Name: Victor John Theel
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: September 5, 1944
Location Last Seen: Paynesville, Stearns County, Minnesota
Date of Birth: February 15, 1938
Age: 6 years old
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 3'0"
Weight: 45 lbs.
Hair Color: Blond
Eye Color: Blue
Nickname/Alias: Jackie
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown
Dentals: Unknown
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown
Clothing: Blue Navy suit was slightly faded, three white stripes on square cut collar and also on the wrists of his sleeves. Straight bottom long pants, high front pockets, pants buttoned to waist, safety pin replacing button in back. New black shoes with welt seam from toe to instep, brown short socks, no cap or undergarments.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
On Tuesday, September 5, 1944, Jackie attended his first day of school. His mom sent him with a note saying an older brother would pick him up, but when school let out the teacher allowed Jackie to leave on his own. His home was on the corner of Lake Avenue south and east Railroad Street in Paynesville; that address is now a vacant lot.
When he didn’t come home, his mom called the sheriff. That prompted a massive search with hundreds of volunteers. Boy Scout troops from neighboring towns were called in to help. Sheriff’s department blood hounds and even the civil air patrol took part.
It was a blood hound that found the only clue. It followed Jackie’s scent on a wandering trail leading away from the school down to the river that runs through town. Newspaper records detail how the dog then tracked the scent away from the river, through the west end of Paynesville, and out to a ditch along Old Highway 23.
From there Jackie’s scent vanished. There was strong speculation that little Jackie had been abducted.
Agency Name: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Agency Contact Person: Jason Mielke
Agency Phone Number: 651-793-7000
Agency E-Mail: bca.tips@state.mn.us
Agency Case Number: 32719
Agency Name: Stearns County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: Criminal Investigations Division
Agency Phone Number: 320-259-3700
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 32719
NamUs Case Number: 52980
NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs
KARE-TV News
Jackie Theel Missing Person Poster
Added: 08/12/2012; Last Updated: 01-23-2024 - By: Htmlcnvtr
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information is from the time of disappearance.
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