Matthew was a 17 year old soldier. He was stationed at Fort Dix N.J. Matthew was discharged from the Army on March 6th because of a asmtha condition. Matthew left his home town of Pottsville and hitched a ride on Rt 61 in Schuykill Haven. The words below are what Matthew said to the people who gave him a ride when they asked where he was heading.
"I don't care. I just want to get as far away from here as I can"
A short time later Matthew got another hitch to Morgantown by two youths. Again, when asked where he was heading, Mathew replied "I'm getting out of the drunken town of Pottsville." He also told the two youths who gave him the ride that he had been in a fight with three men, and was headed towards Philadelphia to get some friends.
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* Matthew's body was found Aprox. 2 AM in the Northbound Lane of the Morgantown Expressway about 2 1/2 miles from the Route 23 Interchange in Caernarvon Twp. * A car who swerved to avoid hitting Matthew's body, pulled onto the grass medial divider to use his CB radio to call for help. As he did, a jeep came down the road and hit Matthew's body. * ALL INDICATIONS - showed Matthew was dead before the jeep hit him. He could have been struck by a first vehicle who fled the scene and never reported the accident.
The autopsy showed that ribs on the right side of the body were the only bones in the body that were broken. Also, Matthew was decapitated . The locations of the broken bones and the lack of other broken bones do not fit the usual physical pattern of a pedestrian accident. ** There was no evidence at the scene - broken glass - that a vehicle struck Matthew.
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In 2000 Someone went into the State Police Barracks in Kenhorst and stated that someone was in the Pottsville Hospital, dying of cancer & they wanted to clear their conscience in regards to the Matthew Sullivan death. These people were to have been from the Utica New York area.
Someone Knows The Truth and Has Kept Silent All These Years.
New York has more ties to this case. 35 years ago, at Matt's funeral, his mother requested that no one be allowed to see Matthew's body
until she came. Upon arriving the funeral home, the director told Matthew's mother Mrs. Sullivan that a couple from NY had come in before the viewing. They said they had to get back to NY and couldn't stay, the funeral director turned them away.
The Utica Phoenix Newspaper
Report dated 3/19/2009
Family Seeks Closure to Teen's 1972 Death
"I always just felt like his life didn't matter, he was a piece of trash found on the highway. You know, it was like he didn't matter. He does matter, he's a human being."
What happened to Matthew? Time has not healed this families pain. Matthew has seven siblings who still want and need answers.. They have been placing ads in the NY newspapers for information concerning their brother. If you have any information that can help them with their questions, please contact us at tips@yearsoftears.org
April 20, 2008 Edition
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Do you know what happened to Matthew? His family needs the truth to be told. If you know anything, please call or write to Berks Crime Alert. You do not have to give your name. Please Help!
38 Years is a long time. It hasn't erased the pain. If you remember anything about Matt's case Please speak out! The truth is a priceless gift! You can write to us here tips@yearsoftears.org We don't want your name, Just your information!
