Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP32519) and 7 other sources
In the autumn of 1987, a young man named Keith L. Childress vanished from Chicago Heights, Illinois, leaving behind a mystery that has endured for decades. On the morning of October 19, 1987, the 22-year-old attended a church service. After the service concluded, he was seen leaving, but was never heard from again. At the time of his disappearance, Keith was described as a Black male, standing between 5'10' and 6'1' tall, and weighing around 200 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes, with distinctive scars on his wrist and the back of his hand. The clothing he was last seen wearing consisted of a burgundy jacket, a white shirt, beige dress pants, and brown slip-on shoes.

The circumstances surrounding Keith's disappearance were unsettlingly vague. While there was no immediate evidence of foul play, the sudden and complete lack of contact was out of character. It was known that Childress had previously hitchhiked to California, which offered a sliver of a possibility that he had voluntarily traveled again. However, as days turned into weeks and then years, the hope of his safe return began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of concern for his well-being. His case was officially classified as a missing person investigation, but with few leads to follow, the inquiry struggled to gain momentum.

The years that followed have not brought any definitive answers regarding the fate of Keith Childress. His case remains an open and unsolved investigation. For the family and friends of Keith, the lack of resolution has meant a prolonged period of uncertainty and grief. The initial details of his last known movements—attending church and then simply vanishing—provide a stark and poignant final image. The overview of the case is one of a young man who disappeared without a trace, leaving a void in the lives of those who knew him and a lingering question for law enforcement.

Last Seen: Oct 19, 1987

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP128985 • Found May 12, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 96%26 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 94%231 lb vs 200–205 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP125599 • Found Jan 16, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 91%Est. 25–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 96%26 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 91%171 lb vs 200–205 lb
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129335 • Found Aug 14, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 96%176 lb vs 200–205 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129112 • Found Apr 7, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 96%25 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 200–205 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP128953 • Found Oct 28, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 96%26 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%200 lb vs 200–205 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP128981 • Found Jun 8, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–25 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 96%26 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 72%151 lb vs 200–205 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP124431
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP124431 • Found Aug 11, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 96%26 mi away, same county
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 68%6'4" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%201 lb vs 200–205 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Lemont, Illinois
UP8488 • Found Jan 27, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 97%22 mi away, same county
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%200 lb vs 200–205 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP122389 • Found Oct 11, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 96%25 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 61%143 lb vs 200–205 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP117204 • Found Jul 5, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 96%24 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 63%144 lb vs 200–205 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black

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.