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Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP29728) and 6 other sources
Denise Holly Dorfman, 28, disappeared on February 9, 1980, from her apartment in San Francisco, California. Denise, an artist, dancer, and concert pianist, was studying and working at the University of San Francisco at the time. She was last seen leaving her apartment, possibly to run a short errand, and she left her home unlocked with the lights on. Her purse and money were still inside, and there were no signs of forced entry or struggle.

Three days after her disappearance, the university received a phone call from someone claiming to be Denise, saying she was taking a leave of absence. It remains unclear whether it was truly her who made the call. Despite an investigation and a private detective hired by her family, no substantial leads have emerged, and Denise has never been seen again.

Her family and authorities continue to search for answers, with the case remaining unsolved after more than 40 years.

Last Seen: Feb 9, 1980

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
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP5932
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5932 • Found Apr 5, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'2"
Weight 100%100 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP125213
Jane Doe — San Jose, California
UP125213 • Found Oct 27, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%42 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'2"
Weight 42%135 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP9160 • Found Apr 22, 2011
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Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 31 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'2"
Weight 70%125 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5906 • Found Jan 7, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 68%5'5" vs 5'2"
Weight 100%110 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP7323 • Found Dec 23, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 50–75 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 30 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'2"
Weight 100%100 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Newark, California - unidentified case UP53306
Jane Doe — Newark, California
UP53306 • Found Oct 24, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 52%5'6"–5'8" vs 5'2"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP129724
Jane Doe — San Jose, California
UP129724 • Found Jan 23, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%49 mi away, same state
TimingFound 41 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'2"
Weight 80%120–125 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — California
UP2361 • Found Feb 10, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 82%75 mi away, same state
TimingFound 25 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'2"
Weight 90%115 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5958 • Found Jun 19, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 24 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1" vs 5'2"
Weight 100%109 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — McFarland, California
UP57064 • Found Jul 6, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 52%228 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1"–5'4" vs 5'2"
Weight 80%120–140 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Brown 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.