Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 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 (MP29115) and 2 other sources
In the spring of 1993, a 36-year-old man named Vance Walter McDermid disappeared from Las Vegas, Nevada. The specific details surrounding his last known whereabouts and the exact date of his disappearance remain vague, creating a challenging starting point for an investigation. At the time he went missing, Vance was described as a white male, standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He had brown hair and blue eyes, features common enough to make visual identification difficult without more distinct characteristics. His case is one of many long-unsolved missing persons files in the city, a place known for its transient population which can complicate such investigations. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has maintained his case as an open and unresolved cold case.

Vance had several distinct tattoos that serve as key identifiers. On his left hand, he had a cross with a chain. He also had the word 'LOVE' tattooed on one of his hands, and a floral design on his right forearm. Unfortunately, information regarding what he was wearing at the time of his disappearance or any personal items he may have had with him has not been made publicly available. This lack of detail is a significant hurdle for investigators and for a public that might otherwise be able to provide crucial information. Without a clear timeline of his last known movements or any individuals he was known to be with, the case has been left with very few leads to follow.

The disappearance of Vance Walter McDermid is a poignant example of the many cold cases that linger in Las Vegas and across the country. For decades, his family and friends have been left without answers, a painful and unending state of uncertainty. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department continues to highlight his case in the hope that someone, somewhere, may have information that could finally shed light on what happened to him. The overview of this case is one of profound mystery and a lack of closure; a man seemingly vanished, leaving behind only a sparse description and the silent question of his fate. The passage of time has not diminished the need for answers, and the hope remains that new information will one day emerge to resolve this long-standing case.

Last Seen: Mar 1, 1993

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — Boulder City, Nevada
UP269 • Found Jul 7, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%22 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Laughlin, Nevada
UP281 • Found Dec 5, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 36
Race 100%White
Location 82%76 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 93%170 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Henderson, Nevada
UP266 • Found Apr 5, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%18 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'11"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Henderson, Nevada
UP104115 • Found Dec 22, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%12 mi away, same county
TimingFound 30 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
78%Possible
John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
UP231 • Found Feb 25, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 84%6'1" vs 5'11"
Weight 79%181 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
UP397 • Found Apr 3, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–40 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%18 mi away, same county
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"
77%Possible
John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
UP258 • Found Mar 29, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
77%Possible
John Doe — Nevada
UP9248 • Found May 9, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Henderson, Nevada
UP135976 • Found Nov 17, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%12 mi away, same county
TimingFound 32 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10"–6'2" vs 5'11"
76%Possible
John Doe — Near Quartzsite, Arizona - unidentified case UP16848
John Doe — Near Quartzsite, Arizona
UP16848 • Found Jun 27, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 34–48 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 59%181 mi away
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%141 lb vs 150 lb

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.