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298 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 (MP59723) and 4 other sources
Robert Beach, a 36-year-old male, was reported missing on May 22, 1998, from Half Moon Bay, California. Beach's disappearance has remained a mystery for over two decades, with the circumstances surrounding his case pointing to the possibility of an accident. Reports suggest that he may have been involved in a downed aircraft incident along the coast near Half Moon Bay. However, despite investigations, no conclusive evidence has been found to clarify the exact details of his disappearance. Beach’s case has drawn attention in part because of its connection to the challenging geography of the region, known for its rugged coastal cliffs and ocean currents, which have been implicated in other missing person cases.

At the time of his disappearance, Beach was described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing around 160 pounds, with brown hair. Although searches were conducted after his last known whereabouts, no remains or personal effects were recovered that could definitively link him to a particular site, further complicating the investigation. As with many cold cases, authorities and local communities continue to hope for new leads or developments. Information from databases like NamUs and the California Department of Justice Missing Persons registry continues to keep the case open in the hope that it may eventually be resolved.

Over the years, Beach’s case has garnered some attention from cold case enthusiasts and true crime communities, who speculate about the circumstances of his disappearance. Given the coastal environment, some suspect that if Beach’s plane did indeed crash into the ocean, strong tides or other natural factors could have made recovery efforts especially difficult. Despite the passage of time, his case is still listed in missing person databases, highlighting the ongoing search for answers.

Last Seen: May 22, 1998

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

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.

85%Strong
John Doe — Tiburon, California
UP7084 • Found Aug 20, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 83%130 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Turlock, California
UP50957 • Found Jul 11, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%87 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%130–180 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146037
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP146037 • Found Oct 10, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%18 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'6"
Weight 79%127 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146018
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP146018 • Found Jan 18, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%20 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 88%186 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP91361 • Found Feb 5, 2022
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Sex ✓Male
Age 98%Est. 60–70 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%22 mi away, same state
TimingFound 24 years after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 5'6"
Weight 81%191 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Milpitas, California
UP72156 • Found Jun 14, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 5'6"
77%Possible
John Doe — Millbrae, California - unidentified case UP16409
John Doe — Millbrae, California
UP16409 • Found Feb 23, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 74%Est. 60–80 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 70%120 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Vallejo, California
UP17598 • Found Sep 2, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 88%Est. 25–35 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%45 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Richmond, California - unidentified case UP12859
John Doe — Richmond, California
UP12859 • Found Dec 24, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 98%142 lb vs 160 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Millbrae, California
UP9682 • Found Dec 25, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 33–42 vs 36 when missing
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"

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.