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298 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 (MP51697) and 8 other sources
In the late summer of 2016, a family crisis preceded the perplexing disappearance of 45-year-old James Daren Treadwell. On September 9th, while at a relative's home in the rural outskirts of Natchitoches, Louisiana, James became distraught over the news of a family member's illness. Overwhelmed with emotion, he fled into the dense woods surrounding the property located in the 5000 block of Louisiana Highway 117. At the time he vanished, he was described as a Caucasian male, standing between 5'9" and 5'10" and weighing between 160 and 180 pounds. He had black hair and green eyes. Accounts of his clothing vary slightly; he was wearing either a black and green t-shirt with blue jeans and white tennis shoes, or possibly just blue jeans without a shirt. A noticeable scar on his right forearm served as a distinct identifying feature.

The initial search efforts by family and local authorities proved fruitless as the vast and unforgiving terrain of the Louisiana woodlands yielded no clues to James's whereabouts. Days turned into weeks, and then into years, with no sign of the missing man. The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office has maintained an open investigation, but the case has been marked by a significant lack of leads or new information. His family and friends were left with an agonizing uncertainty, clinging to the hope that he might one day be found. The circumstances surrounding his sudden departure into the woods have left many questions unanswered, fueling a quiet desperation for any information that might bring closure.

The case of James Daren Treadwell is a poignant example of how quickly a person can vanish, leaving behind a void of information and a grieving family. Despite the passage of time, the investigation remains open, a silent testament to a life interrupted. The official narrative of his disappearance is sparse, stating simply that he was last seen running into the woods and has not been heard from since. This lack of detail has made it incredibly difficult for investigators to piece together a clear picture of what might have happened to him after he entered the tree line on that distressing September day. The overview of the case is one of sudden emotional turmoil leading to an inexplicable disappearance, a scenario that has left a community and a family grappling with a profound and lingering loss.

Last Seen: Sep 9, 2016

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

75%Possible
John Doe — Dallas, Texas
UP76467 • Found Aug 26, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 36–48 vs 45 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 52%228 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"–5'10"
Weight 100%159 lb vs 155–180 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 70%Hazel vs Green

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.