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Timothy Willoughby Missing Person Case

Last seen in Mooresville, Indiana on Jun 6, 1978

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Victim Details

Oct 13, 2014

May 18, 2020

Timothy

Willoughby

72

24

70 inches

72 inches

160 lbs

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jun 6, 1978

Mooresville

Indiana

Morgan County

15907

Indiana State Police - District 52

Indianapolis

Indiana

Marion County

46219

8620 East 21st Street, Indiana

3178998577

State

Law Enforcement

31F5953

Jun 5, 1979

Indiana State Police - District 52

Brown

Green

Green

Oct 10, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP26443) and 15 other sources
Timothy Lee Willoughby, a 24-year-old man, was last seen on June 6, 1978, in Clayton, Indiana. He and his girlfriend, 22-year-old Mary Ann Higginbotham, disappeared together that day. The couple had been living in a rural area of Clayton, and while their disappearance initially did not raise immediate alarm, it later became a tragic cold case. Almost a year later, on June 4, 1979, Mary Ann's body was discovered inside a 55-gallon drum in White Lick Creek near Mooresville. She had been shot in the head execution-style. Timothy, however, was never found, though authorities believe he suffered the same fate.

The case took a darker turn when it was revealed that both Willoughby and Higginbotham may have been targeted to prevent them from informing the police about an auto theft ring. Investigators suspected that both were shot and their bodies sealed in steel drums. Although two men, Ronald Tomasik and James Kellam, were charged with their murders in 1983, the charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Timothy's body remains missing, and despite renewed efforts, including anonymous tips, no further progress has been made in locating him or resolving the case. Foul play is strongly suspected, and authorities continue to seek information that could lead to his recovery and the closure of the case.
Last Seen: Jun 6, 1978

Links to Additional Sources (15)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Timothy Lee Willoughby - The Charley Project
  • ISP: Timothy Willoughby 06/05/1979 - IN.gov
  • 5453DMIN - Timothy Lee Willoughby - Doe Network
  • Indiana's Missing and Unsolved Cases | Timothy Lee Willoughby ...
  • Man seized in steel drum murders - UPI Archives
  • Never Forget Me - For 36 years, Jan Willoughby and Donna...
  • Timothy Lee Willoughby was last seen in Clayton, Indiana on June 6 ...
  • In 1978, 22 y/o Mary Ann Higginbotham disappeared in Clayton only ...
  • Timothy Willoughby, 24, Mary Ann Higginbotham (fd dec'd), 22 ...
  • Flashback Friday: Timothy Willoughby
  • The Story of Timothy Willoughby and Mary Ann Higgenbotham
  • The Mary Higginbotham & Tim Willoughby Story
  • The Bizarre Case of Mary Ann Higginbotham and Timothy Willoughby
  • New portrait aims to bring interest to 40-year unsolved murder of ...

    • 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.

    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Martinsville, Indiana - unidentified case UP14700
    John Doe — Martinsville, Indiana
    UP14700 • Found Sep 13, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–38 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%13 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 5'10"–6'0"
    Weight 100%170 lb vs 160–170 lb
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Indianapolis, Indiana
    UP117543 • Found Apr 3, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–24 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%24 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–5'11" vs 5'10"–6'0"
    Weight 100%155–165 lb vs 160–170 lb
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Indiana - unidentified case UP4851
    John Doe — Indiana
    UP4851 • Found Jun 9, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 67%139 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–6'0"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Richmond, Indiana
    UP12980 • Found May 19, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 99%Est. 25–30 vs 24
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%80 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'0"
    Weight 0%290 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Illinois - unidentified case UP14344
    John Doe — Illinois
    UP14344 • Found Mar 16, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 63%162 mi away
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'0"
    Weight 96%140 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
    76%Possible
    John Doe — East St. Louis, Illinois
    UP17550 • Found Jun 20, 1980
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–27 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 54%214 mi away
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–6'0"
    Weight 96%140 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Cincinnati, Ohio - unidentified case UP7739
    John Doe — Cincinnati, Ohio
    UP7739 • Found Oct 27, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 74%106 mi away
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–6'0"
    Weight 92%137 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Norwood Park Township, Illinois
    UP11000 • Found Dec 28, 1978
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 15–24 vs 24
    Race 100%White
    Location 59%179 mi away
    TimingFound 7 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–6'0"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Jeffersonville, Indiana
    UP114481 • Found Apr 27, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%98 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 27 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–6'0"
    Weight 93%138 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP129007
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP129007 • Found Apr 12, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 61%170 mi away
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'0"
    Weight 100%169 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green

    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)

    Timothy Lee Willoughby, 24, was last seen June 6, 1978, in Clayton, Indiana, when he disappeared... ...Read More
    05/20/2023

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