MURDER
CASE #: 1977-21
nicholas grassmyer
Also Known As:
nick
Status:
Open
Date of Offense:
Date of Offense:
Jurisdiction:
Offense Location:
Bellwood, Pennsylvania
Summary:
Nicholas Grassmyer was a 16-year-old junior at Bellwood-Antis High School who was reported missing in 1977 after a football game. His body was found on September 11 off Route 859, about six miles from his home, and an autopsy determined he died of a fractured skull, ruled a homicide. The killer or killers have never been caught.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Offense:
On September 9, 1977, Grassmyer played halfback in a victorious game against Tyrone, then went to visit his girlfriend. He called his parents a little after midnight, saying he had car trouble and would be walking home. He was last seen walking along Route 865 out of Bellwood toward Route 220, and he failed to return home and was reported missing. On September 10, 1977, his mother woke up to find he had not returned home from a night out. After contacting people who he may have been with and receiving no results, the mother called police to report the missing person. Police, firefighters, and members of the community then searched the areas in and around Bellwood. On September 11 at about 1:00 PM, a body was spotted by joggers by an embankment alongside the Tyrone Reservoir. They contacted the authorities and informed them they had found a body by Janesville Pike, Tyrone. State police promptly responded to the call and later identified it as Nicholas Grassmyer. An autopsy was performed on September 13. The Blair County Coroner, Charles R. Burkey, stated that Grassmyer suffered from cerebral lacerations due to a skull fracture which led to his death.
Additional Details:
As soon as the case was classified as a homicide, state police conducted a full investigation. However, with no solid leads and no leading suspects, the case went cold. There was no motive that could be definitively proved, further impeding the progress of investigators. Grassmyer is buried at Logan Valley Cemetery in Bellwood. Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers have offered a $5,000 reward for anybody who can release new information on the case. New information is being sought as state police continue to investigate the 1977 homicide. Nicholas was a normal, fun-loving 16-year-old boy with one older brother, and a mother and father. He was on the football team and loved it. He had a girlfriend he would see often.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
autopsy reveals nick died from blunt force trauma. Cerebral lacerations caused by a severe skull fracture. declared homicide
Sunday morning joggers passing a wooded area find Nicks body near an embankment off route 859 near tyrone reservoir, 6-7 miles away from where he was last seen walking
Nicholas Grassmyer plays halfback in a victorious football game against Tyrone, then visits his girlfriend
Early morning, his parents realize Nick never returned home and his mother calls the police
Nick was last seen alive walking along route 685 (near Cambells Lane) heading out of Bellwood toward Route 220
nicks car breaks down and he finds a payphone to call his parents
nick visits girlfriend after the football game and leaves between 12am and 1am
Associated Persons
Unknown U. (Girlfriend) - Unknown
Bob G. (Father) - Living
Unknown G. (Older brother) - Unknown
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