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Sean Phelan Missing Person Case

Last seen in Tustin, California on Oct 1, 1981

Victim Details

May 7, 2013

May 11, 2022

Sean

Phelan

66

21

70 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Oct 1, 1981

Tustin

California

Orange County

13514

Orange County Sheriff's Department

Santa Ana

California

Orange County

92703

550 North Flower Street, California

7146477000

County

Law Enforcement

www.ocsd.org

685-211

Feb 15, 1983

Orange County Sheriff's Department

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 10, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP20204) and 7 other sources
Sean Kenneth Phelan, a 21-year-old from Tustin, California, was last seen on October 1, 1981. He checked out of the Six Pence Inn in Tustin, and has not been heard from since. At the time, Sean was reportedly dealing with personal issues, including depression following a recent divorce and family problems. He was known to hitchhike frequently, traveling from Southern California up to Washington state, and it is possible that he may have been doing so when he disappeared.

Sean is described as 5'10", 150 pounds, with light brown hair and blue eyes. He has several distinctive scars: a one-inch scar near his left eye, a two-inch scar on his left index finger, and another on his left ankle. Authorities have noted that Sean may have used the alias "Sean Getty." Despite efforts by law enforcement and his family, no significant leads have emerged, and his case remains unsolved.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate Sean's disappearance, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the department.
Last Seen: Oct 1, 1981

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Sean Phelan | Orange County California - Sheriff's Department">Sean Phelan | Orange County California - Sheriff's Department
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP20204
  • Sean Kenneth Phelan - The Charley Project
  • Sean Kenneth Phelan | State of California - Department of Justice
  • Sean Phelan | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • 1019DMCA - Sean Kenneth Phelan - Doe Network
  • Missing: Sean Kenneth Phelan - 411 Gina

    • 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 — Long Beach, California
    UP4240 • Found Apr 18, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–26 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–6'3" vs 5'10"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP3920 • Found Feb 3, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 19–29 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%32 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%139 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — South El Monte, California
    UP11313 • Found Sep 5, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%25 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%146 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Marina del Rey, California
    UP4185 • Found Oct 9, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%40 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%145 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4260 • Found Dec 15, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%32 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%149 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4291 • Found Nov 9, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–28 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%32 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 97%133 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Orange, California - unidentified case UP7680
    John Doe — Orange, California
    UP7680 • Found Oct 14, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 32–37 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%7 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    Weight 39%204 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP3941 • Found Oct 28, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 24–36 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%32 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4120 • Found Jun 23, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%32 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Bloomington, California - unidentified case UP2613
    John Doe — Bloomington, California
    UP2613 • Found Jun 20, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 88%Est. 15–20 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%33 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 21 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%146 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    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)

    It's so puzzling how someone can just vanish without a trace. I've been thinking about Sean Kenneth... ...Read More
    07/07/2024
    Does anyone have any details on the possibility of Sean Kenneth Phelan using the alias "Sean Getty"?... ...Read More
    08/10/2023
    Has anyone else read about the possible alias "Sean Getty" that Sean Phelan might have been using?... ...Read More
    07/22/2023

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