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Joseph Riley Missing Person Case

Last seen in Barstow, California on May 1, 1995

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Victim Details

Oct 11, 2019

Jul 25, 2023

Joseph

Riley

60

29

69 inches

185 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

May 1, 1995

Barstow

California

San Bernardino County

No

64797

Barstow Police Department

Barstow

California

San Bernardino County

92311

220 E Mountain View St., California

7602563531

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.barstowca.org/city-hall/city-departments/police/police

95-4753

Barstow Police Department

na

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP60825) and 8 other sources
Joseph Gerald Riley, a 29-year-old man, went missing on May 1, 1995, in Barstow, California. Riley was last seen with another man, Mark Wayne Adamson, at a Wal-Mart parking lot. The two men were reportedly getting into a maroon sedan, intending to purchase a vehicle. Adamson was believed to be carrying a large amount of cash at the time. Neither Riley nor Adamson has been seen or heard from since that day.

Investigations into their disappearances revealed potential foul play linked to a drug deal involving ephedrine, a precursor chemical for methamphetamine production. Authorities believe that Riley and Adamson may have been victims of a robbery and murder during the transaction. In 2012, multiple suspects, including Christian Leonard Bunty Sr. and James Linzy Franklin, were charged in connection to their murders. However, despite these charges, Riley's body has never been found, and the case remains unresolved.

Despite some legal developments, including a conviction for Franklin in 2015, the exact whereabouts of Riley and Adamson are still unknown, and authorities suspect their remains may be buried in the Mojave Desert. The case remains open, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact local law enforcement.
Last Seen: May 1, 1995

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • 1610DMCA - Joseph Gerald Riley - Doe Network
  • Joseph Gerald Riley - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP60825 - Office of Justice Programs
  • Barstow disappearances still a mystery 16 years later
  • Man convicted of '95 murders of 2 Barstow men
  • Local businessman held on California murder charges
  • Barstow Police Department - Joseph Gerald Riley Missing persons ...
  • Joseph

    • 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.

    80%Moderate
    John Doe — South El Monte, California
    UP3396 • Found May 7, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–43 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 80%83 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
    Weight 77%145 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Corona, California
    UP7039 • Found Nov 1, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 29
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%77 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Salton City, California
    UP15289 • Found Jul 26, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 70%126 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%170 lb vs 185 lb
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Rancho Cucamonga, California - unidentified case UP2525
    John Doe — Rancho Cucamonga, California
    UP2525 • Found Aug 16, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%64 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 16 months after last seen
    Height 68%5'6" vs 5'9"
    Weight 81%149 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP55211
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP55211 • Found Jan 16, 2019
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%88 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%198 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Commerce, California - unidentified case UP13339
    John Doe — Commerce, California
    UP13339 • Found Jul 7, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 78%90 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 96%163 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Winterhaven, California - unidentified case UP15292
    John Doe — Winterhaven, California
    UP15292 • Found May 31, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 55%202 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 93%160 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP57048 • Found Oct 23, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–35 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 66%147 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'9"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Calexico, California
    UP15316 • Found Jun 10, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%Same state
    TimingFound 13 months after last seen
    Height 68%5'6" vs 5'9"
    Weight 93%160 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP3051 • Found Dec 3, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 39–49 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 74%104 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–5'11" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%180–210 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown

    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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Joseph Gerald Riley was 29 when he disappeared from Barstow, California, on May 1, 1995. He was last... ...Read More
    05/14/2023

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