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Crime Solvers Central
298 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 (MP30450) and 3 other sources
In the spring of 1962, a 31-year-old man named James Homer Hannah was a resident of Auburn, Washington. On May 6th of that year, he was seen for what would be the last time. Details surrounding the day he vanished are sparse, but it is understood that he was in the company of a man described as having a hot temper and who was reportedly carrying a gun. The two had been drinking together. After this encounter, James was never seen or heard from again, leaving behind a mystery that has endured for decades. His case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who disappear under unsettling circumstances, leaving families to grapple with unanswered questions.

Following his disappearance, the primary clue left behind was James's 1959 Chevrolet Biscayne. The vehicle was discovered abandoned in the parking lot of a local tavern in Auburn. This discovery, however, did little to shed light on what might have happened to him. The investigation into his whereabouts has continued over the years, but no significant leads have emerged to resolve the case. James was a white male with black, wavy hair and green eyes. He was a military veteran, a fact evidenced by a distinctive scar he carried from being bayoneted while stationed in Korea. He also had several other identifying marks, including a two-inch scar on his chin, a three-inch scar on his upper left arm, and a deep scar on his right kneecap from a previous car accident. Additionally, he had several tattoos: a green '13' on his left wrist, a heart with an eagle on his upper left arm, and a black panther's head on his right shoulder. At the time he went missing, he was believed to be wearing green corduroy trousers with a rust-colored shirt and sweater.

The passage of time has transformed James Hannah's case into a cold one, emblematic of the difficulties that investigators face when evidence and memories fade over many years. For his family, the lack of resolution has meant decades of uncertainty and a search for answers that has yet to find a conclusion. The official investigation remains open with the Auburn Police Department, a testament to the ongoing, though challenging, effort to bring closure to this long-standing case. The overview of this case is one of sudden disappearance under suspicious circumstances, followed by a frustrating lack of evidence. The discovery of his car suggested he may have met with foul play near the tavern, but without witnesses or further evidence, his fate remains unknown. The few details about his last known moments with an armed, ill-tempered individual paint a concerning picture, but ultimately, the story of what happened to James Homer Hannah on that day in May 1962 remains an unsolved and poignant mystery.

Last Seen: May 6, 1962

Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

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
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP139558 • Found Aug 29, 1967
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%167 lb vs 175–180 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
79%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP140307 • Found May 15, 1969
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%23 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 68%6'2" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%186 lb vs 175–180 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
78%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP139496 • Found Jul 6, 1972
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 175–180 lb
Hair 10%Blond vs Black
Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
77%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP88381 • Found May 26, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%23 mi away, same county
TimingFound 27 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
76%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP68712 • Found Jan 9, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away, same county
TimingFound 42 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%172 lb vs 175–180 lb
Physical features: Tattoo: eagle

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.