Tucson gem and mineral dealer Charles "Chuck" Simmons had plans for the weekend - a date night with his girlfriend, catching a University of Arizona basketball game and celebrating a friend's birthday.
But the 52-year-old nature lover didn't do any of those things. He disappeared on Jan. 14, 2004.
Simmons' truck was found across the street from a business associate's downtown warehouse. At about the time of his disappearance, a moving van rented by the associate was driven to California on business. When detectives tracked down the van, they found in it DNA evidence thought to belong to Simmons.
Friends said the only worry Simmons had at the time of his disappearance was trying to recoup hundreds of thousands of dollars owed to him by the business associate.
STATUS
The Pima County Sheriff's Department does not classify Simmons' case as cold. He is listed as a missing person, and investigators continue to follow leads.
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"However, there haven't been too many leads over the last few years," Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Deputy Dawn Barkman said. "They believe there is foul play in his disappearance, but they do not have any suspects."
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Scott Patterson had known Simmons since grade school - a friendship that spanning 40 years. He is frustrated by the mystery surrounding his friend's whereabouts. "Is he in fact dead, or is he not? That's not something that can be answered, so it is unresolved. For anyone that cared about that person, it's a continuing source of pain and frustration," said Patterson, who went backpacking in Yosemite with Simmons a few months before Simmons vanished.
Simmons was involved with the local gem and mineral show every year, and Patterson hopes someone in town for this year's events will come forward with information that can help solve the case.
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Star's "Cold Case" features unsolved crimes in the Tucson area. Anyone with information is urged to call 88-CRIME. Tips also can be submitted online at www.88crime.org; or by text message at 274637, then enter tip259 plus your text message.
Contact reporter Kimberly Matas at kmatas@azstarnet. com or at 573-4191 if you have been a victim of an unsolved crime or if you are related to a victim of an unsolved homicide.
