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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 (MP34881) and 2 other sources
Harold William Melching, a 37-year-old man, was last seen on October 1, 1980, in Adelanto, California. At the time of his disappearance, he was stationed at George Air Force Base. Melching was facing serious charges of child sexual abuse when he went missing, and it is suspected that he may have fled due to the gravity of these allegations. He left his home in the early morning hours and has not been heard from since.

Melching is described as a white male, standing between 5'6" and 5'10", weighing around 190-200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of a heart with the name "Barb" on his left shoulder, a distinguishing mark. There were concerns that he might have been suicidal at the time of his disappearance, given the severe legal situation he was facing.

As a result of the charges and his desertion from his military post, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) has remained involved in the case. Despite the passage of decades, Melching’s whereabouts remain unknown, and his case is still considered open.

Last Seen: Sep 8, 1980

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — San Bernardino, California - unidentified case UP2582
John Doe — San Bernardino, California
UP2582 • Found Jan 8, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 37
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"–5'10"
Weight 82%153 lb vs 190–200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP15094
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP15094 • Found Jan 1, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 28–46 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 35 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"–5'10"
Weight 96%167 lb vs 190–200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Tattoo: heart
83%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4281 • Found Apr 29, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–47 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'6"–5'10"
Weight 100%173 lb vs 190–200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4297 • Found Sep 7, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 37–47 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 24 months after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'6"–5'10"
Weight 92%163 lb vs 190–200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4340 • Found Jun 7, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–38 vs 37
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'10"
Weight 71%142 lb vs 190–200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Riverside, California
UP7243 • Found Jul 11, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%42 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'6"–5'10"
Weight 100%202 lb vs 190–200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Ontario, California - unidentified case UP7586
John Doe — Ontario, California
UP7586 • Found Feb 4, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%39 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'10"
Weight 96%167 lb vs 190–200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Pacoima, California
UP4100 • Found Jan 15, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'10"
Weight 95%166 lb vs 190–200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4104 • Found Dec 29, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"–5'10"
Weight 75%146 lb vs 190–200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4127 • Found Apr 10, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'6"–5'10"
Weight 89%160 lb vs 190–200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
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.