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

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP33025) and 5 other sources
Mercedes Lodge, a 40-year-old woman, was last seen at her home in Castro Valley, California, on December 14, 1974. At the time, she was actively attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in Hayward, California, as she was in recovery from alcoholism. Mercedes, who stood between 4'11" and 5'2" tall and weighed 140 to 150 pounds, walked with a noticeable limp due to her left leg being shorter than her right. She was last seen wearing a black sweater, green corduroy jacket, black pants, and white sneakers.

Her disappearance is considered suspicious, but few details have emerged over the years. Despite an ongoing investigation, no leads have led to solving the case, and she has not been seen since. Her case remains classified as an "endangered missing person," and law enforcement continues to seek any information that could provide answers. Both her dental records and DNA are available for identification purposes, should any remains be found.

Investigators urge anyone with information to contact the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, as her case remains unsolved.

Last Seen: Dec 14, 1974

Possible Unidentified Matches (9)

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
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP9160 • Found Apr 22, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same state
TimingFound 36 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 4'10"–5'2"
Weight 99%125 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP5932
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5932 • Found Apr 5, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 4'10"–5'2"
Weight 63%100 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5854 • Found Oct 27, 1978
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 4'10"–5'2"
Weight 43%200 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP129724
Jane Doe — San Jose, California
UP129724 • Found Jan 23, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 46 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'5" vs 4'10"–5'2"
Weight 99%120–125 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Newark, California - unidentified case UP53306
Jane Doe — Newark, California
UP53306 • Found Oct 24, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%12 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 52%5'6"–5'8" vs 4'10"–5'2"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — California
UP2361 • Found Feb 10, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%67 mi away, same state
TimingFound 30 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 4'10"–5'2"
Weight 86%115 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5906 • Found Jan 7, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 68%5'5" vs 4'10"–5'2"
Weight 79%110 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP7323 • Found Dec 23, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 50–75 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%22 mi away, same state
TimingFound 35 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 4'10"–5'2"
Weight 63%100 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Keyes, California
UP13028 • Found Apr 27, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%65 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 52%5'6" vs 4'10"–5'2"
Weight 86%115 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Hazel 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.