Jimmie Ray Shoemake Jr

Date Found: April 30, 1983

Location: Anadarko, Oklahoma

Investigating Agency: Anadarko Police Department

(405) 247-2411

Jimmy (or Jimmie) Ray Shoemake, Jr., pictured here at age 6, was 12 when he disappeared in August of 1982 from the Indian Expo in Anadarko, Oklahoma. His body was found 8 months later along the railroad tracks. His case is open and unsolved.

When Jimmy disappeared the 12-year-old was considered a runaway by law enforcement, some of whom did not take the case seriously. Some acquaintances and family members even believed Jimmy had run away to join the circus. However, on April 30th, 1983, a train engineer spotted some human skeletal remains on the northeast outskirts of Anadarko. Dental records confirmed that the remains were those of 12-year-old Jimmy Shoemake. He was wearing the clothing he was last seen it and his remains had been scattered by animal activity. Cause of death was impossible to determine due to the state of the remains.

Jimmy, who was Native, attended kindergarten in the Chouteau, Oklahoma area. Little else is known about his life. Anadarko PD confirmed the case is still unsolved but there’s been little investigative activity in the case.

If you have any information about the murder of young Jimmie Ray Shoemake, Jr. please call the Anadarko PD at 405-247-2411. All information is helpful.