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Francis Travis Missing Person Case

Last seen in Sanford, Maine on Dec 5, 1947

Victim Details

Jan 31, 2019

Oct 12, 2023

Francis

Travis

126

48

68 inches

156 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Dec 5, 1947

Sanford

Maine

York County

No

47020

Sanford Police Department

Sanford

Maine

York County

04073

935 Main Street, Maine

2073243644

Local

Law Enforcement

47-1205

Dec 5, 1947

Sanford Police Department

Blond/Strawberry

Gray

Gray

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP55124) and 7 other sources
Francis Travis, a 48-year-old man from Sanford, Maine, was last seen on December 5, 1947. His disappearance has remained a mystery for decades, leaving his family and local authorities without answers. Francis was described as a white male, and at the time of his disappearance, there were no indications that he intended to leave without informing anyone. His sudden vanishing was unexpected, and his family expressed concern over his unexplained absence.

The circumstances of Francis' disappearance are largely unknown, with little information available about his activities leading up to the day he was last seen. He was reportedly last spotted in Sanford, but no concrete leads or significant clues emerged during the early investigation. Despite efforts by local law enforcement to locate him, the search yielded no results, and the case grew cold over the years. His disappearance left his family in a state of uncertainty, with no clear explanation of what may have happened.

As the decades have passed, Francis Travis' case remains unsolved, and no new developments have surfaced. His disappearance reflects the difficulties often faced in missing person investigations, particularly in an era when forensic and investigative tools were more limited. The lack of evidence and leads has made it challenging for law enforcement to make progress. Despite the passage of time, his family and those involved in the search continue to hope for answers, holding out hope that one day, more information will come to light, bringing closure to a case that has puzzled the Sanford community for decades.
Last Seen: Dec 5, 1947

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • 5891DMME - Francis Law Travis - Doe Network
  • The Missing List — Locations Unknown
  • U.S. Missing Persons - Doe Network
  • Casualties: US Navy and Marine Corps Personnel Killed and Injured ...
  • Francis Law Travis Missing from: Sanford, Maine Last seen - Facebook
  • ME - Francis Travis, 48, Sanford, 5 Dec 1947 | Websleuths
  • Francis Law Travis (1899-1947) - Memorials

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

    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 — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15425
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15425 • Found Mar 2, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 48 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%76 mi away
    TimingFound 34 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 156 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Ashburnham, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15950
    John Doe — Ashburnham, Massachusetts
    UP15950 • Found Mar 2, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 83 vs 48 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%80 mi away
    TimingFound 58 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 156 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP11551
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts
    UP11551 • Found Jul 3, 2013
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 75 vs 48 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 83%72 mi away
    TimingFound 66 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%163 lb vs 156 lb
    Hair 70%Gray 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.

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    Forum Posts (2)

    I recently stumbled upon an old property record from Sanford around the time Francis Travis went... ...Read More
    07/30/2024
    Has anyone here looked into the local legends or folklore around Sanford from the late '40s? There... ...Read More
    01/11/2024

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