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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 (MP120565) and 3 other sources
In the autumn of 1997, a young man named Fredell Robinson Smith vanished from the community of Harvey, Illinois, leaving behind a profound and lingering mystery. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as being a Black / African American male with black hair and brown eyes. Standing between six feet and six feet two inches tall, he had a slender build, weighing approximately 140 pounds. The circumstances surrounding the day he was last seen are sparse, with official records only indicating that his last known contact was on October 8, 1997. The lack of detailed public information regarding his activities on that day, the clothes he was wearing, or any potential state of mind has made the investigation into his disappearance exceptionally challenging for law enforcement and his loved ones.

The passage of time has not brought clarity to the circumstances of Fredell's disappearance. For years, his case has remained open, a silent testament to a life interrupted. Information regarding what may have led to him going missing has not been released to the public, and there are no available details pointing to any specific reason for his disappearance. The Harvey Police Department has been the primary agency investigating his case from the beginning. Despite their efforts, the trail grew cold, and the initial lack of significant leads has been a persistent obstacle. The absence of witnesses and the limited forensic technology of the era contributed to the difficulties in piecing together the events of that day.

Decades have now passed since Fredell Robinson Smith was last seen. His case remains an active missing person investigation, a painful and unresolved chapter for his family and community. Without new information or evidence, the narrative of his disappearance is one of abrupt and unexplained absence. The overview of his case is a somber one, marked by a frustrating lack of details and the enduring pain of not knowing. The hope for answers diminishes with each passing year, yet the search for Fredell, in the hearts of those who remember him and in the files of law enforcement, continues. His story serves as a sorrowful reminder of the many faces of the missing and the enduring impact these unresolved cases have on communities.

Last Seen: Oct 8, 1997

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129335 • Found Aug 14, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 95%28 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 68%176 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP8590
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP8590 • Found Jun 7, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 96%Est. 27–40 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 98%18 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 84%165 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP143615 • Found Feb 20, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%10 mi away, same county
TimingFound 27 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Lemont, Illinois
UP8488 • Found Jan 27, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 98%18 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 20%200 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Gary, Indiana - unidentified case UP13482
John Doe — Gary, Indiana
UP13482 • Found Jan 22, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–29 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 98%16 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 36%5'7" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Bolingbrook, Illinois - unidentified case UP5207
John Doe — Bolingbrook, Illinois
UP5207 • Found Apr 22, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–24 vs 20
Location 97%22 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'11" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
79%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP139136 • Found Jul 27, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 98%Est. 30–40 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 52%5'8" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 100%135–150 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP60200 • Found Aug 15, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%10 mi away, same county
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
77%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129127 • Found Mar 3, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 99%12 mi away, same county
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 93%121 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
76%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP13761
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP13761 • Found Feb 27, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 98%18 mi away, same county
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"–6'2"
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.