Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 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 (MP60324) and 2 other sources
Charles Thomas Denny, aged 35, was last seen on September 30, 1981, in Salton City, California. According to his roommate, Denny ventured into the desert near Harper's Well, off Highway 78, to search for treasure. He was never heard from again. His vehicle was later found abandoned in the remote desert area, but no sign of Denny himself has ever been discovered.

Denny was described as being 5'8" tall, weighing around 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing square-shaped, gold wire-framed glasses. Although extensive searches were conducted in the desert area, no further evidence surfaced to explain his disappearance. Given the harsh desert environment and the mystery surrounding his intended activities, foul play or an accident has been suspected, but no definitive conclusions have been reached.

Despite the passage of time, Denny’s case remains unsolved. Authorities continue to investigate and welcome any new leads that could provide answers to his whereabouts.

Last Seen: Sep 30, 1981

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — Twenty-Nine Palms, California
UP2588 • Found Oct 18, 1981
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 35
Race 100%White
Location 87%58 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 97%167 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Thousand Palms, California
UP7070 • Found May 26, 1991
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%44 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Seeley, California
UP15364 • Found Aug 13, 1991
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%38 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
80%Moderate
John Doe — Borrego Springs, California
UP61567 • Found Oct 26, 1985
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 35%94 lb vs 150 lb
80%Moderate
John Doe — Blythe, California
UP7135 • Found May 30, 1983
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 80%82 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 months after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Ocotillo, California
UP13535 • Found Sep 4, 2001
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%39 mi away, same county
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Salton City, California
UP15289 • Found Jul 26, 1997
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
Weight 93%170 lb vs 150 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15359 • Found Mar 13, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 93%170 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15548 • Found Apr 16, 1988
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15557 • Found Dec 26, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue

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.