Almost exactly two years after the abduction of 12-year-old paper boy Johnny Gosch, another young paperboy was abducted. In this episode, we examine the 1984 abduction of 13-year-old Eugene Martin, a Des Moines paperboy whose disappearance prompted national attention and contributed to the launch of the milk carton campaign. We begin with a look at how effective that campaign really was before walking through the known timeline of Eugene’s case. We also explore the impact his disappearance had on his family and highlight the key similarities and differences between Eugene’s case and the earlier abduction of Johnny Gosch.

If you have any information on the disappearance of Eugene Martin or Johnny Gosch, please contact the Des Moines Police Department at (515) 283-4864, or submit a tip to the statewide Iowa Cold Case Unit at 800-242-5100 or [email protected].

Sources: 

• Fruhling, Larry & Shaw, Bob, Odyssey of hope and despair, September 2, 1984, Des Moines Sunday Register
• Chariton River dragged; search for boy continues, December 30, 1984, The Daily Nonpareil
• D.M. police don't know where to search, August 19, 1984, Des Moines Sunday Register
• Alex, Tom, Missing paper carrier is believed kidnapped, August 13, 1984, Des Moines Register
• AROUND THE NATION: Des Moines Man Sought in Boy’s Disappearance, August 15, 1984, The New York Times
• Ewing, Jody, Eugene Martin Case Summary, Iowa Cold Cases
• The Charley Project - Eugene Martin
• Margaret, Eugene Wade Martin: Mysterious Disappearance at 13 | True Crime Blog, True Crime Musings, February 3, 2024
• KCCI, https://www.kcci.com/article/brother-of-eugene-martin-remains-hopeful-case-will-be-solved-nearly-four-decades-after-disappearance/44798242#
• https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2024/milk-carton-kids
• https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2017/09/04/missing-kids-milk-carton-campaign-outcome/627165001/

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