On February 5, 1988, 20-year-old Stanley Louis Chism Jr. disappeared from Orlando, Florida, and has not been seen or heard from since. He was last seen leaving his residence on Albania Avenue to go to the Altamonte Mall. While at the mall, Chism used a payphone to call his parents in Dayton, Ohio, and his girlfriend in Irvine, Kentucky. A gospel singer, Chism was making plans to move back to Ohio in March of that year to join his father's ministry.
The investigation into Chism's disappearance quickly focused on a man named Harold Suggs, who was found in possession of Chism's blue Pontiac Grand Prix three weeks after he went missing. Suggs was seen driving the car in Starke, Florida, approximately 130 miles from Orlando, the day after Chism was last seen. When approached by police, Suggs attempted to flee but was apprehended.
Inside the vehicle, investigators discovered Chism's eyeglasses, books, and jacket, as well as bloodstains in the backseat which were later confirmed to be Chism's through DNA testing. Several items were missing from the car, including a radio, cassette player, CB radio, and a radar detector. The car had also been driven for about 2,000 miles since Chism's disappearance.
Further evidence was uncovered in a nearby dumpster, where police found a bloodstained shirt belonging to Chism, other clothing items, and a crowbar also covered in blood. In the pocket of the shirt, a bank deposit slip and his girlfriend's phone number were found. When questioned, Suggs provided conflicting stories. Initially, he claimed to be living with Chism and had borrowed the car, but he was unable to give a correct address. He then changed his story, stating he had met Chism at a bar and they had decided to get an apartment together.
Although authorities believe Suggs murdered Chism, he was never charged in connection with the disappearance. A charge of auto theft against Suggs was eventually dropped because a key witness was unable to testify. Suggs, who had no permanent address and used multiple aliases, was the primary suspect in the case. Foul play is suspected in Chism's disappearance, which remains an unsolved case.Last Seen: Feb 5, 1988
