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John Lysen Missing Person Case

Last seen in Portland, Oregon on Aug 15, 2016

Victim Details

Oct 10, 2018

Jan 4, 2024

John

Lysen

37

27

68 inches

143 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Aug 15, 2016

Portland

Oregon

Multnomah County

No

41287

Portland Police Bureau

Portland

Oregon

Multnomah County

97204

Heidi Helwig

Detective

1111 Southwest 2nd Avenue, Oregon

5038230400

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/549803

16-276311

Portland Police Bureau

10243

Brown

Green

Green

Oct 10, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP52736) and 2 other sources
In the summer of 2016, a 27-year-old man named John Jeremy Lysen vanished from his life in Portland, Oregon. On August 15, 2016, he had what would be his last known contact with his family. At the time of his disappearance, John was described as a white male, standing 5'8' and weighing around 143 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. After that final communication, a silence began, and his whereabouts became an enduring mystery for his loved ones.

Following his disappearance, a missing persons report was filed with the Portland Police Bureau, under agency case number 16-276311. His case was also entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System as #MP52736. Distinctive features noted in his file include a large tattoo on his chest and left upper arm. Despite these official records, public information regarding the investigation into what happened to John has been limited. The case has not received significant media attention, which can be a crucial element in generating new leads in missing persons investigations.

Years have passed since John Lysen was last seen or heard from, and there have been no significant breakthroughs in his case. The Portland Police Bureau continues to list him as a missing person, and his profile remains active in national databases. The lack of new information underscores the profound challenges faced by investigators and families when leads grow cold. The disappearance of John Lysen is an unsolved case that leaves a family without answers and a community with a lingering sense of unease, highlighting the painful ambiguity that surrounds so many missing persons investigations.
Last Seen: Aug 15, 2016

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP52736
  • Oregon State Police : Missing Persons

    • 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 — Fairview, Oregon - unidentified case UP118580
    John Doe — Fairview, Oregon
    UP118580 • Found Mar 19, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 27 when missing
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–6'0" vs 5'8"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Yacolt, Washington
    UP142924 • Found Sep 6, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 27 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%27 mi away
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    75%Possible
    Unidentified Person — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP157516
    Unidentified Person — Portland, Oregon
    UP157516 • Found Mar 1, 2026
    View case
    Age 85%Est. 19–35 vs 27 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%7 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3"–5'7" vs 5'8"
    Hair 50%Blond 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.

    Latest News

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Does anyone have any insight into the resources available for missing adult cases like John's in... ...Read More
    10/20/2024
    I recently came across John's case while browsing through NamUs, and it really got me thinking about... ...Read More
    03/24/2024
    Did anyone else notice there's been very little media coverage on John Lysen's case? It's like he... ...Read More
    11/17/2023

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