Two young boys vanished from a Harlem playground in 1989 within months of each other, prompting police to suspect a link between the disappearances. Christopher Dansby and Shane Walker were both 2 years old when they disappeared from the Martin Luther King Playground in New York City under nearly identical circumstances.
Background
Christopher Dansby was last seen on May 18, 1989, while walking with his mother, Alison Dansby. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Alison left Christopher at the park with relatives to quickly run to a grocery store across the street. Upon her return, Christopher was gone. His grandmother later stated she had momentarily taken her eyes off the child before he vanished.
Nearly three months later, on August 10, 1989, Shane Walker disappeared from the same location. His mother, Rosa Glover, told ABC 7 New York that she turned her head and when she looked back, Shane was gone. Both boys vanished during the evening on a Tuesday and had reportedly been playing with the same two other children in the park prior to disappearing.
The Investigation
NYPD Deputy Chief Ronald J. Fenrich addressed the striking similarities following Walker's disappearance. While law enforcement could not definitively state the children were taken by the same person, Fenrich noted the patterns were too close to ignore. Retired NYPD Inspector Ken Lindahl indicated that theories have emerged over the years, including the possibility that the children were allegedly sold on the black market rather than killed.
Lindahl stated on an Unsolved Mysteries episode that the lack of bodies suggests the boys might have survived. Deputy Chief Fenrich suggested that someone unable to adopt legally might have stolen the children to raise as their own. Christopher was described as 2 feet, 6 inches tall with a birthmark on his neck resembling an 8. Shane stood 3 feet tall with a scar under his chin.
Key Takeaways
- Both children were 2 years old at the time of disappearance
- Vanished from Martin Luther King Playground in New York City
- Both disappeared on Tuesdays during the evening in 1989
- NCMEC is currently seeking public assistance
What's Next
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children continues to seek information regarding both cases. Families and investigators urge anyone with information to contact NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST. These cases remain open as part of ongoing efforts to locate the missing.