Who is Reed Jeppson? - The Unsolved Mystery
| Reed Jeppson | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age at disappearance | 15 years old |
| Family | 11 siblings, parents Elizabeth and Edward Jeppson |
| Education | Sophomore at East High School |
| Career | Student and paperboy |
| Place of death | Unknown |
| Cause of death | Unknown |
| Suspects in death | No specific suspects mentioned; foul play is suspected by family but not confirmed |
| Podcasts which cover the story | Crime Junkie Podcast |
Early Life
Reed Taylor Jeppson was born on May 28, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Elizabeth and Edward Jeppson. Growing up in a large family with eleven siblings, Reed was known to be a good and popular student with many friends both in Salt Lake City and Montana, where his family owned a summer home. He was a sophomore at East High School and played on the school's football team. Reed also worked as a paperboy, a job he took seriously and enjoyed.
Disappearance
On October 11, 1964, after attending church with his family, Reed went out to feed and walk his two German Shorthaired Pointers, telling his sister he would return within half an hour for dinner. He was last seen walking the dogs near the College of Saint Mary-of-the-Wasatch at around 1 PM, wearing a white knit cotton shirt, a reversible parka, blue Levi's jeans, and gym shoes. Neither Reed nor either of his dogs returned home, sparking an extensive search and media coverage. Despite these efforts, neither Reed nor the dogs have been located, and his disappearance remains the oldest active missing person case in the Salt Lake City Police Department's files.
Investigation and Legacy
Investigators have stated that there is no evidence of foul play in Reed's disappearance, but his loved ones believe otherwise, stating that he had no reason to run away and left all his belongings behind. In 2010, the Salt Lake City Police Department announced it would reexamine the case, and in 2012, a search was conducted in a gully for Reed's remains, which yielded no results. Reed's family had a tombstone for him interred at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Salt Lake City, listing his birth and disappearance dates. His parents are now deceased and are buried in the same cemetery.
Despite the passage of time, Reed's family and the community continue to seek answers about his disappearance. His story has been covered by various media outlets and podcasts, including Crime Junkie, in hopes of shedding new light on the case. Reed Jeppson's disappearance remains a poignant reminder of the mysteries that still exist and the enduring hope of families seeking closure.