Charles Robert Romer

Charles, circa 1980

  • Missing Since 04/08/1980
  • Missing From Brunswick, Georgia
  • Classification Endangered Missing
  • Sex Male
  • Race White
  • Age 73 years old
  • Height and Weight 5'11, 205 pounds
  • Associated Vehicle(s) Black custom model 1979 Lincoln Continental with the New York license plate number CRR-CBR
  • Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Gray hair.

Details of Disappearance

Charles and his wife of five years, Catherine, disappeared together from Brunswick, Georgia on April 8, 1980. The couple was en route from their winter home in Miami, Florida to their house in Scarsdale, New York, driving a black custom model 1979 Lincoln Continental with the New York license plate number CRR-CBR.

They checked into a Holiday Inn along Interstate 95 and U.S. 341 at 3:51 p.m. and took their belongings to their room, Room 149. At around 5:00 p.m., a Georgia Highway Patrol officer saw the couple's car south of Brunswick near some restaurants. Neither the Romers nor their car were ever seen again.

Hotel management called the police on April 11, as Charles and Catherine had not checked out and Room 149 did not appear to have been occupied since they checked in.

Charles kept a detailed travel diary, including notes of what he and his wife ate at every meal. The diary was found in the room, along with the couple's luggage and some potted plants Catherine was taking home to New York. There was one pair of glasses and a book lying on the nightstand next to one of the beds, and financial papers, including checkbook and income tax forms, were spread out on the desk.

An extensive search of the area turned up no indication of the Romers' whereabouts and their car could not be found either. One theory was that someone who wanted to rob the couple followed them up from Miami, killed them and disposed of their car, but there is no actual evidence to support this. Their cases remain unsolved.

Investigating Agency

  • Glynn County Police Department 912-554-7800

Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004. Last updated March 21, 2021; casefile added.