13 year old Myron Traylor was last seen in Phoenix, Arizona on July 27, 1988. He disappeared while walking to his grandparent’s house located on east Pecan Road.
Background
Myron Timell Traylor was born on October 1, 1974 to parents Debbie Traylor and Leroy Williams. At the time of his disappearance, he was living near 16th Street and Nancy Lane in Phoenix, Arizona.
In the spring of 1988 he finished sixth grade at Sierra Vista Elementary. He loved to draw and read, regularly attended Southminster Presbyterian Church, went to Sunday School, and was a member of the church choir and youth group.
The week before he disappeared, his grandmother had signed him up to play organized football. He was very good with letting his family know where he was, and did not have a habit of leaving without warning.
Disappearance
On July 27, 1988, 13 year old Myron Traylor finished his paper route before heading out with his mother to visit his grandparents, who lived about a half mile away on east Pecan Road in Phoenix, Arizona.
He was carrying a plastic bag filled with laundry, which he planned to have washed at his grandparent’s house. He was also going to call his brother who was staying with an uncle in California for the summer, since his family home did not have a telephone.
After visiting his grandparents, Myron had plans to walk across the street to get his best friend, then they would take the bus to vacation Bible school at a nearby church that evening.
During the walk to his grandparent’s house, Myron stopped at OK Fish-N-Chips located on 16th street and Southern Avenue to purchase a soft drink while his mother continued walking ahead.
He was last seen at approximately 6:00 pm, standing outside the restaurant after purchasing his soda.
His family initially believed he may have caught the bus to Bible school at church, but when he hadn’t returned by 9:30 pm after class got out they knew something was wrong.
Investigation
Police found no evidence that Myron had ran away. He had no known troubles at home, didn’t stay out late, and always let his family know where he was.
Myron’s father, Leroy Williams, was in prison at the time of his disappearance, and his mother has been ruled out as a suspect.
The last person known to have had contact with Myron is Lena Watt, who was working at the OK Fish-N-Chips. She recalls that Myron ordered one beverage and gulped it down, then ordered another. She last saw him leaving with the second beverage in hand, walking in the direction of his grandparent’s house. When she looked up a few seconds later, he was gone from her sight.
Myron’s mother’s boyfriend at the time, Gettus Leroy Mintz, is the only person to be publicly named as a suspect in his disappearance. He was one of the four witnesses who last saw Myron at the restaurant, and his arm was in a sling shortly after Myron went missing. He claims the injury was from a dog bite.
Authorities say Mintz was involved with drugs, and theorize that Myron may have been murdered after confronting him about his lifestyle. Mintz has been uncooperative with investigators, and refuses to answer questions related to Myron’s disappearance.
According to court records, he had been serving a seven-year sentence for aggravated assault in 1981 and was released about five months before Myron’s disappearance.
In 2009, Mintz stabbed his then girlfriend and her mother in Peoria, Arizona. His girlfriend died, and Mintz was subsequently convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated assault. He was sentenced to forty-two years in prison.
In 1991, police received an anonymous tip that Myron was buried on a property near 24th Street and Jones Avenue in Phoenix, however a search of the location provided no clues as to his whereabouts.
In 2002, Myron’s mother died of cancer at the age of 45.
Whereabouts
The location of Myron Traylor, as well as the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remains unknown.
Authorities believe he was the victim of foul play, though no arrests have been made in connection to his disappearance.
Appearance
Black male born on October 1, 1974 with black hair and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, Myron stood 5’5 tall and weighed approximately 110 pounds. He has a half inch scar on the right side of his head which was the result of a bicycle accident.
Clothing & Accessories:
Myron was last seen wearing a red and white striped shirt, white shorts with a blue print, and white sneakers. He usually wears eyeglasses, but did not have them with him when he went missing.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Myron Traylor please contact the Phoenix Police Department at (602) 262-6151.
