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

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP56256) and 2 other sources
In the early summer of 1997, a young man's journey far from home took an unexpected and distressing turn, leading to a mystery that has endured for decades. On June 2, 1997, Lawrence Reiss, a 26-year-old male, was last seen in Tucson, Arizona. At the time of his disappearance, Lawrence stood between six feet and six feet one inch tall, with a slender build of around 170 to 180 pounds. He had blond or strawberry blond hair, blue eyes, and a distinctively broken front tooth. His sudden presence in Arizona was itself a deviation from his normal life, as he had traveled unexpectedly to the state from his home in Florida, a trip that would tragically precede his vanishing.

The circumstances that led to the last known sighting of Lawrence are marked by confusion and apparent conflict. He had reportedly been staying in downtown Tucson at a Holiday Inn with a friend. However, their time together seems to have soured, as an argument erupted between them on that fateful day. The dispute escalated to the point where Lawrence's friend reportedly forced him out of his car near the intersection of Interstate 10 and East Irvington Road. This act of abandonment in an unfamiliar city was the last confirmed interaction anyone had with Lawrence Reiss. From that moment forward, a wall of silence fell, and all communication with his family and friends ceased.

In the years that have followed, the search for answers regarding Lawrence's whereabouts has continued, led by the Tucson Police Department. The lack of any credible sightings or contact has left his loved ones in a perpetual state of uncertainty. The overview of the case paints a sorrowful picture: a young man, far from the familiarity of his home, is left stranded after a dispute with a companion and subsequently disappears without a trace. The abrupt nature of his departure from Florida, combined with the troubling final encounter in Tucson, creates a narrative filled with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss for those who continue to await any news of his fate.

Last Seen: Jun 2, 1997

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

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.

76%Possible
John Doe — Nogales, Arizona - unidentified case UP7240
John Doe — Nogales, Arizona
UP7240 • Found Jul 17, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"–6'1"
75%Possible
John Doe — Mammoth vicinity, Arizona
UP6619 • Found Feb 18, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 23–35 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%44 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"–6'1"
75%Possible
John Doe — Laveen, Arizona - unidentified case UP2028
John Doe — Laveen, Arizona
UP2028 • Found Nov 23, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 73%109 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Weight 100%196 lb vs 170–180 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
75%Possible
John Doe — Eloy, Arizona - unidentified case UP6332
John Doe — Eloy, Arizona
UP6332 • Found Sep 19, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 71%Est. 35–55 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%54 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Hair 100%Blond vs Blond

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.