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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 (MP32102) and 1 other source
In the winter of 1976, a young man named Robert Preston Hall disappeared from his home in Arlington, Virginia, leaving behind a mystery that has endured for decades. On January 14, 18-year-old Robert was last seen. He was driving a green 1970 Ford Mustang with Virginia license plate HAW-198. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a brown corduroy jacket and blue jeans. The circumstances surrounding his departure were unsettlingly abrupt; he left his home without explanation, and with no indication of where he might be headed. The day after he was last seen, his case was reported to the Arlington County Police Department, marking the official beginning of a long and frustrating investigation.

The details available to the public paint a sparse picture of the young man and the day he vanished. Standing at six feet four inches and weighing around 235 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, Robert was a physically imposing figure. His vehicle, a distinct green Ford Mustang, was a notable detail in the initial reports, a piece of information that investigators hoped would lead to a swift recovery. Despite this, neither Robert nor his car have ever been located. The case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System years later, in January 2016, breathing new life into the cold case but yielding no significant breakthroughs.

Over the years, the investigation into Robert Preston Hall's disappearance has remained open, a quiet but persistent effort by the Arlington County Police Department. The lack of evidence and the passage of time have created significant challenges for law enforcement and for a family left without answers. The case is a stark reminder of the painful ambiguity that accompanies a long-term missing person investigation. Without any clear indication of foul play or voluntary departure, the narrative of Robert's disappearance is one of unanswered questions and lingering uncertainty, a story without an ending that continues to trouble those who remember the young man who seemingly vanished without a trace.

Last Seen: Jan 14, 1976

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

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.

79%Possible
John Doe — Capitol Heights, Maryland
UP972 • Found Nov 22, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 100%6'5" vs 6'4"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP2714 • Found May 25, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–35 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%40 mi away
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 36%5'11" vs 6'4"
Weight 89%199 lb vs 235 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Hagerstown, Maryland - unidentified case UP2250
John Doe — Hagerstown, Maryland
UP2250 • Found Dec 13, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%62 mi away
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
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.