Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP20891) and 5 other sources
On May 13, 2001, Samuel Gillison, a 41-year-old male, was last seen in Detroit, Michigan. He had been hospitalized for treatment of seizures. Upon his release, it was expected that he would go to his house to retrieve his birth certificate. However, Samuel never made it to his residence and has not been seen or heard from since that day. At the time he went missing, he was described as being approximately 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing between 160 and 185 pounds. He had black hair, brown eyes, and a mustache. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and jeans. A distinctive physical characteristic is that he had pins in one of his toes that were never removed.

The circumstances surrounding Samuel Gillison's disappearance are unsettling due to their abrupt nature. Following his discharge from the hospital for a known medical condition, he had a clear and simple plan: to go home. His failure to arrive at his house and the subsequent complete lack of contact with any friends or family members are the central mysteries of his case. The hours and days that followed his last sighting were filled with growing concern as the realization that he was missing became undeniable. For years, his loved ones have been left without answers, holding on to hope for his safe return.

The investigation into Samuel Gillison's disappearance has remained open for over two decades. Despite the passage of time, law enforcement and his family continue to seek information that could lead to a resolution. The case is a painful example of the ambiguous loss that families of missing persons endure, a state of limbo without closure. The details of his case, from his recent hospitalization to his intended destination, have been reviewed in the hopes of uncovering a clue that might explain his sudden vanishing. The core of the matter remains that a man, after receiving medical care, seemingly vanished on his way to what should have been the safety of his own home.

Last Seen: May 13, 2001

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP9909
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP9909 • Found Feb 12, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 78%Est. 24–39 vs 41
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 100%192 lb vs 160–185 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP11805 • Found Apr 17, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP11830 • Found Nov 11, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
82%Moderate
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP8279
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP8279 • Found Jun 24, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 89%Est. 25–40 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 89%133 lb vs 160–185 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP75179
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP75179 • Found Jul 14, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 45–70 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%10 mi away, same county
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 100%6'3" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 86%214 lb vs 160–185 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
79%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP14804
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP14804 • Found Jan 22, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 160–185 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP12328 • Found Jun 4, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 71%Est. 50–70 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 81%219 lb vs 160–185 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
79%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP8233
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP8233 • Found Apr 28, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 41
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound same day as last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 100%192 lb vs 160–185 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
78%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP10405 • Found Nov 4, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"–6'2"
78%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP11752 • Found Jul 1, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"–6'2"

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.