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Matthew Pettersen Missing Person Case

Last seen in Delray Beach, Florida on Sep 24, 2000

Victim Details

Apr 25, 2013

Feb 15, 2023

Matthew

Pettersen

47

21

68 inches

130 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Sep 24, 2000

Delray Beach

Florida

Palm Beach County

13457

Delray Beach Police Department

Delray Beach

Florida

Palm Beach County

33444

300 West Atlantic Avenue, Florida

5612437888

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.mydelraybeach.com/departments/police

00-35605/00-35778

Sep 24, 2000

Delray Beach Police Department

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

Oct 1, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP20104) and 3 other sources
Matthew Pettersen, a 21-year-old from Delray Beach, Florida, was last seen on September 24, 2000. His disappearance is believed to be the result of foul play. According to information from the investigation, two individuals confessed to murdering Pettersen and claimed that his body was disposed of in a landfill. Despite this confession, Matthew's body has never been recovered, leaving many questions unanswered and his case unresolved.

At the time of his disappearance, Matthew was described as 5'8" tall, weighing around 130 pounds, with blond hair. The case remains a heartbreaking mystery for his family, as the exact circumstances surrounding his death and the location of his remains are still unknown. Authorities continue to seek any information that might bring closure to his loved ones.

The case is still listed in missing persons databases, and investigators are asking anyone with further details to come forward to help solve the case.
Last Seen: Sep 24, 2000

Links to Additional Sources (3)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP20104
  • MISSING MAN FEARED DEAD – Sun Sentinel
  • LANDFILL IS FOCUS OF SEARCH FOR BODY - Sun Sentinel

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (9)

    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.

    81%Moderate
    John Doe — West Palm Beach, Florida
    UP7797 • Found Sep 25, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–49 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%18 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 74%100 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 100%Blond vs Blond
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Florida
    UP1045 • Found Aug 23, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%66 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 23 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Boca Raton, Florida - unidentified case UP1068
    John Doe — Boca Raton, Florida
    UP1068 • Found Nov 21, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 21
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%7 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 weeks after last seen
    Height 52%5'4" vs 5'8"
    Weight 94%113 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP1041
    John Doe — Florida
    UP1041 • Found Apr 22, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 83%72 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP6083 • Found Apr 29, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%49 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 19 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%120 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Belle Glade (unincorporated Palm Beach County), Florida - unidentified case UP57312
    John Doe — Belle Glade (unincorporated Palm Beach County), Florida
    UP57312 • Found Jan 24, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%40 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%142 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 10%Black vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5171
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP5171 • Found Feb 22, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%49 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 75%5'2"–5'9" vs 5'8"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP1031
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP1031 • Found Aug 26, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%49 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 86%152 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Bonita Springs, Florida - unidentified case UP1062
    John Doe — Bonita Springs, Florida
    UP1062 • Found Jul 12, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 21
    Race 100%White
    Location 74%106 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
    Weight 95%146 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 10%Black vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue

    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.

    Latest News

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    Forum Posts (3)

    I recently revisited Matthew Pettersen's case, and something about it bothers me. Two people... ...Read More
    10/10/2024
    Hey all, I was reading up on the case of Matthew Pettersen, missing from Delray Beach, and something... ...Read More
    05/29/2024
    Has anyone else read about the discrepancy in the timeline regarding when Matthew Pettersen was last... ...Read More
    01/27/2023

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