Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP50857) and 2 other sources
In the spring of 2004, a then 37-year-old man named Arnold Austin vanished from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was last seen on May 31, 2004, leaving behind a life and a family who would spend years searching for answers. At the time of his disappearance, Arnold was described as a Black / African American male, standing somewhere between 5'0' and 5'4' and weighing between 140 and 145 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes. The circumstances surrounding his last known moments are scarce, with official sources only stating that he was last seen on that particular day. The lack of specific details about his clothing, accessories, or any potential mode of transportation has made the investigation into his disappearance incredibly challenging from the very beginning.

The official report of his disappearance was not filed with the Philadelphia Police Department until August 13, 2004, more than two months after he was last seen. This delay could have potentially hampered the initial investigation, as the trail for any immediate leads or witnesses may have grown cold. The case was eventually entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System on July 2, 2018, many years after he vanished, under case number MP50857. The creation of this public file aimed to generate new leads and bring wider attention to a case that had long been without resolution.

The investigation into Arnold Austin's disappearance has remained open, handled by the Philadelphia Police Department. Despite the passage of time, the search for answers continues, fueled by the hope that someone, somewhere, may hold a piece of information that could finally bring clarity to his family. The case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who disappear each year, leaving behind grieving loved ones and a void of unanswered questions. The overview of Arnold Austin's case highlights the painful ambiguity that families of the missing endure, living in a constant state of uncertainty while clinging to the hope of a resolution.

Last Seen: May 31, 2004

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 — New York - unidentified case UP5636
John Doe — New York
UP5636 • Found Oct 21, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 80%81 mi away
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'0"–5'4"
Weight 100%139 lb vs 140–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Yonkers, New York
UP16260 • Found Mar 24, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 99%Est. 38–52 vs 37
Race 100%Black
Location 77%92 mi away
TimingFound 10 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'0"–5'4"
Weight 100%138 lb vs 140–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP12401
John Doe — New York, New York
UP12401 • Found Jul 1, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 82%76 mi away
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'0"–5'4"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 140–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP84693
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP84693 • Found Aug 29, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 79%86 mi away
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'0"–5'4"
Weight 100%135–150 lb vs 140–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
78%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP6207 • Found Aug 31, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0" vs 5'0"–5'4"
78%Possible
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5533
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5533 • Found Jan 24, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 81%77 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'0"–5'4"
Weight 100%139 lb vs 140–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5624
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5624 • Found Jun 24, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 81%77 mi away
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'0"–5'4"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 140–145 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP100931
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP100931 • Found Feb 23, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 83%72 mi away
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'0"–5'4"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 140–145 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP91564
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP91564 • Found May 6, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 81%78 mi away
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'0"–5'4"
Weight 100%139 lb vs 140–145 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP155373 • Found Feb 9, 2026
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 36%5'9" vs 5'0"–5'4"
Weight 100%141 lb vs 140–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown 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.