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Case Description

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Alfonso Cotton, a 50-year-old stamp collector from Lake Oswego, Oregon, was last seen on December 9, 2013. On that evening, he had dinner with a friend, who later described him as behaving unusually and possibly depressed. Cotton left his condo to meet someone for a potential sale related to his stamp collection, which was worth thousands of dollars. However, he was never seen again after that night. His family, especially his wife, Lori Young, expressed deep concern, believing that foul play ma ...Read More
Last Seen: Dec 09, 2013

Victim Details

Mar 24, 2014

Jan 04, 2024

Alfonso

Cotton

61

50

76 inches

185 lbs

Black / African American

Male

On December 9, 2013, in Lake Oswego, Oregon, a 50-year-old man named Alfonso Chadder Cotton shared a meal with a friend. This dinner would be the last time he was reportedly seen. The friend later recalled that Cotton seemed depressed and was acting strangely that evening, a detail that would later add a layer of concern to his sudden absence. The following day, the Portland Police Bureau was alerted to a discovery that deepened the mystery of his whereabouts. Alfonso Cotton's wallet and identification were found near the Burnside Bridge in Portland, a concerning find that officially triggered the start of a missing person investigation. The initial days of the search for Alfonso Cotton yielded few answers but uncovered another piece of the puzzle. His vehicle, a blue 2002 Mazda MPV minivan, was located, but not in a way that provided any immediate clarity. The van had been left at a 205 Gas station for approximately two weeks before the station owner had it towed as a private party impound. It was only when the towing company notified the Portland Police Bureau of the impound, in compliance with Oregon law, that the vehicle was connected to the missing person case. Investigators from the Lake Oswego Police Department thoroughly searched and processed the Mazda, but unfortunately, the vehicle offered no significant leads that could help trace Alfonso Cotton's steps after he disappeared. The investigation into Alfonso Cotton's disappearance has continued, marked by a series of unanswered questions. The discovery of his personal effects near the Burnside Bridge, coupled with his friend's observation of his depressed state, paints a troubling picture of his last known hours. The subsequent finding of his abandoned vehicle further complicates the timeline of events. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, including the Lake Oswego Police Department, the specific circumstances leading to his disappearance and his current location remain unknown, leaving his family and community with a profound sense of uncertainty. The case is a collection of disparate and concerning clues that have yet to form a complete picture of what happened to Alfonso Cotton.

Dec 09, 2013

Lake Oswego

Oregon

Clackamas County

97035

No

15051

Lake Oswego Police Department

Lake Oswego

Oregon

Clackamas County

97034

Jay Slezak

Detective

380 A Avenue, Oregon

5036350238

Local

Law Enforcement

13-664252

2013-12-10

Lake Oswego Police Department

Black

Brown

Brown

No

05/25/2026


Area Last Seen: