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 (MP55059) and 3 other sources
In the autumn of 1985, a young couple, 24-year-old Roy Lee Merrick and his 20-year-old wife, Constance 'Connie' Merrick, vanished from the Port Orchard area of Kitsap County, Washington. On October 21, they reportedly left their home with the simple intention of going fishing at a pond nearby. It was a day like any other, yet it would be the last time anyone would ever see or hear from them. The couple was living in a camper trailer, and in their absence, all of their personal belongings were discovered left behind. This detail paints a haunting picture of a day that began with ordinary plans but ended in an enduring mystery. The fact that they left everything behind suggests they had every intention of returning.

Concern grew as days turned into weeks with no sign of Roy and Connie. The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office was notified and opened an investigation on November 5, 1985. Investigators were faced with a baffling scenario: a young man and woman had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a life seemingly interrupted. Their camper, filled with their possessions, stood as a silent testament to their sudden departure. There were no signs of a struggle, no notes left behind, and no apparent reason for them to abandon their lives. The investigation explored various possibilities, but the trail went cold, leaving family, friends, and law enforcement with more questions than answers.

The disappearance of Roy and Connie Merrick has now remained unsolved for decades, a persistent and sorrowful case in the annals of Washington's missing persons. They were last seen in an area that was on tribal land, adding another layer to the jurisdictional complexities of the investigation. Over the years, their case has been entered into national databases for missing persons, with DNA samples from relatives submitted in the hope that a future discovery might bring a resolution. The overall picture of the case is one of profound and sudden loss. A couple sets out for a routine, recreational activity, and simply ceases to exist to the outside world. Their story is a stark reminder of how quickly a life can change, leaving a void of information and a lifetime of questions for those left waiting.

Last Seen: Oct 21, 1985

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 — Seattle, Washington - unidentified case UP67767
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP67767 • Found Sep 6, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%13 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Washington - unidentified case UP5697
John Doe — Washington
UP5697 • Found Mar 18, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–24 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%38 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 52%5'10" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Issaquah, Washington - unidentified case UP8582
John Doe — Issaquah, Washington
UP8582 • Found Jan 15, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'6"
78%Possible
John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP11873
John Doe — Portland, Oregon
UP11873 • Found May 3, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–30 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 67%140 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 83%130 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP11907
John Doe — Portland, Oregon
UP11907 • Found Aug 25, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 67%140 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP11906
John Doe — Portland, Oregon
UP11906 • Found Jul 28, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 67%140 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP87994 • Found Jun 14, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 21–44 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%13 mi away, same state
TimingFound 36 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 160 lb
76%Possible
John Doe — Tacoma, Washington
UP125722 • Found May 27, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Race 100%White
Location 97%23 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%147 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Cle Elum, Washington - unidentified case UP80608
John Doe — Cle Elum, Washington
UP80608 • Found Aug 29, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 88%Est. 16–23 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 81%80 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
75%Possible
John Doe — Mount Rainier, Washington
UP5704 • Found Sep 26, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 24 when missing
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 83%130 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Black 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.