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Michael Franzese Missing Person Case

Last seen in Madeira Beach, Florida on Jan 28, 1982

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Victim Details

Feb 22, 2015

Jun 13, 2023

Michael

Franzese

76

32

60 inches

75 inches

100 lbs

300 lbs

Uncertain

Male

Jan 28, 1982

Madeira Beach

Florida

Pinellas County

23810

Saint Petersburg Police Department

St. Petersburg

Florida

Pinellas County

33705

1300 1 Avenue North, Florida

7278937780

Local

Law Enforcement

82-10262

Saint Petersburg Police Department

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Oct 13, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP27799) and 4 other sources
Michael Franzese, 32 years old, went missing on January 28, 1982, from Madeira Beach, Florida. He was last seen embarking on a small Styrofoam sailboat trip with a friend named Donnel Sears. The two men set off from Madeira Beach, heading into the Gulf of Mexico, but neither returned. Despite search efforts, both men remain missing, and their sailboat was never recovered.

Franzese's disappearance has been classified as a missing persons case, with no definitive leads or discoveries about what happened to him or Sears. Due to the treacherous conditions of the Gulf and the frailty of their boat, it's feared they may have encountered difficulties at sea. The case remains unsolved, with local authorities continuing to hope for any information that might bring closure. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office was involved in the search and investigation following their disappearance.
Last Seen: Jan 28, 1982

Links to Additional Sources (4)

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  • Missing Persons - - Pinellas County Sheriff's Office">Missing Persons - - Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP27799
  • park county missing persons - PeekHelpers
  • Michael Franzese (@MichaelFranzese) / X

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

    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.

    76%Possible
    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 32
    Location 95%27 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'0"–6'3"
    Weight 100%146 lb vs 100–300 lb
    75%Possible
    John Doe — St. Petersburg, Florida - unidentified case UP2301
    John Doe — St. Petersburg, Florida
    UP2301 • Found Apr 2, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 32 when missing
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'0"–6'3"
    Weight 100%132 lb vs 100–300 lb
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP195
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP195 • Found May 29, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 32 when missing
    Location 95%28 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 5'0"–6'3"
    Weight 100%117 lb vs 100–300 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Michael Franzese, 32, disappeared from Madeira Beach, Florida, after setting out on January 28... ...Read More
    01/31/2024

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    Donnel Sears missing person case in Madeira Beach, Florida

    Donnel Sears

    Missing: Jan 30, 1982
    Donnel Sears, a 29-year-old man, went missing on January 30, 1982, from Madeira Beach, Florida. ...Read More