Death Of David Glenn Lewis
Unsolved Hit and Run Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Moxee, Washington
TIME PERIOD
February 1, 1993
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On February 1, 1993, at approximately 10:30 p.m. PST, David Glenn Lewis was struck and killed by an unidentified vehicle at the intersection of SR 24 and Rivard Road in Moxee, Washington. Lewis, a 39-year-old lawyer from Amarillo, Texas, had been missing since January 28, 1993, when he left work citing illness. His body was not identified until 2004, despite being found in military-style camouflage fatigues and work boots, clothing that his family did not recognize. The driver of the vehicle that struck him has never been identified, and the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, leaving open the possibility of foul play. The case is currently unsolved, with ongoing efforts to gather evidence and identify the perpetrator.
Theories about David Glenn Lewis's death include the possibility that he was the victim of foul play, given the unknown circumstances surrounding his disappearance and the unfamiliar clothing he was wearing at the time of his death. Some speculate that he may have been involved in activities or situations that led him to travel to Moxee, Washington, under suspicious circumstances. Additionally, there are questions about how he managed to travel over 1,600 miles from Texas to Washington in just 24 hours before his death.
The Unsolved Mystery of David Glenn Lewis
The Last Night
On a chilly February 1, 1993, the roads near Moxee, Washington were quiet, save for the occasional passing vehicle. It was around 10:30 p.m. when an unidentified man was seen wandering along SR 24, near its intersection with Rivard Road. A few minutes later, he was found lying lifeless on the road, a victim of a hit-and-run incident. For the next eleven years, this man would remain a mystery to the world, known only as "John Doe." It would eventually be revealed that he was David Glenn Lewis, a lawyer from Amarillo, Texas, who had vanished without a trace.
A Life in Motion
David Glenn Lewis was born on December 11, 1953, in Borger, Texas. He grew up in the Texas Panhandle, graduating from Phillips High School before pursuing higher education at Texas Tech. He graduated in 1975 with a degree in political science, followed by a law degree in 1979. In 1982, Lewis married Karen, and they soon welcomed their only child, a daughter.
Lewis's career was as varied as it was successful. He maintained a private law practice while serving as an assistant county attorney in Sherman and Wheeler counties. In 1986, he was elected as a judge of the court-at-law in Moore County, a position he held until a failed bid for a district court judgeship in 1990. Returning to private practice, he also taught government classes at Amarillo College. Despite his professional commitments, Lewis remained deeply involved in his community, contributing to organizations like the Boy Scouts and United Way.
The Disappearance
On January 28, 1993, Lewis left work at his law firm early, claiming he felt unwell. That evening, he taught his class at Amarillo College, marking the last confirmed sighting of him in Amarillo. The following day, as his wife and daughter departed for a shopping trip to Dallas, Lewis stayed behind, eager to watch his beloved Dallas Cowboys compete in Super Bowl XXVII. A church member later reported seeing him at the Southwest Airlines terminal in Amarillo, moving briskly without any luggage.
Throughout the weekend, Lewis's red Ford Explorer was spotted in different locations around Amarillo. On January 30, the vehicle was seen twice parked near the Potter County courthouse. The next day, it was found at his home in Dumas, yet Lewis was nowhere to be seen.
Super Bowl Sunday arrived, and as his family returned home that evening, they found the VCR recording the game, two turkey sandwiches in the fridge, and laundry left in the machine. Curiously, his wedding ring and watch were neatly placed on the kitchen counter. Karen Lewis assumed her husband was simply visiting a friend.
The following day, a Dallas taxi driver recalled driving a man resembling Lewis from a hotel to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The man appeared nervous, paying in cash with a stack of hundred-dollar bills. Meanwhile, back in Amarillo, concern was growing as Lewis missed two work appointments. Karen reported him missing on February 1.
A Tragic End
By 10:30 p.m. on February 1, in the distant town of Moxee, Washington, David Glenn Lewis's lifeless body was discovered on the road. With no identification, he became another "John Doe," a nameless figure with a story yet to be told.
The Investigation Begins
In Washington, authorities set to work identifying their John Doe, while in Amarillo, police launched an investigation into Lewis's disappearance. The pieces of the puzzle seemed scattered and perplexing. Lewis's red Explorer was found once more near the courthouse, with keys under the floor mat, and his checkbook, driver's license, and gas-station credit cards inside. His wife noted that only a pair of green sweatpants were missing from his wardrobe.
Financial records revealed odd transactions, including a mysterious $5,000 deposit into Lewis's account on January 30. Plane tickets were purchased in his name, one from Amarillo to Dallas and another from Los Angeles to Dallas. Yet, it remained unclear if Lewis had used these tickets, or if someone else had impersonated him.
Speculation ran rampant. Could Lewis's work as a judge and lawyer have made him enemies? Karen recalled death threats from his time on the bench, while others suggested the possibility of foul play due to ongoing legal matters. Despite these theories, some believed the pressures of his failed election, slow business, and legal troubles may have led him to disappear voluntarily. Reports placed him in Tucson, Arizona, or even Mexico, but by June, the investigation had stalled.
The Long Road to Discovery
In Washington, an autopsy confirmed that Lewis had died from injuries consistent with a vehicular collision, but no drugs were found in his system. The incident's accidental nature remained uncertain. Witnesses had seen a Chevrolet Camaro near the scene, yet no further leads surfaced.
In 2003, a breakthrough came from an unlikely source. Pat Ditter, a detective with the Washington State Patrol, was inspired by a series of articles on missing-person cases. Using Google, he searched for missing persons of similar build to John Doe. He discovered a photograph of Lewis, whose distinctive glasses matched a pair found in the deceased's clothing. This led to a DNA comparison, confirming a 99.91 percent match with Lewis's mother.
Questions Unanswered
The identification of David Glenn Lewis answered some questions but left others lingering. How did he get from Amarillo to Yakima, Washington, a journey of over 1,600 miles? What was he doing there? His family, unaware of any connections to Washington, speculated that he might have been abducted. The military-style clothing and work boots he wore at his death were unfamiliar to them.
The mystery of David Glenn Lewis remains a haunting tale, a story of a man whose life ended far from home, under circumstances yet to be fully understood.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- "Google Helps Solve John Doe Case," CBS News, October 8, 2004.
- Barber, Mike. "1993 hit-run victim is finally identified," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 8, 2004.
- "David Glenn Lewis," Amarillo Globe-News, October 29, 2004.
- Pagel, Jean. "Baffling trail stumps police searching for missing attorney," Del Rio News-Herald, June 27, 1993.
- "Distance from Amarillo, TX to Moxee, WA," distance-cities.com.
- "Distance between Amarillo and Yakima," Trippy.
- Microsoft; Nokia. "Amarillo, TX to Moxee, WA," Bing Maps.
- Bartlett, Melissa. "The Strange Case of Missing Amarillo Lawyer David Glenn Lewis," KPRF-FM, June 24, 2022.
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Lewis Goes Missing
David Glenn Lewis leaves work, last seen teaching a class.
Hit and Run Incident
David Glenn Lewis is struck and killed by a vehicle in Moxee, Washington.
Investigation Begins
Police in Amarillo open investigation into Lewis's disappearance.
Case Closed
Police close the case, believing Lewis disappeared voluntarily.
Identification of John Doe
DNA confirms John Doe is David Glenn Lewis, solving the case.
Reburial of Lewis
David Glenn Lewis is reburied closer to his family after identification.
On February 1, 1993, at approximately 10:30 p.m. PST, David Glenn Lewis was struck and killed by an unidentified vehicle at the intersection of SR 24 and Rivard Road in Moxee, Washington. Lewis, a 39-year-old lawyer from Amarillo, Texas, had been missing since January 28, 1993, when he left work citing illness. His body was not identified until 2004, despite being found in military-style camouflage fatigues and work boots, clothing that his family did not recognize. The driver of the vehicle that struck him has never been identified, and the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, leaving open the possibility of foul play. The case is currently unsolved, with ongoing efforts to gather evidence and identify the perpetrator.
Theories about David Glenn Lewis's death include the possibility that he was the victim of foul play, given the unknown circumstances surrounding his disappearance and the unfamiliar clothing he was wearing at the time of his death. Some speculate that he may have been involved in activities or situations that led him to travel to Moxee, Washington, under suspicious circumstances. Additionally, there are questions about how he managed to travel over 1,600 miles from Texas to Washington in just 24 hours before his death.
The Unsolved Mystery of David Glenn Lewis
The Last Night
On a chilly February 1, 1993, the roads near Moxee, Washington were quiet, save for the occasional passing vehicle. It was around 10:30 p.m. when an unidentified man was seen wandering along SR 24, near its intersection with Rivard Road. A few minutes later, he was found lying lifeless on the road, a victim of a hit-and-run incident. For the next eleven years, this man would remain a mystery to the world, known only as "John Doe." It would eventually be revealed that he was David Glenn Lewis, a lawyer from Amarillo, Texas, who had vanished without a trace.
A Life in Motion
David Glenn Lewis was born on December 11, 1953, in Borger, Texas. He grew up in the Texas Panhandle, graduating from Phillips High School before pursuing higher education at Texas Tech. He graduated in 1975 with a degree in political science, followed by a law degree in 1979. In 1982, Lewis married Karen, and they soon welcomed their only child, a daughter.
Lewis's career was as varied as it was successful. He maintained a private law practice while serving as an assistant county attorney in Sherman and Wheeler counties. In 1986, he was elected as a judge of the court-at-law in Moore County, a position he held until a failed bid for a district court judgeship in 1990. Returning to private practice, he also taught government classes at Amarillo College. Despite his professional commitments, Lewis remained deeply involved in his community, contributing to organizations like the Boy Scouts and United Way.
The Disappearance
On January 28, 1993, Lewis left work at his law firm early, claiming he felt unwell. That evening, he taught his class at Amarillo College, marking the last confirmed sighting of him in Amarillo. The following day, as his wife and daughter departed for a shopping trip to Dallas, Lewis stayed behind, eager to watch his beloved Dallas Cowboys compete in Super Bowl XXVII. A church member later reported seeing him at the Southwest Airlines terminal in Amarillo, moving briskly without any luggage.
Throughout the weekend, Lewis's red Ford Explorer was spotted in different locations around Amarillo. On January 30, the vehicle was seen twice parked near the Potter County courthouse. The next day, it was found at his home in Dumas, yet Lewis was nowhere to be seen.
Super Bowl Sunday arrived, and as his family returned home that evening, they found the VCR recording the game, two turkey sandwiches in the fridge, and laundry left in the machine. Curiously, his wedding ring and watch were neatly placed on the kitchen counter. Karen Lewis assumed her husband was simply visiting a friend.
The following day, a Dallas taxi driver recalled driving a man resembling Lewis from a hotel to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The man appeared nervous, paying in cash with a stack of hundred-dollar bills. Meanwhile, back in Amarillo, concern was growing as Lewis missed two work appointments. Karen reported him missing on February 1.
A Tragic End
By 10:30 p.m. on February 1, in the distant town of Moxee, Washington, David Glenn Lewis's lifeless body was discovered on the road. With no identification, he became another "John Doe," a nameless figure with a story yet to be told.
The Investigation Begins
In Washington, authorities set to work identifying their John Doe, while in Amarillo, police launched an investigation into Lewis's disappearance. The pieces of the puzzle seemed scattered and perplexing. Lewis's red Explorer was found once more near the courthouse, with keys under the floor mat, and his checkbook, driver's license, and gas-station credit cards inside. His wife noted that only a pair of green sweatpants were missing from his wardrobe.
Financial records revealed odd transactions, including a mysterious $5,000 deposit into Lewis's account on January 30. Plane tickets were purchased in his name, one from Amarillo to Dallas and another from Los Angeles to Dallas. Yet, it remained unclear if Lewis had used these tickets, or if someone else had impersonated him.
Speculation ran rampant. Could Lewis's work as a judge and lawyer have made him enemies? Karen recalled death threats from his time on the bench, while others suggested the possibility of foul play due to ongoing legal matters. Despite these theories, some believed the pressures of his failed election, slow business, and legal troubles may have led him to disappear voluntarily. Reports placed him in Tucson, Arizona, or even Mexico, but by June, the investigation had stalled.
The Long Road to Discovery
In Washington, an autopsy confirmed that Lewis had died from injuries consistent with a vehicular collision, but no drugs were found in his system. The incident's accidental nature remained uncertain. Witnesses had seen a Chevrolet Camaro near the scene, yet no further leads surfaced.
In 2003, a breakthrough came from an unlikely source. Pat Ditter, a detective with the Washington State Patrol, was inspired by a series of articles on missing-person cases. Using Google, he searched for missing persons of similar build to John Doe. He discovered a photograph of Lewis, whose distinctive glasses matched a pair found in the deceased's clothing. This led to a DNA comparison, confirming a 99.91 percent match with Lewis's mother.
Questions Unanswered
The identification of David Glenn Lewis answered some questions but left others lingering. How did he get from Amarillo to Yakima, Washington, a journey of over 1,600 miles? What was he doing there? His family, unaware of any connections to Washington, speculated that he might have been abducted. The military-style clothing and work boots he wore at his death were unfamiliar to them.
The mystery of David Glenn Lewis remains a haunting tale, a story of a man whose life ended far from home, under circumstances yet to be fully understood.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- "Google Helps Solve John Doe Case," CBS News, October 8, 2004.
- Barber, Mike. "1993 hit-run victim is finally identified," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 8, 2004.
- "David Glenn Lewis," Amarillo Globe-News, October 29, 2004.
- Pagel, Jean. "Baffling trail stumps police searching for missing attorney," Del Rio News-Herald, June 27, 1993.
- "Distance from Amarillo, TX to Moxee, WA," distance-cities.com.
- "Distance between Amarillo and Yakima," Trippy.
- Microsoft; Nokia. "Amarillo, TX to Moxee, WA," Bing Maps.
- Bartlett, Melissa. "The Strange Case of Missing Amarillo Lawyer David Glenn Lewis," KPRF-FM, June 24, 2022.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Lewis Goes Missing
David Glenn Lewis leaves work, last seen teaching a class.
Hit and Run Incident
David Glenn Lewis is struck and killed by a vehicle in Moxee, Washington.
Investigation Begins
Police in Amarillo open investigation into Lewis's disappearance.
Case Closed
Police close the case, believing Lewis disappeared voluntarily.
Identification of John Doe
DNA confirms John Doe is David Glenn Lewis, solving the case.
Reburial of Lewis
David Glenn Lewis is reburied closer to his family after identification.