Independent Detective

Case #69 -  Reeves Kemp Johnson III

• Date of Incident (Last Seen) – February 3rd, 1983

• Location – Kittery, York County, Maine
• Date of Birth: 1951
• Case Entry Made: 03/02/2026
• Last Updated: 03/02/2026

Sgt. Brian Cummer: Kittery Police Department:
(207) 439-1638

NamUs#: MP8211

Social Media Links:
Facebook Group: Reeve’s Facebook Post About Manhunt
Murder She Told: Johnson’s Case
Charley Project: Reeve’s Page
Spectrum Local News: Cold Case for Reeves
WGME News: Missing and Bank Drained
Press Herald: Missing Kittery Man
Websleuths: Reeve’s Page
NamUs: Reeve’s Page

Mystery of Reeves Kemp Johnson III: Four Decades of Unanswered Questions

KITTERY, Maine — For more than 40 years, the disappearance of Reeves Kemp Johnson III, a 31-year-old welder and Kittery resident, has remained one of New England’s most enduring unsolved missing person cases. While once relegated to dusty police files, renewed investigative efforts in recent years have brought new leads, public interest, and hope to a family that has spent decades searching for answers.

The Disappearance

Johnson was last seen on February 3, 1983, after finishing his shift at Donnelly Manufacturing in Exeter, New Hampshire, where he worked as a welder. He lived alone in a small cabin on Jewett Court in Kittery, Maine, and regularly checked in with family in Philadelphia — a routine he broke following that February workday.

When Johnson did not show up for work the next day, friends and family assumed he might have quit without notice. But concern arose when his usual weekly calls were missed, and he failed to respond to repeated attempts to reach him.

Baffling Clues and Anomalies

In the weeks following his disappearance, a series of perplexing clues emerged:

– Uncharacteristic financial activity: Banks records showed that Johnson’s account — previously in good standing — was depleted via checks used for groceries and electronics that were out of character for his typical behavior and beyond his financial means at the time.

– Cabin cleared out: When police performed a wellness check on February 15, 1983, his cabin was found abandoned with the door unlocked, pipes frozen, and nearly all personal and valuable items missing, including clothing and tools.

– The vanished vehicle: Johnson’s red 1972 Volkswagen Beetle was towed to a Portsmouth service station for repairs; a man later identified by a mechanic based on a police snapshot claimed to be Reeves while attempting to pay the repair bill with a check.

– Mystery man at post office: In late February 1983, an unknown individual was spotted at Johnson’s post office box in Kittery handling his mail — including his final paycheck — before fleeing when approached by Johnson’s mother. Police have never identified this man or determined his connection to the case.

Despite these odd developments, no body has ever been found, and no one has been arrested in connection with his disappearance.

Reopening the Case: New Investigative Efforts

For many years, the case sat dormant with limited public visibility. That changed in October 2021, when Kittery Police Department Detective Brian Cummer officially reopened the investigation and began pulling together overlooked records and evidence.

In collaboration with the “Murder, She Told” podcast, hosted by Kristen Seavey, investigators have:

– Digitized decades-old case files to better analyze patterns and leads.
– Uncovered a previously unknown letter referencing a woman named “Cheryl” who may have been closely connected to Johnson in the late 1970s — an individual police hope to locate and talk with.
– Confirmed that Johnson also worked briefly in 1981 as a dishwasher at the Borderline Restaurant in Kittery, providing a potential network of past acquaintances who might hold clues today.

Investigators stress Cheryl is not a suspect, but believe her perspective could help fill gaps about Johnson’s life and mindset prior to his disappearance.

Public Appeal and Reward

Authorities have offered a reward for information leading to Johnson’s whereabouts. They maintain that even small tips could help unlock this mystery — a puzzle that has spanned generations.

Where the Investigation Stands Today

The mystery of Reeves Kemp Johnson III remains unresolved, but efforts to locate additional witnesses, verify leads, and engage the public continue. New insights from family correspondence, interviews, and digitized records have provided fresh angles for investigators. The Kittery Police Department continues to seek information, urging anyone with potential knowledge — no matter how small — to come forward.

This case is widely considered a cold missing person investigation with ongoing interest from law enforcement, the victim’s family, and civilian investigators who believe that the truth may yet come to light.

—————————————————————————————————

Facebook Post in Regards to Manhunt for Person of Interest:

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN? He is wanted for questioning in connection to a missing person.

Today marks 43 years since this photo was taken. We do not know the identity of the man, but he may be the key to locating Reeves Johnson, a missing person from Kittery, Maine from 1983.

📍Key Locations: Kittery, ME. Portsmouth, Stratham, and Exeter, NH.

This man was in his late 20’s or early 30’s in 1983; white, about 6-feet tall and lean. He had chestnut brown hair, about chin-length, and a full beard. He likely lived lived near Portsmouth, NH, Exeter, or Stratham.

This photo was taken on February 24th, 1983 at the Kittery Post Office by Reeves’ mother, Barbara. This man was using the key to Reeves’ mailbox to take his last check from Donnelly Manufacturing with the intentions of cashing it. Reeves had been missing since February 3rd.

In the weeks following his disappearance, Reeves’ bank account was drained and his belongings went missing. Reeves was never positively identified after the 3rd and hasn’t been heard from since.

➡️ Learn more about Reeves’ story: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/reeves-johnson-2

Did you know Reeves Johnson? Do you know a woman named Cheryl who lived in the Kittery/seacoast area in 1978? Do you or somebody you know work for Donnelly Manufacturing or Borderline Restaurant? Do you have any possible information about this photo?

📍If yes, please call Sgt. Brian Cummer of the Kittery Police Department at (207) 439-1638
There is a $6k reward for information that leads to the recovery or whereabouts of Reeves Johnson.

Man Police are trying to locate in regards to Reeves

• ShareCopied to clipboard
• Facebook
• X
• Reddit
• Tumblr
• Pinterest
• Print