Up and Vanished Weekly: Episode Summary – "VANISHED: Reeves Johnson"
Release Date: July 9, 2025
Hosts: Payne Lindsay and Maggie Freeling
Introduction to Reeves Johnson's Case
In this episode of Up and Vanished Weekly, hosts Payne Lindsay and Maggie Freeling delve into the mysterious disappearance of Reeves Johnson, a 31-year-old man who vanished in the early 1980s from Kittery, Maine. Despite the passage of over four decades, Reeves's case has remained largely under the radar, prompting a fresh investigation led by Payne Lindsay and supported by Maggie Freeling.
Background and Initial Investigation
Reeves Johnson was last seen in 1980, after exhibiting unexplained behavioral changes and being diagnosed with hypoglycemia—a diagnosis that was not well-understood or easily treatable at the time (07:00). His family, particularly his mother Lisa McDaniel, tirelessly sought answers, maintaining meticulous records and engaging local law enforcement, yet no concrete leads emerged until Payne Lindsay's involvement years later.
Key Quote:
"Nobody else bothered to protect me. Nobody else bothered to protect my siblings." — Michelle, Reeves’s sister (00:44)
Catalyst for Renewed Interest
In October 2021, Payne Lindsay discovered an article about Reeves's disappearance through a Google alert. Realizing the case lacked visibility, he reached out to Sergeant Brian Kummer of the Kittery Police Department. This connection led to a collaborative effort, granting Payne access to Reeves's case files and family members, reigniting efforts to solve the case (03:36).
Key Quote:
"The timeline is so bizarre, and it just doesn't seem like this man just chose to disappear." — Payne Lindsay (05:00)
Detailed Timeline of Reeves Johnson's Disappearance
February 1980:
- Reeves's family, Barbara and Kemp Johnson, monitor his post office box, hoping he would come to collect his final paycheck.
- On February 24, 1980, a mysterious man with a red hat accesses Reeves's P.O. box, throwing away items and claiming Reeves is in Portsmouth. The man flees before Barbara can follow, leaving only a partially identifying photograph (05:47).
Subsequent Events:
- Reeves exhibits unusual spending patterns leading up to his disappearance, including large, out-of-character purchases that raised suspicions among investigators (34:11).
- Despite numerous checkbook activities suggesting possible foul play, no definitive evidence has surfaced to explain his sudden vanishing (35:11).
Key Quote:
"If you're gonna take him, then go ahead and take him." — Payne Lindsay (03:09)
Challenges in the Investigation
One of the primary hurdles has been the lack of reliable eyewitness accounts and insufficient forensic evidence:
- The lone photo of the stranger in the red hat is obscured, providing minimal leads.
- The Volkswagen Beetle Reeves owned was never fully analyzed, with no fingerprints or forensic data obtained.
- Potential sightings of Reeves after his disappearance are based on unreliable eyewitnesses, a significant issue given the era's limited technology (36:45).
Key Quote:
"His communication is constant with his family... so I don't think that he would have just left his family hanging like that without answers." — Payne Lindsay (45:01)
Theories and Speculations
Several theories have emerged regarding Reeves's disappearance:
-
Foul Play:
- Despite Reeves not appearing to have substantial financial means, some speculate he could have been a victim of a crime, possibly linked to the hitchhiker he picked up.
- Payne Lindsay suggests, "We think that maybe this situation was just somebody taking advantage." (55:46)
-
Voluntary Disappearance:
- Given Reeves's history of generosity and lack of motive to disappear, this theory is considered less likely.
- Lindsay states, "He would have communicated... because it's just left this gaping hole." (45:01)
-
Medical Emergency or Accident:
- Reeves's hypoglycemia could have led to a medical crisis, resulting in his disappearance under unexpected circumstances.
-
New Identity:
- While possible, especially in the pre-digital era, this would require Reeves to maintain his medical regimen, which seems implausible without informing his family.
Ongoing Investigations and New Leads
Payne Lindsay and his team have uncovered new information:
- Reeves previously worked at a Borderline Restaurant in 1981, a detail unknown to his family (53:01).
- They have identified a girlfriend named Cheryl, whose current whereabouts and involvement remain unclear.
- Efforts to locate Cheryl are ongoing, with hopes that she can provide crucial insights into Reeves's last known activities (53:55).
Key Quote:
"We do think that somebody maybe took advantage of him, like, maybe there was a medical event, maybe there was an accident." — Payne Lindsay (55:46)
Community Involvement and Call for Information
The hosts emphasize the importance of public assistance in solving Reeves's case. They encourage listeners to share any information that could lead to breakthroughs, highlighting the potential of increased visibility in uncovering new leads.
Key Quote:
"This is film, this is... there is no CCTV, there's no cell phones. Like today, you would have 20 photos of the man." — Payne Lindsay (43:52)
Conclusion and Future Directions
Payne Lindsay and Maggie Freeling conclude that the most plausible scenario is that something untoward happened to Reeves, potentially involving someone he knew. They remain optimistic that continued investigation and public engagement will eventually bring resolution to Reeves Johnson's enduring mystery.
Final Quote:
"We desperately want to bring him home and recover him and have the family have that peace of mind." — Payne Lindsay (55:46)
How to Help
Listeners are urged to contact the Kittery Police Department if they have any information:
- Detective Bryant Kummer
- Email: brykom@kitterypolice.com
- Phone: 207-439-1638
Additionally, outreach can be made through the Murder She Told podcast and the Up and Vanished Weekly social media platforms.
Timestamp References:
- 00:44 Quote from Michelle about family protection
- 03:09 Payne on unexpected investigation involvement
- 05:00 Payne on bizarre timeline
- 05:47 Rob's detailed narration of February 24, 1980
- 07:00 Discussing hypoglycemia diagnosis
- 10:43 Discussion on photo's absence in original investigation
- 34:11 Analysis of Reeves's spending patterns
- 35:11 Large, out-of-character purchases
- 36:45 Struggles with unreliable eyewitnesses
- 43:52 Lack of comprehensive photo evidence
- 45:01 Payne on Reeves not voluntarily disappearing
- 53:01 Discovery of Reeves's work at Borderline Restaurant
- 53:55 Introduction of Reeves's girlfriend, Cheryl
- 55:46 Payne's conclusion on foul play
- 58:12 How to follow and support the investigation
Note: This summary excludes advertisement breaks and non-content sections to focus solely on the investigative narrative surrounding Reeves Johnson's disappearance.