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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. ...Read More
Last Seen: Jan 30, 1982
Despite search efforts by local authorities, no signs of the men or their boat were found. ...Read More
Last Seen: Jan 30, 1982
Links to Additional Sources (3)
See any mistakes?Victim Details
Feb 22, 2015
Nov 11, 2020
Donnel
Sears
72
29
65 inches
160 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
Jan 30, 1982
Madeira Beach, FL
Florida
Pinellas County
225
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
11/18/2025
Area Last Seen:
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
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
07/27/2023
