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Donnel Sears Missing Person Case

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

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Victim Details

Feb 22, 2015

Nov 11, 2020

Donnel

Sears

73

29

65 inches

160 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 30, 1982

Madeira Beach

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

Jan 30, 1982

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 16, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP27798) and 3 other sources
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. The circumstances surrounding their disappearance remain unclear, and both men are still classified as missing. The case remains unsolved, with little information available beyond the initial details. Their disappearance remains a cold case, and the community continues to seek any potential leads.
Last Seen: Jan 30, 1982

Links to Additional Sources (3)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Persons - - Pinellas County Sheriff's Office">Missing Persons - - Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP27798
  • park county missing persons - PeekHelpers

    • 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.

    80%Moderate
    John Doe — South of Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP213
    John Doe — South of Tampa, Florida
    UP213 • Found Nov 12, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 29
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%27 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'3" vs 5'5"
    Weight 100%146 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Lecanto, Florida - unidentified case UP2883
    John Doe — Lecanto, Florida
    UP2883 • Found Jun 14, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 80%Est. 35–55 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%75 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'5"
    Weight 88%134 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP78
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP78 • Found May 21, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–35 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%19 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'5"
    Weight 100%172 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP200
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP200 • Found Jul 13, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'3" vs 5'5"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Dover, Florida - unidentified case UP178
    John Doe — Dover, Florida
    UP178 • Found Mar 22, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%38 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
    Weight 100%149 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP179
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP179 • Found Jun 18, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'5"
    Weight 83%130 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Florida
    UP1173 • Found Jun 16, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 67%142 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"
    Weight 95%180 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — West Palm Beach, Florida
    UP1245 • Found Dec 2, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 58%184 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP1261
    John Doe — Florida
    UP1261 • Found Sep 25, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 58%186 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 20 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"
    Weight 98%142 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP8112
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP8112 • Found Nov 8, 2010
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 29 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'5"
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown

    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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Donnel Sears was 29 when he was last seen from Madeira Beach, Florida. He and a friend, Michael... ...Read More
    10/19/2024

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