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John Ward Missing Person Case

Last seen in Chatsworth, California on Aug 30, 1994

Victim Details

Sep 19, 2017

Nov 17, 2021

John

Ward

100

68

72 inches

210 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Aug 30, 1994

Chatsworth

California

Los Angeles County

34844

Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit

Los Angeles

California

Los Angeles County

90012

100 West 1st Street, California

8772755273

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.lapdonline.org/

9417-28519

Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit

White

Brown

Brown

No

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP39882) and 5 other sources
John F. Ward, 68, was last seen on August 30, 1994, in Chatsworth, California. Ward, an avid hiker who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease five years earlier, left his home on foot, intending to walk to a nearby sporting goods store. He never returned and has not been heard from since. Due to his condition, it is believed that Ward became disoriented and lost his way home.

Ward had previously wandered off on two occasions, once being found more than 20 miles from home near Magic Mountain. In the days following his disappearance, there were potential sightings of him in the nearby Brown's Canyon area, a location he was known to hike frequently. An equestrian reported seeing a man resembling Ward lying near logs in the area, but despite extensive searches, no further evidence was found.

At the time of his disappearance, Ward was wearing an aqua sweatshirt, khaki shorts, maroon socks, and hiking shoes. He also had a Medic Alert bracelet, a wedding ring, and a watch on his right wrist. Ward's case remains unsolved, and the search for him continues.

If you have any information regarding this case, you're encouraged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.
Last Seen: Aug 30, 1994

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • John F. Ward - The Charley Project
  • 1047DMCA - John F. Ward - Doe Network
  • John Ward - California Department of Justice
  • Painful Waiting to Learn Loved One's Fate - Los Angeles Times
  • W - HCSO-Criminal Investigative Division-Open Warrant Info FUll List

    • 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.

    85%Strong
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3330
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3330 • Found Feb 14, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 61–74 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%25 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%192 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3607
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3607 • Found May 29, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 55–80 vs 68
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%26 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%212 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — Venice, California - unidentified case UP3627
    John Doe — Venice, California
    UP3627 • Found Dec 25, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 68
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%19 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"
    Weight 87%175 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3382
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3382 • Found Dec 15, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 55–75 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%36 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%225 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP13324
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP13324 • Found Sep 6, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%41 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 98%187 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Commerce, California
    UP3601 • Found Jun 11, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 81%Est. 45–65 vs 68
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%31 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%155–200 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3326
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3326 • Found Jun 28, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 75–85 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%20 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
    Weight 72%160 lb vs 210 lb
    Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3622 • Found Jan 18, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 57–69 vs 68
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%19 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 months after last seen
    Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"
    78%Possible
    John Doe — California - unidentified case UP15654
    John Doe — California
    UP15654 • Found Jul 9, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 55–75 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%30 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8"–6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 48%141 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Buena Park, California - unidentified case UP12758
    John Doe — Buena Park, California
    UP12758 • Found Jul 1, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 82%Est. 50–65 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%44 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 94%183 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    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)

    Hey everyone, stumbled upon something curious about John F. Ward’s case. I was looking into the... ...Read More
    03/17/2024

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