Song Im Joseph was a young woman who disappeared from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on June 8, 1975. Foul play is suspected in her case. She is also noted for being the longest-serving Korean person to be missing in the United States.
Background[]
Song Joseph was born and raised in South Korea on July 8, 1954. She grew up in a rural area six miles from Seoul. She moved to the United State in November 1974 with her husband, Alton Edward Joseph, a United States Army soldier. He has criminal convictions in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. During his military service, he stole over 20 pounds of C4 from Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he worked as a supply clerk. He brought it to Delaware from Massachusetts where he used to live.
Song worked as a housekeeper at a local motel. She was also one of the very few Asian residents in Rhoboth Beach; most residents were white. She was having marital problems with Alton and she told friends she was being followed by a Korean-speaking man. There are no further details on who this man could be.
Dissappearance[]
Song was last seen at her residence on Bay Road in Rehoboth Beach. Alton claimed when he got home, she was not at the house and he assumed she was at a friend's house to calm down from an argument earlier that morning. He reported her missing two days later when she did not return. He has gave conflicting statements to the police. At one point, he said Song left with nothing and another point he said she left with $30. Alton chalked it up to confusing dates. Alton was confirmed by coworkers to be at work on the day of her disappearance.
Song's passport, visa, and personal possessions were left behind. She had no access to a vehicle and has not used her Social Security number or been arrested since she disappeared. There is nothing to indicate she returned to South Korea. At the time, Delaware Crime Stoppers offered $1000 for information.
Four days after Song disappeared, Alton reenlisted in the United States Army and returned to Korea which authorities found suspicious. In April 2001, Alton was arrested by federal authorities for the C4 theft. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 months in February 2003.
Song's case is under investigation by the Delaware State Police. Authorities state there are two suspects in her case, one of them being Alton.
Characteristics[]
- Black hair.
- Brown eyes.
- Dark complexion.
- Slender build.
- Of Korean descent.
Clothing and accessories[]
- Red halter top with green and blue flowers.
- Blue checkered slacks.
- Brown and white sandals.
- Gold wedding band with diamond.
The News Journal (October 31, 1983)
Sources[]
- Song Joseph at the Charley Project
- Song Joseph at the Doe Network
- The JoongAng
- Song Joseph at NamUs
- The News Journal