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Crime Solvers Central
302 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 (MP51159) and 7 other sources
Rogest Cain, a 61-year-old man, went missing on February 18, 1986, from Los Angeles, California. Cain had told his sister that he was going to a local hardware store that afternoon, but he never returned. The following day, Cain called a neighbor to inform them that he wasn’t feeling well and would not be going to work. This was the last confirmed contact anyone had with him. His family grew increasingly worried, especially given his previous health issues, which might have included a stroke, leading to potential memory loss.

In the days following his disappearance, Cain was reportedly seen by police, appearing confused. He gave them his sister’s phone number, but by the time she arrived, the man had disappeared. One month later, Cain’s car was found parked about 20 miles away from his home. Inside the vehicle, authorities found his eyeglasses, dentures, and several important documents, including the deed to his house.

Cain was also seen by a mechanic at a nearby gas station shortly after he disappeared. The mechanic reported that Cain appeared disoriented, with slurred speech and a staggering walk. His phone card was used multiple times after his disappearance, with calls made to numbers in classified ads, suggesting that Cain may have been seeking employment, unaware of his identity due to his potential memory loss.

There was a potential sighting of Cain in Topeka, Kansas, where a man using the alias "Elmer Jackson" bore a striking resemblance to him. This man had a scar that matched one of Cain’s and was missing his dentures. However, despite efforts by Cain’s son, NFL player Lynn Cain, to track down this lead, "Elmer Jackson" vanished before he could be confirmed as Rogest Cain. His family continues to search for answers, and despite being declared legally dead in 1995, his case remains unsolved.

Last Seen: Feb 18, 1986

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 — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3875
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3875 • Found Nov 30, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 62 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'7"
Weight 96%185 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP4018 • Found Nov 2, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–68 vs 62 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 78%130 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — California - unidentified case UP16331
John Doe — California
UP16331 • Found Apr 1, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 62 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3448 • Found Sep 26, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 44–64 vs 62 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 96%145 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — West Hollywood, California - unidentified case UP119554
John Doe — West Hollywood, California
UP119554 • Found Mar 31, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 62 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 38 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 5'7"
Weight 97%146 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP86642
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP86642 • Found Nov 9, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 62 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 36 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'10" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%160–180 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP84244
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP84244 • Found Sep 6, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–60 vs 62 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 36 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8"–6'1" vs 5'7"
Weight 69%207 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP79658
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP79658 • Found Jan 7, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 62 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'11" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%156 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Irwindale, California - unidentified case UP3096
John Doe — Irwindale, California
UP3096 • Found Jan 29, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 70–80 vs 62 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 68%5'10" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%159 lb vs 165 lb
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Torrance, California
UP12686 • Found Oct 3, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 62 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'9" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%130–150 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black

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.