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Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP23395) and 8 other sources
In the spring of 1982, a young man named John Edward Parks was on the cusp of a new chapter in his life. At 25 years old, he was preparing to move into his own place in Richland County, South Carolina, a step that signified his growing independence. He was described as a tall man, standing at 6'4' and weighing around 190 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. The day he was last seen, March 28, 1982, he was reportedly wearing a denim jacket, a knit shirt, jeans, and tan Dingo boots. He also had on a watch and a silver necklace.

The events of that late March day began with a telephone call. According to his mother, John received a call concerning a truck he was planning to use for his move. Shortly after, he left his home in the Woodfield Park area to attend to the errand, but he never disclosed to his family who had called or the specifics of where he was going. His family did not initially worry, but as three days passed with no word from John, concern began to mount. Their apprehension turned to alarm when they discovered that he had never arrived at the friend's house he was supposed to visit. John Edward Parks has not been seen or heard from since.

The disappearance of John Edward Parks has remained an unresolved and troubling case for decades. The sudden and unexplained nature of his departure has led investigators to suspect that he may have been a victim of foul play. Despite the passage of time, the case continues to be an active investigation, with law enforcement agencies like the Richland County Sheriff's Office maintaining his file. The lack of concrete leads and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the last phone call he received have left his family with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. The case of John Edward Parks is a somber reminder of a young life interrupted, a story without an ending that began with a simple errand on a spring day in South Carolina.

Last Seen: Mar 28, 1982

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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 — Columbia, South Carolina
UP161944 • Found Dec 31, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%16 mi away, same state
TimingFound 40 years after last seen
Height 100%6'3" vs 6'4"–6'5"

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.