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Steven Nielson Missing Person Case

Last seen in Kirkland, Washington on Jun 16, 1996

Victim Details

May 20, 2015

Jan 12, 2024

Steven

Nielson

67

37

71 inches

175 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jun 16, 1996

Kirkland

Washington

King County

No

16715

Kirkland Police Department

Kirkland

Washington

King County

98034

Allan O'Neill

Detective

11750 Northeast 18th Street, Washington

4255873400

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Police-Department

96K3704

Kirkland Police Department

Brown

Green

Green

Oct 10, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP28775) and 2 other sources
On a summer day in June of 1996, 37-year-old Steven L. Nielson vanished while boating on Lake Washington. He was last seen in Kirkland, Washington, on June 16, 1996. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance were mysterious from the outset, leaving his family and law enforcement with few clues to piece together what might have happened. At the time he went missing, Nielson was wearing a black and white t-shirt, green pants, and a green fleece top. He is described as a white male, 5'11' tall, weighing 175 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

The primary and most concerning piece of evidence in Steven's disappearance was the discovery of his empty boat found floating in Lake Washington. This discovery prompted an extensive search of the lake and surrounding areas, but these efforts yielded no conclusive evidence of an accident or any indication of foul play. The lack of any immediate signs of a struggle or other evidence has left the case open to various interpretations, but without any significant leads, the investigation has been unable to move forward in any meaningful way.

The Kirkland Police Department has been handling the investigation since 1996. Over the years, his case has become one of the many unsolved missing person cases in the region. Despite the passage of time, law enforcement and his loved ones remain hopeful for a resolution and continue to appeal to the public for any information that could shed light on the events of that day. The official investigation remains open, a lingering question mark for a family seeking closure and a community left with an enduring mystery.
Last Seen: Jun 16, 1996

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP28775
  • Missing Steven Lagrand Nielson age 37 1996 Kirkland, WA Boat ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

    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.

    78%Possible
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP9987
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon
    UP9987 • Found Jun 6, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 37
    Race 100%White
    Location 65%152 mi away
    TimingFound 12 months after last seen
    Height 84%6'1" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Seattle, Washington - unidentified case UP16143
    John Doe — Seattle, Washington
    UP16143 • Found Sep 4, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 37 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%8 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"

    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 (2)

    I was diving through some old articles and came across Steven Nielson's case. Something that caught... ...Read More
    03/28/2024
    Hey everyone, been following the case of Steven Nielson's disappearance for a while now. Something... ...Read More
    07/23/2023

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