OK Searching for my missing father STEPHEN MURPHY: Missing from Tulsa, OK - 2 May 1976 - Age 19

Searching for my father, Stephen Lee Murphy. No one had seen or heard from him 1976. No missing person report was filed until I filed one July 2022. Last anyone had contact with him he was 19 years old. He served in the Marine Corps from 1975-1984 when he was discharged out for AWOL and Misconduct. I tried to get his OMPF with no luck. Detective out of Tulsa Oklahoma is awaiting their request for his military file. If anyone knows him or has had any contact with him, I would appreciate knowing. I appreciate any help and suggestions. Thank you all so much

Help Stephen Murphy's daughter solve the mystery of what happened to her father! Missing from #OKLAHOMA since 1976!

No missing person report was filed until his daughter filed in July 2022. Last anyone had contact with him he was 19 years old. He served in the Marine Corps from 1975-1984

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[Snoangel26]

Been here back when but can't recall each detail but birth certificates can be obtained by anyone with a direct interest, like a child, parent, etc., which you are. Or is it that you don't know the county or state of birth? I can't recall what the reason is. My apologies if I should know the answer to this as I don't have time to look back.

I have his birthdate, county, state, and parents names with their birth date as well and copy of their marriage license.

 

[Snoangel26]

Can you keep bugging the he77 out of your aunt?. Like GBear said. I thought you being an offspring you could obtain such information. I would be willing to help you. And I mean that. I know I couldn't get it. But help find how you can. You can pm me. I do have alot going on right now. But I mean what I say.

I'll take any kind of help and suggestions. Thank you

 

[Summer_Breeze]

@Snoangel26

Have you tried getting the Claremore local newspaper to write a story about your dad? Human Interest kind of story? It may reach a different audience that may remember something, You can put the detective's name as contact if you want to preserve your privacy. Maybe do the same thing for a paper in Tulsa?

claremoreprogress.com

www.claremoreprogress.com

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Wow. Seems the agencies have really locked things down these days.

Been here back when but can't recall each detail but birth certificates can be obtained by anyone with a direct interest, like a child, parent, etc., which you are. Or is it that you don't know the county or state of birth? I can't recall what the reason is. My apologies if I should know the answer to this as I don't have time to look back.

Birth Certificates

Directory for Birth Certificates

oklahoma.gov

 

[GrandmaBear]

Wow. Seems the agencies have really locked things down these days.

Birth Certificates

Directory for Birth Certificates

oklahoma.gov

View attachment 19653

Well she is his adult child. And isn't acting in anyone's not best interest I wouldn't think if she states her reasons and purpose.

Yeah I think it used to be almost anyone could obtain a record of death, birth, marriage, etc. They are/were recorded and public if someone wants such (or they were). What the heck happened?

 

[Snoangel26]

@Snoangel26

Have you tried getting the Claremore local newspaper to write a story about your dad? Human Interest kind of story? It may reach a different audience that may remember something, You can put the detective's name as contact if you want to preserve your privacy. Maybe do the same thing for a paper in Tulsa?

claremoreprogress.com

www.claremoreprogress.com

Thank you. I didn't think of that

 

[Summer_Breeze]

@Snoangel26

Also, do you have your dad's Marine assignments? Battalion, brigade and his job title/function? Sometimes there are web pages dedicated to the specific Battalion and brigade.

 

[Snoangel26]

@Snoangel26

Also, do you have your dad's Marine assignments? Battalion, brigade and his job title/function? Sometimes there are web pages dedicated to the specific Battalion and brigade.

This is what I know. H&S Co,1st BN,5thMar 1stMarDiv Camp Pendleton California

 

[Snoangel26]

Well she is his adult child. And isn't acting in anyone's not best interest I wouldn't think if she states her reasons and purpose.

Yeah I think it used to be almost anyone could obtain a record of death, birth, marriage, etc. They are/were recorded and public if someone wants such (or they were). What the heck happened?

I requested his birth certificate, told them I was his daughter and that I was trying to find him as he went missing in 1976

 

[Mel70]

@Snoangel26

Have you tried getting the Claremore local newspaper to write a story about your dad? Human Interest kind of story? It may reach a different audience that may remember something, You can put the detective's name as contact if you want to preserve your privacy. Maybe do the same thing for a paper in Tulsa?

claremoreprogress.com

www.claremoreprogress.com

Great idea @Summer_Breeze

 

[Mel70]

I requested his birth certificate, told them I was his daughter and that I was trying to find him as he went missing in 1976

Keep bugging EVERYONE! Really! I have not gone through what you are. But bugging people to do their job. I have very extensive experience. If they don't THINK you are really serious about it, And are following up on a regular basis. They see no need to. I am not saying you are doing anything wrong. Not at all. I've been fighting, Advocating for myself against the government since 2007. And REALLY since this January. I WILL advocate for you too. And anyone who needs it. I have a big mouth, And NOT afraid to speak up. Ask around. Matter of fact I had to call the state today. Because they F***** UP AGAIN! So just say the word. We care here.

 

[Snoangel26]

Keep bugging EVERYONE! Really! I have not gone through what you are. But bugging people to do their job. I have very extensive experience. If they don't THINK you are really serious about it, And are following up on a regular basis. They see no need to. I am not saying you are doing anything wrong. Not at all. I've been fighting, Advocating for myself against the government since 2007. And REALLY since this January. I WILL advocate for you too. And anyone who needs it. I have a big mouth, And NOT afraid to speak up. Ask around. Matter of fact I had to call the state today. Because they F***** UP AGAIN! So just say the word. We care here.

Thank you. I've sent in another request for military records and another request for FOIA.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

I believe the first link is a link to your father's unit.

There are links on these websites for resources / FOIA requests, contact information, etc. maybe you can try to FOIA for court martial records or other discharge records, any investigation the Marines pursued with regards to your father, etc. You are probably going to run into the same issues as you have been with other records, unless they are public records.

1st Battalion, 5th Marines

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton > Main Menu > Commands > Tenant Commands > Western Judicial Circuit

https://www.jag.navy.mil/military-justice/filings-records/

Also, Camp Pendleton newspaper. Today it is called the Camp Pendleton Scout, but it used to be called The Scout. (Scoutnewspaper.com, only available in an archive)
Maybe (probably for a fee) they will search their records for you?

The Camp Pendleton Scout (Oceanside, Calif.) 2001-Current

Weekly Vol. 59, no. 26 (June 28, 2001)- Master negatives are available for duplication from: California Newspaper Microfilm Archive; positive copies may be purchased by the reel; for further information consult the CNMA at: http://cbsr.ucr.edu

www.loc.gov

 

[Snoangel26]

I believe the first link is a link to your father's unit.

There are links on these websites for resources / FOIA requests, contact information, etc. maybe you can try to FOIA for court martial records or other discharge records, any investigation the Marines pursued with regards to your father, etc. You are probably going to run into the same issues as you have been with other records, unless they are public records.

1st Battalion, 5th Marines

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton > Main Menu > Commands > Tenant Commands > Western Judicial Circuit

https://www.jag.navy.mil/military-justice/filings-records/

Also, Camp Pendleton newspaper. Today it is called the Camp Pendleton Scout, but it used to be called The Scout. (Scoutnewspaper.com, only available in an archive)
Maybe (probably for a fee) they will search their records for you?

The Camp Pendleton Scout (Oceanside, Calif.) 2001-Current

Weekly Vol. 59, no. 26 (June 28, 2001)- Master negatives are available for duplication from: California Newspaper Microfilm Archive; positive copies may be purchased by the reel; for further information consult the CNMA at: http://cbsr.ucr.edu

www.loc.gov

Thank you very much.

 

[Guess Who]

Well she is his adult child. And isn't acting in anyone's not best interest I wouldn't think if she states her reasons and purpose.

Yeah I think it used to be almost anyone could obtain a record of death, birth, marriage, etc. They are/were recorded and public if someone wants such (or they were). What the heck happened?

Identity theft happened.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Doe Network: International Center For Missing and Unidentified Persons

Doe Network is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to bringing awareness to missing persons and unidentified persons throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia.

www.doenetwork.org

Name: Stephen Lee Murphy
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: May 02, 1976
Location Last Seen: Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma

Physical Description​

Date of Birth: April 5, 1957
Age: 19 years old
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5'2" - 5'9"
Weight: 120 - 190 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue or Brown
Nickname/Alias: Steve
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Mole on face

Identifiers​

Dentals: Unknown
Fingerprints: Available
DNA: Pending

Clothing & Personal Items​

Clothing: Unknown
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Disappearance​

Stephen Murphy disappeared in 1976. He was originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Stephen is said to have told his uncle not to worry about him, that he would be OK, and he walked away.

According to family, Stephen was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California when he went AWOL. He was captured and escaped wearing handcuffs.

Investigating Agency(s)​

Agency Name: Tulsa Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Det. Campbell
Agency Phone Number: 918-596-9143
Agency E-Mail: tjcampbell@cityoftulsa.org
Agency Case Number: 2022035405

NamUs Case Number: 93708

Information Source(s)​

NamUs
Family Member

 

[Snoangel26]

This is Stephen in his military uniform

 

[RoundPeg]

I literally never realized he had escaped from custody.

 

[Kimster]

I literally never realized he had escaped from custody.

I missed that, too. How could he have gotten far in handcuffs?

 

[GrandmaBear]

Never saw this before either.

Is it typically to actually try to go find AWOL soldiers, and then when they do, call it capturing and to cuff them? Not sure I ever knew that... Were there news reports that he was AWOL, news reports that he was captured and news reports that he escaped in hand cuffs because there should have been if all of this is truly the case. How'd they find him and WHERE had he went as it may give a clue as to where he went or was headed the next time...'Who had helped him if anyone?

One things for sure, IF he truly did escape after capture, he took off like the first time willingly and so almost certainly did the second time as well. Makes you wonder what was going on wrong at the military base he wanted out so badly. TWICE. At what age had he enlisted and had he always been at that base for most of that time?

I suppose we don't know any of these things? I had read the thread back when I last commented but don't recall all details. If I recall, there were few known things.

If it was an escape, he went of his own accord and the handcuffs are long off. He'd need help probably pretty quickly to get them off and not be seen by people in them. My sister and BIL graduated in '76 and were 18 and so they are almost his age, he's a bit older, not much. And they are in their 60s. He likely is still alive but for if he got something like cancer as my brothers did before their 60s, in their 50s.

Anyhow I'd also say he doesn't want to be found because he was in trouble when he left. That's going to make it 1) harder to find him and 2) he may not like finding out anyone is still trying to find him.

it would seem not unlikely he did something like head for Canada as many draft dodgers did. He was not a draft dodger, the draft was over by 76 and if he enlisted at 16 or 17 they couldn't draft him. At 18 or 19 they could but when he was 19 it was over and I am pretty sure it was the year before too. It was years earlier than that young men in high school had to worry when 18, my brothers were part of those years but also I think toward the waning of them and were never drafted.

Just giving some perspective. All families were worried about such and so were the teens as was mine with regard to my brothers. I forget EXACTLY when it ended but pretty know it had by the time he went missing and even a few years before I believe.

Still he was AWOL and then escaped when sitting on charges I'd imagine so he'd want to feel the country quite possibly... Or changed identity and fled the country OR went somewhere remote like Alaska, maybe Montana...

If alive, I'd think he doesn't want to be found to this day. However, it would seem not unlikely some family member knows because I'd think someone helped him out initially and I'd say family would be likely, but could have been a friend too.

Again I'd have to refresh on whether his family claimed to know anything as I don't recall...