mi away, same state
TimingFound 33 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14618
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
UP14618 • Found Jun 22, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 68–70 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 95%28 mi away, same state
TimingFound 31 years after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"
Weight 99%161 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Brewster, New York - unidentified case UP8466
John Doe — Brewster, New York
UP8466 • Found Oct 9, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 69%131 mi away
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
UP145665 • Found Mar 16, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 180 lb
76%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7768
John Doe — New York, New York
UP7768 • Found Mar 8, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 61%170 mi away
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 87%150 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP7412
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP7412 • Found Aug 27, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 61%168 mi away
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — New york, New York - unidentified case UP7434
John Doe — New york, New York
UP7434 • Found Feb 17, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 61%170 mi away
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP10326
John Doe — New York, New York
UP10326 • Found Oct 14, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 61%170 mi away
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP9732
John Doe — New York, New York
UP9732 • Found Jun 15, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 61%170 mi away
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.