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Paul Alwardt Missing Person Case

Last seen in Falmouth, Massachusetts on Mar 31, 1978

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Victim Details

Jun 24, 2015

Jul 18, 2024

Paul

Alwardt

66

18

70 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Mar 31, 1978

Falmouth

Massachusetts

Barnstable County

Unknown

5715

Falmouth Police Department

Falmouth

Massachusetts

Barnstable County

02540

750 Main St, Massachusetts

7742554527

Local

Law Enforcement

Massachusetts State Police - Cape and Islands District Attorney Office

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP29250) and 12 other sources
Paul Alwardt, an 18-year-old from Falmouth, Massachusetts, disappeared on March 31, 1978. At the time of his disappearance, Paul was scheduled to testify against his employer, Melvin Reine Sr., before a grand jury regarding an arson case. The night before his testimony, Paul was last seen boarding a ferry to Martha's Vineyard, where he was supposed to stay with relatives. However, Paul never arrived, and he has not been heard from since.

Reine, a local business owner with a criminal history, had long been suspected of involvement in various crimes, including the disappearance of his first wife, Wanda Reine, in 1971, and the murder of a teenager, Charles Flanagan, in 1972. Reine also faced accusations related to the shooting of a police officer, John Busby, in 1978, though he was never charged. Given Reine's connection to Paul, many believe that Paul's disappearance may have been orchestrated to prevent his testimony.

Despite extensive investigations, no significant developments have emerged, and Paul remains missing. His case is part of a larger web of criminal activities linked to Reine, whose influence in the local community and criminal dealings have left several cases unsolved.
Last Seen: Mar 31, 1978

Links to Additional Sources (12)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Paul Alwardt | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Paul Rudolph Alwardt - The Charley Project
  • Vanished in Massachusetts: The Cold Case of Paul Rudolph Alwardt
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP29250
  • Records missing in unsolved Falmouth shooting - Cape Cod Times
  • Who killed Shirley Reine? | CNN
  • CNN to air special on Reine case - Cape Cod Times
  • [ON THIS DAY] 42 years ago
  • Paul Rudolph Alwardt March 31, 1978 - Facebook
  • 1978 Alwardt, Paul - PorchlightUSA - Tapatalk
  • The Unsolved Disappearance of Paul Alwardt - Jennifer - Medium
  • MA - Paul Rudolph Alwardt, 17, Falmouth, 31 March 1978

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (9)

    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.

    77%Possible
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14202
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts
    UP14202 • Found Oct 28, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%86 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 23 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11"–6'5" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Sharon, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP16369
    John Doe — Sharon, Massachusetts
    UP16369 • Found Jun 6, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–22 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%49 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15890
    John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts
    UP15890 • Found May 2, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–60 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%63 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 38 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%157 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14725
    John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts
    UP14725 • Found Dec 13, 2009
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 44–46 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%63 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 32 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    Weight 77%182 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15944
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15944 • Found May 16, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 43 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%60 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 28 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"
    Weight 95%131 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP16439
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts
    UP16439 • Found Jul 25, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%65 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 68%6'1" vs 5'10"
    Weight 93%170 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Bear Creek Township, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP15764
    John Doe — Bear Creek Township, Pennsylvania
    UP15764 • Found May 28, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 17–22 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 48%267 mi away
    TimingFound 14 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 80%180 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Block Island, Rhode Island
    UP12707 • Found Jan 11, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–26 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 87%57 mi away
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Weehawken, New Jersey
    UP1673 • Found May 1, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–30 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 58%186 mi away
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Paul Alwardt was 18 and from Falmouth, Massachusetts, when he disappeared after boarding a ferry to... ...Read More
    09/26/2024

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