For many teenagers, transitioning from high school to college or trade school is a rite of passage. While attending high school, most teenagers don’t know what they want to do after high school. Besides, there are many options. Some will join the military while others will enter the workforce immediately. But there are those who know exactly what they want to do after high school graduation. Henry Louis Baltimore Jr. wanted to be in a marching band and then become a social worker. His goals were noble and admirable. 
Henry was the oldest son of Doris and Henry L. Baltimore Sr. After graduating from Parkland High School in 1970, he enrolled at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He worked at the MSU library and was a co-drum major of the university’s marching band. After college, he planned on entering social services. He was prepared to work hard and accomplish his goals.
After high school, Henry left home and moved into an off-campus apartment with roommates. He was last seen on May 30, 1973. His sister Lural Baltimore, also an MSU student, had shown up at his apartment to type a paper for him. When she arrived, he wasn’t home. Although his car and belongings were still at the apartment, Henry wasn’t there. His roommates said he went to the library and never returned home.
During the investigation, authorities learned that a man named Roy Davis and an unknown man had robbed Henry several weeks before he disappeared. While Henry was home alone, Davis and his accomplice tied Henry to a bed and then stole a golf bag, watch, clothing, and cash.
Originally, Henry didn’t report the robbery for nearly two weeks because he said Davis had threatened him. Henry’s father convinced his son to report the robbery. After authorities arrested Davis, Henry refused to appear in court and testify against Davis. One of Henry’s roommates claimed Davis showed up at the apartment on May 24 and threatened Henry. He then asked the prosecutor to drop all charges against Davis.
The prosecutor refused.
Originally, the police and Henry’s family thought he had gone into hiding because Davis had terrified him. The police and Henry’s family later determined he had met with foul play. Henry’s family knew something had happened to him because he would never leave without telling someone in his family. Without Henry’s testimony, Davis accepted a plea deal and served six weeks in the Ingham County Jail.
For nearly 50 years, the remaining Baltimore family members still seek answers. After Henry’s disappearance, Henry Baltimore Sr. died in 1990; his wife Doris followed in 2014. Moreover, two of their other sons have also since died without receiving any answers.
Although Davis was considered a person of interest, his mother provided an alibi for him when Henry disappeared. However, a neighbor reported seeing Davis and another man knocking on Henry’s door on the day he vanished. However, Davis denied any involvement and was never charged.
Henry Baltimore Jr. would have made a great social worker. Unfortunately, no one will ever get to see his contributions to society through social services. All these years later, his family has accepted that Henry is deceased. Today, there doesn’t seem to be any significant progress on Henry’s case.
There are two potential theories about this case. Either someone abducted and murdered Henry to prevent him from testifying against Roy Davis or Henry left Michigan, changed his identity and assumed a different name. Henry’s case remains open. What happened to him nearly 50 years ago? If anyone knows what happened to this young man, please call 1-800-MICH-TIP.
Marc is a longtime resident of Clermont County and an avid reader. Contact him through his website at www.themarcabe.com or through Facebook: www.Facebook.com/themarcabe or his Twitter account @themarcabe. Marc also has a podcast called Catch my Killer where he interviews family members seeking justice for their murdered loved ones. You can listen at www.catchmykiller.com.