Missing
Harry Lewis Israel
Israel, approximately 1996
Date and time person was reported missing : 12/08/1996
Missing location (approx) :
Pinellas Park, Florida
Missing classification : Endangered Missing
Gender : Male
Ethnicity :
White
DOB : 10/10/1913 (107)
Age at the time of disappearance: 83 years old
Height / Weight : 5'5, 150 pounds
Medical conditions : Israel's foot was injured at the time of his disappearance and he may have limped as a result.
Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos
: Caucasian male. Gray hair, blue eyes.
Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Israel owned Hanson Trailer StorAge at the time of disappearance: in the 7500 block of north 72nd Avenue in Pinellas Park, Florida. His residence was adjacent to the business. Israel was last seen at approximately 12:00 p.m. on December 8, 1996. A repairman reported that he was inside his home at the time.
Israel has never been heard from again. His car was left behind, parked in the driveway. His adult daughter, his only child, reported him as a missing person the same day he was last seen. Authorities initially believed that Israel became disoriented and wandered away from his house. His family members said that he was in good mental and physical condition in 1996. There was no sign of a struggle at his residence.
Investigators learned that Israel evicted his former tenant, Edward William Vanderbilt, for non-payment of rent prior to his disappearance. Israel's case was reclassified as a homicide after authorities announced the discovery of a bloodstained piece of carpeting inside his home.
Prior to his disappearance, Israel usually drove everywhere, even for very short trips. He had lived in Florida for thirty years prior to 1996 and during that time had never spent a night away from his home, and usually returned to his residence by nightfall.
There have not been any arrests in connection with Israel's disappearance, which remains unsolved.
Other information and links : ncy
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
727-582-6200
September 2021 updates and sources
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Pinellas County Sheriff's Department
The Tampa Tribune
The St. Petersburg Times
The Doe Network
October 12, 2004. October 16, 2007; Medical conditions : added, Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : updated.
Interactive Missing Person Search Map
