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Charles Anderson Missing Person Case

Last seen in Chico, California on May 22, 1981

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Victim Details

Aug 8, 2013

Jan 12, 2024

Charles

Anderson

78

33

68 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

May 22, 1981

Chico

California

Butte County

14016

Butte County Sheriff-Coroner

Oroville

California

Butte County

95965

5 Gillick Way, California

5305387404

County

Law Enforcement

http://www.buttecounty.net/sheriffcoroner/Home.aspx

C81-14557

Butte County Sheriff-Coroner

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP21370) and 5 other sources
Charles Paxton Anderson, aged 33, was last seen in Chico, California, on May 22, 1981, or possibly the early morning of May 23. He disappeared after leaving his residence, and his case has remained unsolved ever since. Anderson had borrowed a friend's Ford truck, which was later discovered with troubling evidence inside—blood stains and damage from a shotgun blast were found in the vehicle’s cab. Despite extensive investigations, Charles has never been located, and foul play is suspected.

There have been no significant breakthroughs in the decades since Anderson vanished, and his remains have never been found. Investigators and his family continue to seek answers, though the circumstances of his disappearance strongly suggest he met with violent harm. His case is still open and considered a cold case, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring closure to this unresolved mystery.
Last Seen: May 22, 1981

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP21370 - Office of Justice Programs
  • CHARLES PAXTON ANDERSON: Missing from Chico, CA - 22 May ...
  • Blood was found on the inside of the Ford truck that CHARLES P ...
  • Suzanne Thomas Case: Charles Anderson Guilty Of Murdering Teen
  • Charles Anderson and a JD found in Twenty-Nine Palms

    • 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 — Berry Creek, California - unidentified case UP13006
    John Doe — Berry Creek, California
    UP13006 • Found Nov 28, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%24 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Yankee Hill, California
    UP13007 • Found Apr 29, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%17 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Reno, Nevada - unidentified case UP2100
    John Doe — Reno, Nevada
    UP2100 • Found Jul 11, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 73%109 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 91%172 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Broderick, California
    UP7484 • Found May 12, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%80 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Reno, Nevada - unidentified case UP17321
    John Doe — Reno, Nevada
    UP17321 • Found Nov 20, 2017
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 73%109 mi away
    TimingFound 36 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%148 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Sacramento, California
    UP2400 • Found Nov 19, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 37–57 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%80 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 87%125 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 50%Red vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Marysville, California
    UP138951 • Found Sep 13, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%42 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'8" vs 5'8"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Guerneville, California
    UP79380 • Found Jul 18, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 74%105 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'8"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Willits, California
    UP78870 • Found Apr 28, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 80%84 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8"–5'10" vs 5'8"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Sausalito, California
    UP17743 • Found Feb 17, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 33–39 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 68%134 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown

    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)

    Charles Paxton Anderson was 33 when he disappeared from Chico, California, on May 22, 1981, or... ...Read More
    01/18/2024

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