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 (MP19950) and 4 other sources
Christopher James Gately, a 46-year-old man, was last heard from on December 21, 2012. Prior to that, on December 12, Gately had dropped off his girlfriend at the San Francisco International Airport. Afterward, he was reported to be in Ojai, California, and possibly made his way to Los Angeles. On December 29, he attempted to make a collect call to his father, but no one was able to answer. That was the last known communication from him.

At the time of his disappearance, Gately was driving a gray and black Honda with temporary tags that expired in January 2013. He is described as having sandy brown hair, green eyes, and a distinct tattoo of a wavy braid circling his upper right arm. He stood 5'9" tall and weighed around 180 pounds. Gately was last seen wearing a t-shirt, jeans, a brown leather jacket with stripes along the shoulders, sneakers or laced ankle boots, and possibly a leather necklace.

Gately’s case remains unsolved, and few details are available regarding what might have happened after his last contact. His disappearance is being investigated by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department, but as of now, no significant leads have emerged.

Last Seen: Dec 21, 2012

Possible Unidentified Matches (8)

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 — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146018
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP146018 • Found Jan 18, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 94%Est. 48–62 vs 46 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%1 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%186 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP12220 • Found May 15, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 46
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 68%6'0" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 180 lb
82%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146037
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP146037 • Found Oct 10, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 99%Est. 48–62 vs 46 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'9"
Weight 58%127 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Milpitas, California
UP72156 • Found Jun 14, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 46 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%37 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 5'9"
77%Possible
John Doe — San Leandro, California - unidentified case UP54628
John Doe — San Leandro, California
UP54628 • Found Oct 15, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 46 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4"–5'7" vs 5'9"
76%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP91361 • Found Feb 5, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 74%Est. 60–70 vs 46 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%191 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
75%Possible
John Doe — Milpitas, California - unidentified case UP59937
John Doe — Milpitas, California
UP59937 • Found Sep 29, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 82%Est. 55–70 vs 46 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%37 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 84%5'11" vs 5'9"
Weight 39%115 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 70%Hazel vs Green
75%Possible
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP17640 • Found Apr 28, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 46
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'8" vs 5'9"

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.