Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP57556) and 5 other sources
On a December day in 2010, 50-year-old Michael Van Gist told his live-in girlfriend in Collinsville, Illinois, that he would be back in five minutes. He then left their home and has not been seen or heard from since. It is unclear what day this occurred, as his girlfriend did not report him missing for three weeks. At the time of his disappearance, Gist was wearing a black skull cap, a black jacket, and jeans. He is described as a Black male with black hair worn in dreadlocks and brown eyes. He stood between 5'8' and 5'11' tall and weighed between 170 and 180 pounds. Distinguishing marks include a scar on his abdomen and another scar above either his left or right eye.

The circumstances surrounding Michael Gist's disappearance remain a mystery. His abrupt departure without any further contact is a central and troubling aspect of his case. The three-week delay in reporting him missing has added to the complexity of the investigation, which is being handled by the Collinsville Police Department. The lack of information about his state of mind or any potential reasons for him to leave has left his loved ones and investigators with many unanswered questions.

Years have passed since Michael Van Gist was last seen, and his case has grown cold. Despite the passage of time, the search for answers continues. His case is listed in national databases for missing persons, a constant, silent plea for information. The overview of this case is one of sudden absence and enduring uncertainty. A man walks out his door for what he says will be a brief moment, and vanishes, leaving behind a life and a void of information that has yet to be filled. The investigation remains open, a testament to the hope that one day, information will surface that can finally explain what happened to Michael Van Gist.

Last Seen: Dec 15, 2010

Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

79%Possible
John Doe — St. Louis, Missouri
UP16964 • Found Jul 2, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 54–64 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 99%12 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 84%6'1" vs 5'8"–5'11"
77%Possible
John Doe — East St. Louis, Illinois - unidentified case UP59122
John Doe — East St. Louis, Illinois
UP59122 • Found Jul 12, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 55–75 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 5'8"–5'11"
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
76%Possible
John Doe — Washington Park, Illinois
UP71367 • Found Jun 4, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 55–75 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 84%5'0"–5'6" vs 5'8"–5'11"
76%Possible
John Doe — St. Louis, Missouri - unidentified case UP70471
John Doe — St. Louis, Missouri
UP70471 • Found Jun 1, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 36–50 vs 50 when missing
Location 99%15 mi away
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10"–6'0" vs 5'8"–5'11"
Weight 100%182 lb vs 170–180 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.