The Unsolved Murder of 13-Year-Old Albert D. Barnhart Jr.: A Tragic Mystery from Kingston

A Heartbreaking Loss

On December 6, 1987, Albert D. Barnhart Jr., a 13-year-old boy from Kingston, NY, tragically lost his life under mysterious and disturbing circumstances. Known locally as the "40 Bumps Case" after the wooded area in Port Ewen where local teens often gathered, the murder of Albert remains unsolved to this day.

A Shocking and Disturbing Death

The story surrounding Albert’s death is chilling. According to the teenagers who were with him that night, Albert allegedly fell asleep next to a campfire while intoxicated. The teenagers claimed that they were all awakened when their clothes caught on fire, and in a panic, they ran in different directions to extinguish the flames. They later asserted that they never saw Albert again, assuming he had run home. However, Albert never made it home.

Weeks later, Albert’s badly burned body was discovered, roughly 300 feet from the site of the campfire. It was revealed that over 90% of his body had been severely burned, leading many to question the teenagers’ story.

The Lack of Charges

Despite the troubling details and the inconsistencies in the teenagers' accounts, no one was ever charged in Albert's death. Local authorities, including the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s office, doubted the teenagers’ version of events, but no solid leads have emerged in the case.

A Call for Justice

Now, 37 years later, Albert’s family is still searching for answers. His mother, along with other family members, is asking for anyone with information to come forward and help solve this case.

If you have any information about Albert’s death, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, please contact the Ulster County Sheriff's Department at (845) 338-3640. Tips can be given anonymously, and any new information could finally bring justice to Albert and his grieving family.