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James Butler Missing Person Case

Last seen in Hemet, California on Sep 12, 2003

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Victim Details

May 27, 2016

Jan 12, 2024

James

Butler

64

41

73 inches

200 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Sep 12, 2003

Hemet

California

Riverside County

No

24856

Riverside County Sheriff- Hemet Station

Hemet

California

Riverside County

92544

43950 Acacia Avenue, California

9517913400

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.riversidesheriff.org/609/Hemet-Station

D03280043

Riverside County Sheriff- Hemet Station

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 16, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP33860) and 3 other sources
James Scott Butler, aged 41, was last seen on September 12, 2003, in Hemet, California. Known by the nickname "Spun," Butler had full sleeve tattoos and other distinct body art, including the word "Hemet" tattooed on his chest and skulls tattooed on his back. He was a convicted felon, but authorities do not believe his disappearance was related to his criminal past.

Two weeks after he was last seen, Butler's father received an anonymous phone call claiming Butler had been shot and that his body had been set on fire in a vehicle. However, no remains or vehicle have ever been recovered. This led authorities to suspect foul play, but his case remains unsolved and classified as a suspicious disappearance.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate Butler's case, but no significant developments have been reported since his disappearance.
Last Seen: Sep 12, 2003

Links to Additional Sources (3)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • James Scott Butler - The Charley Project
  • James Scott Butler | State of California - Department of Justice
  • Anza, CA Area Missing Persons - SpotCrime

    • 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 — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP3074
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP3074 • Found Oct 24, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 41 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 84%67 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
    Weight 67%148 lb vs 200 lb
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Buena Park, California - unidentified case UP12758
    John Doe — Buena Park, California
    UP12758 • Found Jul 1, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 41 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 87%59 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
    Weight 100%183 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP12864
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP12864 • Found Feb 13, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 28–50 vs 41 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%76 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–6'0" vs 6'1"
    Weight 100%175–190 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Tustin, California - unidentified case UP7692
    John Doe — Tustin, California
    UP7692 • Found Dec 27, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 41 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%48 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Weight 81%161 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP3051 • Found Dec 3, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 39–49 vs 41 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 83%70 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'9"–5'11" vs 6'1"
    Weight 100%180–210 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Altadena, California
    UP3108 • Found Sep 19, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 41 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 83%73 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10"–6'2" vs 6'1"
    78%Possible
    John Doe — San Bernardino, California - unidentified case UP88020
    John Doe — San Bernardino, California
    UP88020 • Found Feb 9, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 41 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%31 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
    Weight 100%206 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP14611
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP14611 • Found Sep 9, 2015
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50 vs 41 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%77 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
    Weight 63%145 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Riverside, California - unidentified case UP118444
    John Doe — Riverside, California
    UP118444 • Found Aug 18, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 41 when missing
    Location 95%29 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 36%5'8" vs 6'1"
    Weight 100%198 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    Physical features: Tattoo: skull, chest
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Irwindale, California
    UP12863 • Found Feb 13, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 91%Est. 40 vs 41 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%62 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 6'1"
    Hair 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)

    James Scott Butler, 41, was last seen September 12, 2003, in Hemet, California. Known as Spun, he... ...Read More
    02/18/2023

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