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Gus Hoffman Missing Person Case

Last seen in San Jose, California on Jul 4, 1978

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Victim Details

Feb 14, 2014

Jul 14, 2024

Gus

Hoffman

68

20

68 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jul 4, 1978

San Jose

California

Santa Clara County

14885

San Jose Police Department

San Jose

California

Santa Clara County

95110

Maureen Burden

Missing Persons

201 West Mission Street, California

4082778900

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.sjpd.org/

78-187-9614

San Jose Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP23522) and 9 other sources
Gus Henry Hoffman Jr., a 20-year-old from San Jose, California, disappeared on July 4, 1978. Gus was last seen leaving his parents' house around 5:00 p.m., riding a recently restored 1966 Harley-Davidson Sportster. While he wasn't a regular motorcycle rider, restoring vintage motorcycles had become a hobby of his. On the day he vanished, Gus showed the restored bike to his brother before taking it out for a ride. He never returned, and both he and his motorcycle disappeared.

Witnesses reported seeing Gus with two men from a local motorcycle gang who were threatening him with chains. Shortly afterward, the men followed him. A long investigation revealed that Gus had likely been abducted, taken to a garage in San Jose, and brutally tortured and murdered by members of the gang. His body was never recovered, but witnesses eventually came forward, leading to the conviction of several gang members in 1990, more than a decade after Gus's disappearance.

Despite the convictions, Gus's remains and his motorcycle were never found. The case is still considered an unresolved missing person case, though authorities are convinced foul play was involved.
Last Seen: Jul 4, 1978

Links to Additional Sources (9)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Gus Henry Hoffman Jr. - The Charley Project
  • The Horrible Hunt : Her Son's Disappearance Sent Rose Hoffman ...
  • Gus Hoffman | Unsolved Mysteries Wiki - Fandom
  • 3297DMCA - Gus Henry Hoffman - Doe Network
  • Mother's Search Ends With 3 Guilty Verdicts : Justice: She spent 10 ...
  • Chapter 69: Two Cases from July 1978 - Booksie
  • Gussie Hoffman - International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Gus Hoffman Jr. was last seen in San... - Unsolved Mysteries
  • Unsolved Mysteries - Missing: Gus Hoffman Jr. If you have any ...

    • 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.

    84%Moderate
    John Doe — Unincorporated, California
    UP10662 • Found Jun 7, 1978
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%29 mi away, same state
    TimingFound same day as last seen
    Height 68%5'11" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — San Martin, California
    UP123466 • Found Apr 13, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%23 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%155 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5872 • Found Oct 16, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%42 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%153 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Burlingame, California
    UP9898 • Found Oct 5, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 33–46 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%31 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%142 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Sacramento, California
    UP2404 • Found May 12, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 87%57 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%145 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%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 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%42 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%137 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Sacramento, California
    UP2398 • Found Aug 11, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 78%91 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%149 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4946 • Found Sep 8, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–22 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%51 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — California - unidentified case UP17689
    John Doe — California
    UP17689 • Found May 10, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 83%70 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 93%170 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — San Jose, California
    UP127425 • Found Jun 14, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%139 lb vs 150 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Gus Henry Hoffman Jr., 20, vanished from San Jose on July 4, 1978. He was last seen leaving his... ...Read More
    11/18/2023

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