The Disappearance of Bobby Dunbar

Two decades before the Lindbergh baby became America’s most famous missing child, four-year-old Bobby Dunbar, went missing in Opelousas, Louisiana, setting in motion one of the strangest kidnapping stories in the nation’s history.

In the summer of 1912, the Dunbar family took a trip to Swayze Lake in St. Landry Parish, where Bobby wandered off and disappeared. The boy’s disappearance was followed by an eight-month search across the American south, until Bobby was ostensibly found in the company of William Walters, a handyman traveling through the Mississippi. Bobby’s parents were elated to have their son back after such a long absence, but the problem was, very few people seem convinced that the boy was in fact Bobby Dunbar.

After extensive news coverage of the search, Walters’ trial for kidnapping, and the joyful return of Bobby to his family, interest in the case began to fade, but for the Dunbar family, questions remained about Bobby’s identity. Had the Dunbars, in their desperation to find their son, unintentionally kidnapped someone else’s child?

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

Crowley Post-Signal. 1913. "Charges fell to ground." Crowley Post-Signal , April 11: 5.

Daily Advertiser. 1914. "Walters' trial at Opelousas." Daild Advertiser (Lafayette, LA), April 21: 1.

—. 1914. "Supreme court frees Walters." Daily Advertiser (Lafayette, LA), June 30: 1.

McThenia, Tal, and Ira Glass. 2008. "The Ghost of Bobby Dunbar." This American Life. Chicago, IL: Chicago Public Media, March 14.

New York Times. 1912. "$6,000 for missing boy." New York Times, November 10: 1.

—. 1912. "Kidnapped boy murdered." New York Times, December 15: 14.

Ray, S.W. 1914. "Opelousas jury hears life story of other mother." Times-Picayune, April 23: 8.

St. Landry Clarion. 1912. "No trace of lost Bob Dunbar." St. Landry Clarion , September 7: 1.

—. 1912. "Robert Dunbar, 4 years old, mysteriously disappears." St. Landry Clarion , August 31: 4.

—. 1914. "Asks that fair play be given to the accused." St. Landry Clarion, April 18: 1.

—. 1914. "Fair play for Walters." St. Landry Clarion, April 18: 1.

Times-Democrat. 1913. "Recognizes playmates." Times- Democrat (New Orleans, LA), April 26: 1.

—. 1913. "Does not identify boy." Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA), April 22: 1.

—. 1913. "Dunbar boy talking." Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA), May 20: 4.

—. 1913. "Hunting for kidnappers." Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA), April 27: 1.

—. 1913. "Is not Bruce Anderson." Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA), April 26: 1.

—. 1913. "Now believes boy hers." Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA), May 3: 1.

—. 1912. "Scores search for missing lad." Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA), August 25: 1.

—. 1912. "Suspicion turns toward negroes." Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA), September 2: 1.

—. 1913. "Movements of Tinker." Times-Democrat, May 23: 1.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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