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Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP28600) and 6 other sources
Sam Francis Tavakol, an 18-year-old male, was last seen on May 18, 1993, in Sherman Oaks, California. He had left his mother's home in Northridge around 8:15 p.m., telling her he was going to meet friends for a party. However, he never arrived at his destination, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Tavakol's vehicle, a 1987 Nissan Sentra, was found abandoned three days later in the parking lot of a Ralph's supermarket in Sherman Oaks. There were no signs of a struggle, and he had not been seen since.

Tavakol had recently come into an inheritance of $60,000, much of which he lost in what was described as a suspicious business deal just before his disappearance. He was due to start a job as a bank teller three days later but vanished under mysterious circumstances. Authorities suspect foul play in his case, given the financial issues and the abrupt disappearance. Tavakol was a student at Pierce College at the time, and his case remains unsolved.

Last Seen: May 18, 1993

Possible Unidentified Matches (7)

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 — Long Beach, California
UP3613 • Found Apr 23, 1995
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–25 vs 18 when missing
Location 96%25 mi away, same county
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%161 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Arleta, California
UP7518 • Found Jun 7, 2008
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 18 when missing
Location 100%8 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
75%Possible
John Doe — East Rancho Dominguez, California - unidentified case UP3480
John Doe — East Rancho Dominguez, California
UP3480 • Found Jan 19, 1997
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–27 vs 18 when missing
Location 97%23 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%138 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
75%Possible
John Doe — Trabuco Canyon, California - unidentified case UP7686
John Doe — Trabuco Canyon, California
UP7686 • Found Dec 13, 1996
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 14–25 vs 18 when missing
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%145 lb vs 150 lb
75%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3671 • Found Sep 3, 1994
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 14–24 vs 18 when missing
Location 99%14 mi away, same county
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
75%Possible
John Doe — Hollywood, California - unidentified case UP3736
John Doe — Hollywood, California
UP3736 • Found May 15, 1993
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Sex ✓Male
Age 77%Est. 20–35 vs 18
Location 100%8 mi away, same county
TimingFound same day as last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Black vs Green
75%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP137125
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP137125 • Found Nov 16, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 18 when missing
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 31 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 50%Blue vs Green

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.