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Charles Lawson Missing Person Case

Last seen in Tampa, Florida on Jan 13, 1988

Victim Details

Mar 6, 2013

Feb 16, 2023

Charles

Lawson

80

42

69 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 13, 1988

Tampa

Florida

Hillsborough County

33617

13202

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Tampa

Florida

Hillsborough County

33619

2224 Falkenburg Road North, Florida

8132478200

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.teamhcso.com/

88-010603

Feb 12, 1988

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

Oct 6, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP19545) and 5 other sources
Charles Jonathan Lawson, 42 years old, was last seen on January 13, 1988, in Tampa, Florida. On that morning, he left his home and went to a nearby convenience store, where he called for a taxi. However, when the taxi arrived, Lawson paid for it but did not get inside. Instead, he walked away from the store and has not been seen since. His disappearance remains mysterious, with no further confirmed sightings or information about his whereabouts.

Lawson was described as a white male, approximately 5'9" tall and weighing around 150 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue polo shirt, and a light green jacket. Some sources note that the date of his disappearance is also reported as February 12, 1988, but this discrepancy has not been clarified. Despite investigations by local law enforcement, including the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, little progress has been made in solving his case, leaving it open for over three decades.

There is limited information available regarding the circumstances of Lawson's disappearance, and it remains one of Tampa's unsolved missing person cases. Investigators have urged anyone with information to come forward, but his case has seen few developments over the years, adding to the sense of frustration and mystery surrounding it.
Last Seen: Jan 13, 1988

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Charles Jonathan Lawson - The Charley Project
  • MP of the week: Charles Lawson - The Charley Project Blog
  • Charles Jonathan Lawson - The Charley Project Blog
  • Solved Cases - DNA Solves
  • Registered sex offenders in Tampa, Florida - City-Data.com

    • 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.

    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Wesley Chapel, Florida - unidentified case UP2308
    John Doe — Wesley Chapel, Florida
    UP2308 • Found Jul 16, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–65 vs 42 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Sun City Center, Florida - unidentified case UP177
    John Doe — Sun City Center, Florida
    UP177 • Found Feb 15, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 42 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP179
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP179 • Found Jun 18, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 42 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%8 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
    Weight 93%130 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP2317
    John Doe — Florida
    UP2317 • Found Jun 23, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 36–45 vs 42 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 74%103 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%154 lb vs 150 lb
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP8112
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP8112 • Found Nov 8, 2010
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 42 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%7 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 23 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
    Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP195
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP195 • Found May 29, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 78%Est. 25–40 vs 42 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%3 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 months after last seen
    Height 68%6'0" vs 5'9"
    Weight 76%117 lb vs 150 lb
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Kissimmee, Florida - unidentified case UP581
    John Doe — Kissimmee, Florida
    UP581 • Found Sep 22, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 42 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%63 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 20 months after last seen
    Height 68%6'0" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Tarpon Springs, Florida - unidentified case UP116
    John Doe — Tarpon Springs, Florida
    UP116 • Found Jan 12, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 35–60 vs 42 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Orlando, Florida - unidentified case UP576
    John Doe — Orlando, Florida
    UP576 • Found Mar 16, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 77%Est. 20–40 vs 42 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 83%71 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP196
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP196 • Found Aug 27, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 57%Est. 50–70 vs 42
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%8 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 7 months after last seen
    Height 68%6'0" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%136 lb vs 150 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Does anyone have thoughts on why Charles Jonathan Lawson would pay for a taxi and then just walk... ...Read More
    08/28/2024

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