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Peter Laan Missing Person Case

Last seen in Santa Paula, California on Nov 29, 1982

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Victim Details

Sep 10, 2018

Dec 20, 2020

Peter

Laan

63

20

72 inches

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Nov 29, 1982

Santa Paula

California

Ventura County

40903

Ventura County Sheriff's Office-Major Crimes Investigations

Camarillo

California

Ventura County

93012

5177 Camino Ruiz, California

8053838704

County

Law Enforcement

http://www.vcsd.org/index.php

82-023507

Ventura County Sheriff's Office-Major Crimes Investigations

10650

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

Oct 12, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP52224) and 8 other sources
Peter Laan, a 20-year-old from Santa Paula, California, was last seen on November 29, 1982. His father had dropped him off at the top of Toland Road so he could go hiking in the Los Padres National Forest. He was expected to return later that day, but never did. Peter, who stood 6 feet tall and weighed about 140 pounds, was wearing a gray windbreaker, blue sweatshirt, white sweater, blue Levi's jeans, and brown tennis shoes. He also had a digital watch with a black plastic band and a scar on the left side of his upper lip from a dog bite.

After Peter failed to return, a large search effort was conducted by Ventura County Sheriff's Search and Rescue teams, lasting for eight days. Despite the extensive efforts, no trace of him was ever found, and his case remains unsolved. Authorities believe it is possible that he became lost during the hike, though details remain scarce. His case is still considered active, and any new information could provide much-needed leads for investigators.
Last Seen: Nov 29, 1982

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Peter Laan - The Charley Project
  • 649DMCA - Peter Laan - Doe Network
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP52224 | NamUs
  • Peter Laan | State of California - Department of Justice - CA.gov
  • Cold Cases - Ventura County Sheriff's Office
  • The Devil is in the Details - Craig R Carey
  • The Missing List — Locations Unknown
  • Peter Laan : r/NotForgotten - Reddit

    • 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.

    80%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4260 • Found Dec 15, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%51 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%149 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4265 • Found Oct 10, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 18–38 vs 20
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%51 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 months after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
    Weight 91%160 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP4240 • Found Apr 18, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–26 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%64 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 17 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–6'3" vs 6'0"
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    78%Possible
    John Doe — California
    UP3941 • Found Oct 28, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 24–36 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%51 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 91%160 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Bloomington, California - unidentified case UP2613
    John Doe — Bloomington, California
    UP2613 • Found Jun 20, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 15–20 vs 20
    Race 100%White
    Location 76%97 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%146 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Malibu, California - unidentified case UP15043
    John Doe — Malibu, California
    UP15043 • Found Jan 2, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
    Location 95%28 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 99%155 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    77%Possible
    John Doe — California
    UP3920 • Found Feb 3, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 19–29 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%51 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%139 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    77%Possible
    John Doe — California
    UP3930 • Found Dec 4, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–28 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%51 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 94%158 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 10%Black vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4120 • Found Jun 23, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%51 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
    Weight 91%160 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4192 • Found Sep 24, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–26 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%47 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"

    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)

    Hey everyone, I was digging into Peter Laan's case from 1982, and something that's been on my mind... ...Read More
    10/23/2023

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