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Donnel Sears Missing Person Case

Last seen in Madeira Beach, FL, Florida on Jan 30, 1982

Victim Details

Feb 22, 2015

Nov 11, 2020

Donnel

Sears

73

29

65 inches

160 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 30, 1982

Madeira Beach, FL

Florida

Pinellas County

23809

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Largo

Florida

Pinellas County

33778

Christopher Lyons

Deputy

10750 Ulmerton Rd, Florida

County

Law Enforcement

82-9888

1982-01-30

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Brown

Blue

Blue

07/12/2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Donnel Sears, a 29-year-old man, went missing on January 30, 1982, from Madeira Beach, Florida. Donnel, along with his friend Michael Franzese, embarked on a 10-foot Styrofoam sailboat two days prior, on January 28, 1982. They were last seen leaving the area to sail in the Gulf of Mexico, but neither of them nor the boat was ever recovered. The disappearance was officially reported on January 30.

Despite search efforts by local authorities, no signs of the men or their boat were found. ...
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Last Seen: Jan 30, 1982

Links to Additional Sources (3)

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  • Missing Persons - - Pinellas County Sheriff's Office">Missing Persons - - Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP27798
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    Forum Posts (2)

    Has anyone else looked into the type of sailboat Donnel and Michael were on? I just read that it was... ...Read More
    10/19/2024
    Did anyone else find it odd that Donnel Sears and Michael Franzese chose a 10-foot Styrofoam sailboa... ...Read More
    07/27/2023
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