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Gary Small Missing Person Case

Last seen in Vinalhaven, Maine on Apr 17, 1986

Victim Details

May 21, 2018

Oct 12, 2023

Gary

Small

66

26

66 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Apr 17, 1986

Vinalhaven

Maine

Knox County

37264

Maine Marine Patrol - Augusta Headquarters

Augusta

Maine

Kennebec County

04333

21 State House Station, Maine

2076339595

State

Law Enforcement

SH86-006 [OLD] 18MP00043 [NEW]

Maine Marine Patrol - Augusta Headquarters

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP50193) and 6 other sources
Gary Small, a 26-year-old man from Vinalhaven, Maine, was last seen on April 17, 1986. His sudden disappearance has puzzled his family, friends, and local authorities, as no clear leads have surfaced in the decades since he was last seen. Gary was described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 175 pounds. His vanishing was out of character, and those close to him were deeply concerned, especially as Vinalhaven, a small island community, offered limited places to disappear without a trace.

The circumstances surrounding Gary’s disappearance remain mysterious. He was last seen on Vinalhaven Island, but little is known about what transpired that day. Despite searches and investigations by local authorities, no significant clues or evidence were found to determine what may have happened to him. With no signs of foul play or accidents immediately apparent, the case grew cold, leaving investigators and his family without answers.

As the years passed, Gary Small’s case remains unsolved, with no new developments to provide clarity on his fate. Law enforcement continues to keep the case open, encouraging anyone with information to come forward. His disappearance has left his family in a state of prolonged uncertainty, as they continue to seek closure in a case that has haunted the Vinalhaven community for decades. The lack of leads underscores the challenges in investigating missing persons cases, particularly on remote islands, where searches can be difficult and evidence hard to come by. Despite the passage of time, the hope for answers endures.
Last Seen: Apr 17, 1986

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • 6296DMME - Gary Raymond Small - Doe Network
  • Gary Small - The Lincoln County News
  • Gary Small Obituary (2006) - Augusta, ME - Central Maine
  • Obituaries | PenBay Pilot
  • Stephen Small Service Details - Camden, Maine | Long Funeral Home

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

    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.

    78%Possible
    John Doe — Smithfield, Rhode Island - unidentified case UP12497
    John Doe — Smithfield, Rhode Island
    UP12497 • Found Jun 18, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 55%201 mi away
    TimingFound 14 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
    Weight 83%122 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP9079
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
    UP9079 • Found Aug 2, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 40%351 mi away
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%140 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    It's been over three decades since Gary Small vanished from Vinalhaven, and one aspect that has... ...Read More
    05/08/2023

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