John P. Wheeler III was a decorated war veteran who served three Presidents. Police want to know how and why the Delaware man's body ended up in a Wilmington landfill on New Year's Eve.
"The last information we were able to determine is that he scheduled to take a train from Washington, D.C. to Wilmington," said Newark Police Lt. Mark Farrall.
Wheeler, who went by the name "Jack," was a U.S. Army Captain who graduated from West Point, lived in New Castle and was one of the driving forces behind the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington.
The 66-year-old Vietnam vet commuted to D.C., where he worked as an adviser to the Department of Defense.
"We are aware of his background and of course that is one facet of the investigation that investigators are looking into, however at this point, we just don't have any answers," said Farrall.
Wheeler's death was ruled a homicide, but investigators wouldn't talk about how he died or the personal belongings they found with his body. And police weren't sure where he was killed.
"At this point, we do not know the actual location of the crime scene," said Farrall.
Wheelers body was discovered by someone unloading a trash truck at the Cherry Island Landfill on E. 12th Street. Based on the autopsy, police said they believe his body wasn't in the trash bin for a long time. They also believe he was dumped in one of about ten dumpsters in the city.
He was last seen in the area of 10th and Orange Streets in Wilmington around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30.
Wheeler was a decorated veteran who served in Vietnam. He also served as the Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force in Washington, D.C. from 2005-2008, according to police. He was a graduate of Harvard and Yale Universities.
Bayard Marin, Wheeler's lawyer, described him as a good man.
"He was a brilliant man. Not someone who ends up in a dumpster," Marin said.
And the veteran's grieving family asked for privacy Monday night:
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“As you must appreciate, this is a tragic time for the family. We are grieving our loss. Please understand that the family has no further comment at this time. We trust that everyone will respect the family’s privacy.”
The Newark Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding Wheeler's whereabouts after 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 30 to contact Detective Nicholas Sansome at 302-366-7110 ext. 135.
You can also provide information anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 where a reward may be available.
Wheeler leaves behind a wife and children, according to police.
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