MOSCOW, ID — Moscow police say they continue to investigate the 1999 disappearance of University of Idaho theater student Wil Hendrick as an unsolved homicide. Hendrick vanished in January of that year, and partial remains later found in rural Latah County were confirmed to be his.
Capt. Dustin Blaker said investigators have found nothing to suggest Hendrick simply wandered off or died in an accident. Police now say the case remains a murder investigation, even after more than 27 years.
How the Case Began
Hendrick had returned to campus after the holiday break and was heading into his final semester when he disappeared. Family members said the 25-year-old was thriving, talented in singing and dancing, and excited about his future at the university.
According to relatives, he loved the school and had chosen Moscow for good reason. Becky McMahan said he was a caring person who liked being around people and performing in front of an audience.
Last Known Movements
Police say Hendrick spent his final night with fellow students at a party, even though he initially planned to stay home with his long-term partner. When he did not return, friends and his partner began searching for him.
Investigators later found his vehicle parked downtown with the driver’s seat pushed back. Police photos and past interviews also pointed to unusual details inside the car and at the residence where he was last known to be, but none of those clues produced an answer.
Discovery In Rural Latah
Years later, hunters found remains outside Bovill in rural Latah County, and investigators confirmed the remains belonged to Hendrick. That discovery shifted the case from a missing person investigation to a suspected homicide.
Hendrick’s family said they never believed he had left voluntarily. McMahan said they had heard claims that he may have walked away under pressure, but she rejected that idea outright.
Police Still Seek Answers
McMahan said the family would like both closure and justice, but she worries they may never get either one. She also said she would like to thank the hunters who found the remains and hopes they may one day identify themselves.
Police say advances in forensic technology could still help them make progress using evidence gathered long ago. Anyone with information about what happened to Wil Hendrick in January 1999 is asked to call Moscow Police at (208) 883-7054.
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