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William Shaw Missing Person Case

Last seen in Las Vegas, Nevada on Jan 25, 1989

Victim Details

May 13, 2015

May 8, 2024

William

Shaw

100

63

65 inches

160 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 25, 1989

Las Vegas

Nevada

Clark County

89102

16687

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Las Vegas

Nevada

Clark County

89106

400 South Martin Luther King Boulevard, Nevada

7028283111

Local

Law Enforcement

www.lvmpd.com

890000044977

Jan 31, 1989

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Gray or Partially Gray

Blue

Blue

Oct 6, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP28676) and 5 other sources
In the winter of 1989, the vibrant city of Las Vegas, Nevada, became the backdrop for a quiet disappearance that would leave a family with unanswered questions for decades. William Jay Shaw, a 63-year-old man, vanished on January 25th of that year. The day he went missing, a friend arrived at his home for a pre-arranged ride to the airport. However, William was not there, and he has not been seen or heard from since that day. His plans to travel to New York to visit family members went unfulfilled, marking the beginning of a long and painful period of uncertainty for his loved ones.

At the time of his disappearance, William was described as a white male, standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds. He had graying hair and blue eyes and was known to wear eyeglasses. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was notified of his disappearance on January 31, 1989, and opened an investigation into his whereabouts. Despite their efforts, few details surrounding the circumstances of his disappearance have ever come to light, leaving a void of information and a case that has grown cold with the passage of time.

Further investigation into William's life revealed that he was involved in the world of high-stakes gambling. He was known to be a 'cash-rich' gambler who placed wagers in Las Vegas casinos. The money for these bets was reportedly provided by a sports betting group based in New York and New Jersey known as 'the Kosher Boys,' who also placed bets with illegal bookmakers. It has been suggested that William would send the gamblers their winnings via express mail. This connection to the gambling world has led to speculation about its potential role in his disappearance, but no definitive link has ever been established. The investigation into what happened to William Jay Shaw remains open, a quiet and unresolved chapter in the city's history.
Last Seen: Jan 25, 1989

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Stuffing murder victims in barrels a common practice since mid-19th ...
  • Solved Cases - DNA Solves
  • U.S. Missing Persons - Doe Network
  • NV - William Jay Shaw, 63, Las Vegas, 25 Jan 1989 | Websleuths

    • 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.

    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
    UP318 • Found Aug 1, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%4 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 18 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'5"
    Weight 96%141 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada - unidentified case UP287
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
    UP287 • Found Dec 11, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–75 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%4 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'8" vs 5'5"
    Weight 76%125 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Henderson, Nevada
    UP271 • Found Feb 12, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%19 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'2" vs 5'5"
    Weight 67%118 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada - unidentified case UP288
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
    UP288 • Found Apr 7, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 79%Est. 40–60 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%1 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
    Weight 91%137 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada - unidentified case UP229
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
    UP229 • Found Jan 3, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%15 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'8" vs 5'5"
    Weight 39%102 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Laughlin, Nevada
    UP299 • Found Aug 29, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 45–70 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%76 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada - unidentified case UP315
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
    UP315 • Found Aug 18, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 60%Est. 40–70 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%23 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
    Weight 78%126 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
    UP236 • Found Apr 22, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 81%Est. 50–60 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%3 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
    UP296 • Found Oct 25, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 60%Est. 18–99 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%4 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'5"
    Weight 100%149 lb vs 160 lb
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Calexico, California
    UP15353 • Found Aug 13, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–65 vs 63 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 51%240 mi away
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray

    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.

    Latest News

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Has anyone else noticed how little media attention William Jay Shaw's case has gotten over the... ...Read More
    02/04/2024
    I’ve been following William Jay Shaw’s case with keen interest, and I’m puzzled by the fact that his... ...Read More
    11/03/2023
    Hey everyone, I wanted to bring up something that’s been on my mind about William Jay Shaw’s case. I... ...Read More
    03/30/2023

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