Douglas Alan Mueller was a young man who was abducted on March 15, 1977 in Mesa, Arizona. His femur was located on September 23, 2007 and identified in July 2011.
Background
Douglas Mueler was born on January 5, 1958 to Lawrence and Beverly Mueller. He was raised with two brothers, Dennis and Randy and one sister, Lisa. He played baseball and football in high school and was attending Scottsdale Community College at the time of his disappearance. While in high school, Douglas was allegedly involved in marijuana although in what sense is unclear.
Disappearance
Douglas was reported missing after failing to return home from his place of employment at the Whiting Brothers station located at 7630 E McDowell, Mesa, Arizona. A few days later, his parents recieved a phone call ordering them to go to a specific pay phone at a Scottsdale parking lot. Whent they went to said pay phone, they found Douglas' driver's license and a ransom note demanding $50,000 in his handwriting.
After they paid the money and leaving it at the location, they got three more calls demanding a $50,000 ransom. Everytime, Lawrence and Beverly paid the ransom, the money was never picked up and Douglas was never seen again. His car would be located at the Phoenix Airport, but nothing suspicious was located in it and no further clues were found.
Close friends and family speculated that the motive behind his disappearance could be associated with his alleged involvement in marijuana from high school.
Identification
At 3:45 p.m. on September 23, 2007, a femur was discovered by a Scottsdale resident taking a walk at 23993 North 74th Place in the area of Los Portones and Thompson Peak Parkway. DNA tests on July 2011 confirmed the bone belonged to Douglas Mueller. He now has a grave at the Risen Savior Lutheran Church Columbarium in Chandler, Arizona.
Per the Scottsdale Police Department, his murder remains unsolved and no further remains have been located.
