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298 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 (MP31029) and 6 other sources
John Lawrence McMeel, a 31-year-old Irish national, was last seen on November 14, 1997, in Burlingame, California. McMeel had left his home in Ireland in 1996 to travel the world, eventually arriving in the San Francisco Bay Area in March 1997. He regularly kept in contact with his sister in Massachusetts, who sent him money through wire transfers during his travels. However, all communication with McMeel abruptly ceased in November 1997, and his family reported him missing in early 1998.

McMeel is described as 6'1" tall, weighing approximately 180 to 190 pounds, with graying brown hair and blue eyes. He also had a distinctive burn scar running from his collarbone to his navel, a result of a childhood injury. McMeel was known to have a strong Irish accent.

There has been no trace of McMeel since his disappearance, and his case remains unsolved. Despite efforts from both his family and law enforcement, no leads have emerged regarding his whereabouts.

Last Seen: Nov 14, 1997

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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Brisbane, California - unidentified case UP12987
John Doe — Brisbane, California
UP12987 • Found Sep 17, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 190 lb
80%Moderate
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP12220 • Found May 15, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 190 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Napa, California
UP69733 • Found Dec 14, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%51 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0"–6'3" vs 6'1"
77%Possible
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP7082 • Found Aug 21, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 68%5'10" vs 6'1"
Weight 88%160 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
76%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5964 • Found Jun 27, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 77%Est. 43–60 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
75%Possible
John Doe — Milpitas, California
UP72156 • Found Jun 14, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7"–5'11" vs 6'1"
75%Possible
John Doe — Fresno, California
UP15816 • Found Jul 7, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 64%154 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
Weight 69%238 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
75%Possible
John Doe — California - unidentified case UP17689
John Doe — California
UP17689 • Found May 10, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 88%Est. 20–30 vs 31
Race 100%White
Location 92%42 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 52%5'9" vs 6'1"
Weight 99%170 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
75%Possible
John Doe — California - unidentified case UP2363
John Doe — California
UP2363 • Found Mar 9, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 80%83 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
75%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP147165 • Found Jun 17, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%172 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black

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.