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Douglas Foster Missing Person Case

Last seen in Tacoma, Washington on Jul 4, 2015

Victim Details

Created

Jun 20, 2016

Case Added

May 26, 2023

First Name

Douglas

Last Name

Foster

Current Age

Age At Disappearance

Height

72 inches

Weight

185 lbs

Ethnicity

White / Caucasian

Gender

Male

Last Seen

Jul 4, 2015

City

Tacoma

State

Washington

County

Pierce County

Tribal Land

Agency ID

18449

Agency Name

Tacoma Police Department

Agency City

Tacoma

Agency State

Washington

Agency County

Pierce County

Agency Zip Code

98409

Agency Contact

Jack Nasworthy

Contact Job Title

Police Detective

Agency Address

3701 South Pine Street, Washington

Agency Phone

2535915950

Agency Jurisdiction

Local

Agency Type

Law Enforcement

Agency Website

https://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/police

Agency Case #

15-185-2160

Agency Report Date

Jul 4, 2015

Primary Agency

Tacoma Police Department

Hair Color

Unknown

Left Eye Color

Brown

Right Eye Color

Brown

Last Updated

Oct 12, 2026

Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!

Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP34122) and 3 other sources

On the evening of July 4, 2015, a day of celebration turned into a tragedy on the waters of Commencement Bay in Tacoma, Washington. Forty-seven-year-old Douglas W. Foster, a male from Portland, was enjoying the holiday on a 22-foot boat with three other people when their vessel was involved in a violent collision with a 17-foot aluminum boat. The force of the impact, which occurred around 11 p.m. near Point Defiance Park, threw Mr. Foster and his fellow passengers into the water as their boat capsized. While the operator of the boat and two other passengers were rescued from the bay, Mr. Foster could not be located.

Immediate search and rescue operations were launched by the U.S. Coast Guard and Pierce County marine crews. Over the next fourteen hours, rescue teams scoured approximately 35 square miles of the bay in a desperate attempt to find Douglas Foster. Despite their extensive efforts, the search was ultimately suspended the following afternoon without any sign of the missing man. The two individuals in the other boat sustained serious injuries in the collision and were transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Authorities stated that they believe alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash.

In the wake of the incident, the 44-year-old operator of the boat Mr. Foster was on, Joshua Puckett, was arrested. He was subsequently charged with watercraft homicide and watercraft assault, to which he pleaded not guilty. Following the accident, Douglas Foster was presumed to have died. The case remains a somber reminder of the potential dangers on the water. The disappearance of Douglas Foster stemmed from a sudden and chaotic event, a holiday boat outing that ended in a devastating collision. The subsequent search efforts were intensive but sadly unsuccessful in locating him, leaving a void of unanswered questions.
Last Seen: Jul 4, 2015

Links to Additional Sources (3)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

Missing Person / NamUs #MP34122

Wash. man charged with watercraft homicide in boat collision

Tacoma man charged with watercraft homicide, assault in boat ...

Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

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 — Seattle, Washington

UP16143 • Found Sep 4, 2016

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 47 when missing

Race 100%White

Location 96%25 mi away, same state

TimingFound 14 months after last seen

Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"

77%Possible

John Doe — Fall City, Washington

UP87184 • Found Jul 23, 2020

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 47 when missing

Race 100%White

Location 94%34 mi away, same state

TimingFound 5 years after last seen

Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

75%Possible

John Doe — Tacoma, Washington

UP120946 • Found Nov 26, 2023

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 60%Est. 30–99 vs 47 when missing

Race 100%White

Location 100%3 mi away, same county

TimingFound 8 years after last seen

Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"

Weight 94%161 lb vs 185 lb

75%Possible

John Doe — Shelton, Washington

UP88982 • Found Jan 16, 2022

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 60%Est. 19–49 vs 47 when missing

Race 100%White

Location 94%31 mi away, same state

TimingFound 7 years after last seen

Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"

Weight 100%170 lb vs 185 lb

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.

Douglas Foster Missing Person Case

Last seen in Tacoma, Washington on Jul 4, 2015

Victim Details

Case Description

Links to Additional Sources (3)

Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

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