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 (MP34368) and 4 other sources
Joseph Richard Burns, aged 38 at the time, was last seen on August 2, 1982, in San Francisco, California. At the time of his disappearance, Burns was 5'8", weighed 155 pounds, and had brown hair and gray eyes. He was known to have several distinctive scars on both his upper arms, shoulders, and thighs. On the day he vanished, Burns was reportedly wearing a flannel shirt and blue jeans, and he also wore prescription eyeglasses.

Burns has not been seen or heard from since, and his case remains unsolved. Despite the passage of time, few details have emerged regarding his disappearance, and the circumstances remain a mystery. His family and authorities continue to seek any information that might lead to answers. The San Francisco Police Department is handling the investigation, but no significant breakthroughs have been reported in recent years. His case remains open, and any tips or new information could be crucial in helping to resolve it.
Last Seen: Aug 2, 1982

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.

82%Moderate
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP17718 • Found Sep 9, 1990
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 68%5'11" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Gray vs Gray
82%Moderate
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP17743 • Found Feb 17, 1987
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 33–39 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — San Jose, California
UP127124 • Found Sep 24, 1995
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%43 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 70%116 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Gray vs Gray
81%Moderate
John Doe — Burlingame, California
UP9898 • Found Oct 5, 1995
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 33–46 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%142 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Gray
81%Moderate
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 19 months after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
Weight 88%180 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Oakland, California
UP54081 • Found Dec 12, 1986
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%8 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 24%219 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Gray
80%Moderate
John Doe — Tiburon, California
UP7084 • Found Aug 20, 1999
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%8 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 88%130 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 43–55 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%8 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
80%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146034
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP146034 • Found Jan 22, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 68–82 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 31 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%83–150 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — San Rafael, California
UP17745 • Found Jan 27, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 88%Est. 40–50 vs 38
Race 100%White
Location 99%14 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"

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.