Scott Murray Campbell

• Missing Since 04/16/1982
• Missing From Anaheim, California
• Classification Endangered Missing
• Sex Male
• Race White
• Date of Birth 07/13/1954 (70)
• Age 27 years old
• Height and Weight 5'10, 140 pounds
• Clothing/Jewelry Description A short-sleeved pullover shirt and tan Angel Flight slacks.
• Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Brown hair, blue eyes. Campbell has a hairline scar on his forehead.

Details of Disappearance

Campbell was last seen in Anaheim, California on April 16, 1982. Police investigating his disappearance learned that he met his best friend, Lawrence Rayburn "Larry" Cowell, and another man, Donald Dimascio, on the day of his disappearance. A photo of Cowell is posted with this case summary. The three men were supposed to fly to Fargo, North Dakota, but instead the plane flew west out over the Pacific.

Sometime during the flight, investigators believe, Campbell was murdered, possibly during a drug-related robbery. They theorized that Cowell piloted the plane and had Dimascio strangle Campbell, and the two men threw his body into the ocean near Catalina Island.

Cowell was arrested after authorities discovered he had Campbell's Pantera sports car and was stripping it and selling the parts. He had several prior convictions and, at the time of Campbell's disappearance, was out on bond awaiting trial for vehicular manslaughter; he had killed someone in a drunk driving accident in 1980. He was later convicted of that charge and sentenced to 180 days in jail.

Cowell admitted to causing Campbell's death, but stated it wasn't premeditated and Dimascio acted in self-defense after Campbell threatened him with a gun. Both men were convicted of murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit murder.

An appeals court later overturned Cowell's conviction, but he was convicted again at his second trial. Dimascio was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Cowell is serving two terms of twenty-five years to life in prison. Dimascio is now deceased; Cowell applied for parole in 2011 and was denied.

Campbell's remains have never been located.