Tom Starkel, Monday4 the Missing

by Mammabear

Tom Starkel was a very special young man in my life who disppeared off the face of the earth back in Dec. 1979, Its been a very long time but I've never given up hope of finding him justice!!! someone out there knows what happen that night..

I found the above message posted on
Missing Pieces Official Message Board
That's almost 30 years Missing! A lot can happen in a 30 year span. People wed, and/or have children. Some make their fortune, while others loose everything. Time just moves on along, as usual. At least time moves forward for some people.
For others, time is nothing more than a standstill limbo. Sure, they go through the motions of being here, 'in the now.' Yet in reality, they are faced with that one haunting question... and in Hollyjean's case, her question for almost 30 years has been "What Happened to Tom Starkel?"

Vital Statistics
Date Of Birth: July 15, 1960
Age at Time of Disappearance: 19 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'6"; 150 lbs.
Distinguishing Characteristics: White male. Blond hair; green eyes.
Clothing: Tan sweater and brown corduroy pants.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department 323-526-5541
Agency Case Number: 079124061
NCIC Number:M-648165993
The Doe Network

Details of Disappearance
Starkel was last seen leaving his girlfriend's home in Palmdale, California on December 5, 1979. Authorities believe he did arrive at his own apartment afterwards, but he has never been heard from again. Starkel was driving a dark green Pontiac Firebird with Nevada license plates at the time of his disappearance. His vehicle was recovered two weeks later, when it was pulled over driving into California from Nevada. Another individual was driving the vehicle and there was no sign of Starkey. The person was arrested and held for about two weeks, but eventually released for lack of evidence connecting him to Starkey's disappearance. Starkey's case remains unsolved.
The Charley Project

I've been sifting through google, looking for whatever information I can find about Tom. One thing that has me a bit puzzled is the fact that Tom disappeared without a trace, and someone else was found driving his vehicle. (arrested then later released due to lack of evidence) YET when I view .state.ca.us/ Tom is listed as a Voluntary Missing Adult?
Missing Person

Other than a few sites, such as The Charley Project and The Doe Network, there really isn't much information out there about Tom. He's not on
North American Missing Persons, a sister site of The Doe Network, or the National Center for Missing Adults.

What I see is one dedicated Hollyjean, posting on every missing person's forum she can find...in hopes of having that one question answered...What happened to Tom Starkel?