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Judy Smithson Missing Person Case

Last seen in North Hollywood, California on Oct 1, 1979

Victim Details

Mar 1, 2016

Apr 19, 2024

Judy

Smithson

68

21

67 inches

135 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Oct 1, 1979

North Hollywood

California

Los Angeles County

18058

Houston Police Department

Houston

Texas

Harris County

77048

8300 Mykawa, Texas

8323941872

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.houstonpolice.org/

170167404

Nov 7, 2004

Houston Police Department

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 14, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP32729) and 4 other sources
Judy Lynn Smithson, a 21-year-old female, was last seen on October 1, 1979, in North Hollywood, California. At the time, she was living with her boyfriend, and they had reportedly broken up just before her disappearance. Judy was planning to drive home to attend her mother's wedding but never arrived. Her mother later recalled that the FBI had contacted her about Judy's case, asking about possible tattoos, though Judy's mother was unaware of any.

Unfortunately, despite investigations, no significant leads have surfaced since her disappearance, and her case remains unsolved. Judy was described as 5'7", with brown hair and brown eyes, weighing around 135 pounds. There has been speculation that an unidentified woman found in Arizona later in 1979 could be linked to Judy, but no conclusive connection has been made.

Her family continues to search for answers, and the pain of her disappearance has persisted over the years. Judy's case remains open, and authorities encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Last Seen: Oct 1, 1979

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP32729 - Office of Justice Programs
  • Missing Person from NAMPN, 1970 to 1979 - Poli-con-deaths
  • Alumni Updates - Westmont College
  • HCSO-Criminal Investigative Division-Open Warrant Info FUll List

    • 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.

    85%Strong
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP4383
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4383 • Found Mar 9, 1980
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 17–23 vs 21
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    84%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Valencia, California - unidentified case UP4389
    Jane Doe — Valencia, California
    UP4389 • Found Jan 26, 1980
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 17–24 vs 21
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%115–130 lb vs 135 lb
    82%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP80466
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP80466 • Found Apr 26, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 42 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3"–5'6" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%115–130 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    82%Moderate
    Jane Doe — California
    UP4111 • Found Oct 25, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    82%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Van Nuys, California
    UP4117 • Found Jul 21, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 24–33 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%5 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3"–5'7" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%120–150 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    82%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Corona, California - unidentified case UP7138
    Jane Doe — Corona, California
    UP7138 • Found Dec 18, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 17–21 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%51 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%133 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 50%Blond vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    Jane Doe — California
    UP4034 • Found Aug 24, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 16–26 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    Jane Doe — City of Industry, California
    UP4123 • Found May 17, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 24–29 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%27 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%130 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    Jane Doe — California
    UP4193 • Found Sep 10, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 17–24 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'2"–5'5" vs 5'7"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Lancaster, California - unidentified case UP4230
    Jane Doe — Lancaster, California
    UP4230 • Found Jul 26, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%38 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
    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 (3)

    Did anyone ever find out more about the 1979 unidentified woman found in Arizona? I came across Judy... ...Read More
    11/09/2024
    I recently stumbled upon Judy Lynn Smithson's case, and something struck me as curious—it's the part... ...Read More
    01/23/2024
    The detail about the possible tattoo inquiry has always intrigued me about Judy Lynn Smithson's... ...Read More
    10/29/2023

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