This week’s Cold Case Project focuses on a decades-old mystery from Tacoma — the disappearance and eventual identification of William “Bill” Church Jr., a young man who went missing in 1977 and was later determined to be the victim of a homicide.
The disappearance and discovery
William “Bill” Church Jr. was just 20 years old when he disappeared in 1977. For years, his fate remained unknown. In 1978, mushroom pickers made a grim discovery.
“He disappeared in 1977, but the first remains weren’t found until 1978,” Pierce County Deputy Carly Cappetto said.
A decade later, more remains were located…