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Richard Moss Missing Person Case

Last seen in Montara, California on May 25, 2017

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Victim Details

Jun 5, 2017

Oct 25, 2021

Richard

Moss

31

22

71 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

May 25, 2017

Montara

California

San Mateo County

33625

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office

Redwood City

California

San Mateo County

94063

400 County Center, California

6505991536

County

Law Enforcement

www.smcsheriff.com/contact-us

17-05430

May 26, 2017

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office

na

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

No

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP38446) and 11 other sources
Richard William Moss, 22, was last seen by his mother on May 25, 2017, at their home in Montara, California. That morning, Moss drove to work along California Highway 1, near a treacherous area known as Devil's Slide. Investigators later discovered that his vehicle had gone off the road, plummeting more than 100 feet into the ocean near Montara State Beach. Initially, there were no witnesses, and authorities could not confirm what had occurred until July 13, 2017, when part of his car, including a wheel, was found on the rocks at Montara Beach.

Despite a search of the area, Moss remained missing. In August 2018, a vertebra discovered on the beach was confirmed to belong to Moss, though no further remains were found. His family has since advocated for the installation of guardrails at Devil's Slide to prevent similar accidents. Moss's case is classified as lost or injured due to the nature of the accident, and while partial remains were recovered, the full circumstances of his disappearance remain a tragedy.
Last Seen: May 25, 2017

Links to Additional Sources (11)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Vertebra found at beach belonged to missing man - Coastside News">Vertebra found at beach belonged to missing man - Coastside News
  • Richard William Moss - The Charley Project
  • Families affected by tragedy seek refuge in new safety measure for ...
  • Search continues for missing 22-year-old Montara man
  • Vertebra found on beach belongs to missing Montara man
  • Montara's Richard Moss Missing Since May 25th - Please Share ...
  • Heartbroken father pleads for answers after son vanishes in California
  • Car parts found as search continues for missing Montara man
  • Finding Richard Moss - Facebook
  • Montara man missing since May 25 | Local News Stories - Review
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP38446 - Office of Justice Programs

    • 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.

    77%Possible
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP147165 • Found Jun 17, 2020
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 22 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%18 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
    Weight 91%172 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Suisun City, California
    UP115237 • Found Jun 28, 2023
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–25 vs 22 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%55 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 75%5'3"–5'11" vs 5'11"
    Hair 60%Black 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Richard William Moss, 22, was last seen by his mother on May 25, 2017, at their home in Montara... ...Read More
    10/17/2023

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