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Vernon Nash Jr Missing Person Case

Last seen in St. Petersburg, Florida on Jan 26, 1985

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Victim Details

Jul 26, 2019

Feb 21, 2024

Vernon

Nash Jr

77

36

72 inches

74 inches

165 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 26, 1985

St. Petersburg

Florida

Pinellas County

No

57541

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Largo

Florida

Pinellas County

33778

Christopher Lyons

Deputy

10750 Ulmerton Rd, Florida

County

Law Enforcement

SPB85-2598

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

9819

Blond/Strawberry

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 7, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP59021) and 3 other sources
Vernon Kenneth Nash Jr., a 36-year-old man, was last seen on January 26, 1985, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He and a friend, Jess Willard Gilbert, set out on a 24-foot fishing vessel for a shark fishing trip. They were expected to return by January 29 but never made it back, and the boat was never located.

The circumstances surrounding their disappearance are concerning. Nash and Gilbert are both presumed lost at sea, but there have been no concrete leads or discoveries related to their case. Eyewitness accounts and the lack of any distress signals or sightings add to the mystery of their disappearance.

Nash is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing between 165 pounds, with blond hair and hazel eyes. He has distinguishing marks, including tattoos on both forearms and a scar on his right arm. The investigation into their disappearance remains open, and authorities encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Last Seen: Jan 26, 1985

Links to Additional Sources (3)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Vernon Kenneth Nash Jr. - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Doe Network Located Missing Persons

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (7)

    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.

    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP195
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP195 • Found May 29, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 36 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
    Weight 59%117 lb vs 165 lb
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP203 • Found Nov 25, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 36 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 22 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"–6'2"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Kissimmee, Florida - unidentified case UP581
    John Doe — Kissimmee, Florida
    UP581 • Found Sep 22, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 36 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 80%83 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Pinellas County, Florida - unidentified case UP1200
    John Doe — Pinellas County, Florida
    UP1200 • Found Oct 29, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 60%Est. 30–60 vs 36 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'3" vs 6'0"–6'2"
    Weight 78%200 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Blond
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Davenport, Florida
    UP9464 • Found Dec 28, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–65 vs 36 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 84%69 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"–6'2"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — North Port, Florida
    UP60596 • Found Jan 1, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 36 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%52 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"–6'2"
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP1229
    John Doe — Florida
    UP1229 • Found Apr 30, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 88%Est. 21–35 vs 36 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 67%139 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 months after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"–6'2"
    Weight 100%170 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel

    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)

    Vernon Kenneth Nash Jr., 36, was last seen on January 26, 1985 in St. Petersburg, Florida. He and a... ...Read More
    11/13/2024

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