Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP20931) and 4 other sources
In the winter of 1997, a 34-year-old woman named Sylvia Lynn Mitchell vanished from her life in Detroit, Michigan. She was last seen on February 1st of that year. At the time of her disappearance, Sylvia was described as a Black female, standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 130 pounds. She had black, medium-length hair and brown eyes. Friends and family also knew her by the nickname 'Babe'. Distinctive marks included a scar on her head and another on her leg, near the top of her heel. Her last known address was in the 3300 block of Fullerton Street in Detroit. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are scant, with official records simply stating she has not been seen since that day in 1997.

The investigation into Sylvia's disappearance is being handled by the Detroit Police Department. Her case is cataloged under the agency case number 1312030249. Over the years, details about what she was wearing or any personal items she may have had with her have remained unknown. Despite the passage of time, her case remains open. In an effort to identify her should she be found, DNA samples have been collected from her mother and son and entered into national databases.

The lack of information and the many years that have passed have left Sylvia's family with no answers about what happened to her. Her case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who go missing, leaving behind loved ones to navigate a world of uncertainty. The investigation by the Detroit Police Department continues, and anyone with information is encouraged to come forward. The overview of this case highlights a long and painful journey for a family seeking closure and the persistent, though challenging, efforts of law enforcement in the face of limited leads.

Last Seen: Feb 1, 1997

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
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP92235 • Found Dec 18, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 84%5'3" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%118 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
83%Moderate
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP8230
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP8230 • Found May 5, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
Weight 88%151 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP13144 • Found Dec 1, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 34
Race 100%Black
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — St. Clair Township, Michigan - unidentified case UP7740
Jane Doe — St. Clair Township, Michigan
UP7740 • Found May 26, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 19–35 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 91%45 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP11140 • Found Nov 29, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"
Weight 39%177 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP8270
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP8270 • Found Aug 19, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Cleveland, Ohio
UP2005 • Found Sep 23, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 76%98 mi away
TimingFound 20 months after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'5"
Weight 89%110 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Black vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP11728 • Found Oct 28, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP68363
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP68363 • Found Apr 15, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 68%5'0"–5'2" vs 5'5"
Weight 65%90–95 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP9912 • Found Jul 25, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 82%Est. 44–54 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 68%5'2" vs 5'5"
Weight 86%108 lb vs 130 lb

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.