Joseph Davis, 65, was found dead in his Cushman Place Bay Park home in San Diego on May 19, 1976, after a violent robbery. Joseph and his wife Adel answered a knock on the night of May 15 and were tied up by an armed intruder who ransacked the house and stole valuables, including the couple’s car. Both remained bound for days; Adel survived but Joseph, a diabetic, died from lack of food and water before their housekeeper discovered them.

The suspect was described as a white male, about 25–35, roughly 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, with a dark heavy beard and long, scraggly hair. Investigators thought he might have known Joseph from swap meet dealings; Joseph worked as a self-employed swap meet buyer and seller and often carried large amounts of cash. The stolen vehicle was later recovered abandoned at a nearby apartment complex.

The case went cold despite that description. Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.