Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP28749) and 6 other sources
Martin Keith Burleson, aged 23, was last seen in San Francisco, California, on October 15, 1973. Born on October 9, 1950, Burleson had brown hair, blue eyes, and stood about 5'11" tall, weighing 150 pounds. He had previously informed his mother on October 1 that he intended to move back to their family home in Live Oak, California, but he never made it, and no one has heard from him since.

At the time of his disappearance, Burleson was not known to be in possession of any specific personal belongings, and few details regarding his circumstances prior to going missing are available. It is unclear why Burleson may have used an alias, such as "David Bartholemew," but the use of this name raises questions about whether he was living under some form of duress or attempting to evade certain individuals. His family remained unaware of any specific threats or challenges that might have prompted this behavior, though his disappearance remains classified as an "endangered missing" case.

Investigators have been limited in their progress over the years due to a lack of concrete evidence or witnesses who might provide more insight into what happened after Burleson’s last phone call. The San Francisco Police Department remains the primary agency handling his case, with DNA and other identifying data available in the event any remains are discovered.

Despite the passage of time, his case continues to be of interest to law enforcement, cold case enthusiasts, and websites dedicated to missing persons. However, no substantial breakthroughs have been made, leaving his fate a mystery.

Last Seen: Oct 15, 1973

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP17718 • Found Sep 9, 1990
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 70%Gray vs Blue
83%Moderate
John Doe — Berkeley, California - unidentified case UP53302
John Doe — Berkeley, California
UP53302 • Found Mar 19, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%137 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5872 • Found Oct 16, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%153 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
82%Moderate
John Doe — Unincorporated, California
UP10662 • Found Jun 7, 1978
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
82%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5842 • Found Mar 17, 1975
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 87%175 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Brown
Eyes 70%Gray vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP17743 • Found Feb 17, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 33–39 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Sacramento, California
UP2414 • Found Feb 6, 1977
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 81%77 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5843 • Found Aug 3, 1975
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 91%172 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5840 • Found Mar 2, 1974
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 18–35 vs 23
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 50%Blond vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
80%Moderate
John Doe — Berkeley, California - unidentified case UP12992
John Doe — Berkeley, California
UP12992 • Found Nov 2, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away, same state
TimingFound 37 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 76%117 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue

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.