Theodore Alan Carey:1970, Dayton, Ohio

    

   Theodore Alan Carey was born on May 27th, 1937 to Virginia and William Carey. 

    He was born during the Great Depression in the United States. He would have grown up during World War 2. Those years were difficult economic times for everyone but especially for African Americans. 

   Sadly, Theodore’s father passed away when Theodore was young. I couldn’t find the exact date.  But his mother remarried and in the 1950 census the new little family is living in Indian Hill. That’s a tree lined suburb east of Cincinnati. Theodore’s stepfather, Shanklin, was the caretaker of a private home there. This meant that Theodore was able to go to school in a very nice school district in the Cincinnati area.

   Theodore graduated from Indian Hill High School in Indian Hill, Ohio in 1957.

    

   Then he joined the U.S. Air Force. He served in Vietnam, the Philippines, Europe and later also at Wright-Patterson A.F.B. which is located east of Dayton, back in his home state of Ohio.  He served for 12 years before leaving the Air Force for other pursuits. 

   Once out of the service he worked at National Distillers Products in Cincinnati. The company made spirits such as Old Taylor, Old Grandad and Gilbey’s Gin. 

   He had a daughter named Virginia Armelda Carey in 1960. She was named after his mother. (She sadly passed away in 1984.)

   Theodore lived in Cincinnati at 5021 Ravenna Street. 

   In early December 1970, Theodore had traveled to Dayton, Ohio and was staying at the Sheraton-Dayton Hotel on North Main Street. 

   What was the purpose of his trip there? Was he visiting someone he knew from his days in the Air Force? Was he there on business or for a job interview? Was he with anyone on the trip? 

   

   On Friday morning, December 4th, 1970 a member of the Sheraton Hotel staff entered the room after knocking and getting no answer, to tidy up. She found Theodore Carey lying face down on the floor at the foot of his bed. He had been shot once with a small caliber weapon in the chest. 

    Did Dayton investigators gather fingerprint evidence? Did they question hotel staff about any visitors to Mr. Carey’s room? 

   Was anything missing?  Had he been robbed? 

   

   Very little was written in the newspapers about Theodore Carey’s murder and the subsequent investigation. 

   But someone knows something. Maybe someone can come forward with information to help solve the murder of this Veteran.  He was a beloved father, son, nephew and friend. 

   Theodore Carey’s funeral Mass was held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Madisonville in Cincinnati. It was his local parish church. He and his family were devout Catholics. 

   Every cold case needs someone to care about solving it.  The more people who care; the more likely a cold case is to be solved. 

If you feel that you have information that may be useful in helping to solve Theodore Alan Carey’s murder, please submit a tip using the link below: 

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Law-Enforcement/Investigator/Cold-Case/Homicides/Carey