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

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP20652) and 10 other sources
John Patrick Deeny, a 19-year-old from Janesville, Minnesota, was last seen leaving his home on March 20, 1973. Since that day, he has never been heard from again, and his disappearance remains a mystery. At the time he went missing, John was 5'7" to 5'8" tall and weighed approximately 175 pounds. He had brown hair and distinctive surgical scars on his thighs, resulting from a surgery he underwent as an infant.

Despite efforts to locate him, very little information has emerged over the decades. There were no clear leads or sightings after he left his residence, and no further details have surfaced regarding what may have happened to him. His case remains open and unsolved, with the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office continuing to handle the investigation. DNA is available in his case, but no matching results have been found to date.

John's disappearance remains one of Minnesota's long-standing cold cases, with law enforcement still seeking any information that might help bring answers to his family.

Last Seen: Mar 20, 1973

Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

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.

78%Possible
John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota
UP124186 • Found Sep 25, 1995
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%43 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
Weight 98%156 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota - unidentified case UP763
John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota
UP763 • Found Dec 16, 2003
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%43 mi away, same state
TimingFound 31 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 70%131 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — St Paul, Minnesota
UP148173 • Found May 23, 2025
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%46 mi away, same state
TimingFound 52 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 96%154 lb vs 175 lb
75%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP128976
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP128976 • Found Nov 20, 1992
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 40%347 mi away
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 42%114 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Scar: surgery, thigh
75%Possible
John Doe — Burnsville, Minnesota - unidentified case UP4743
John Doe — Burnsville, Minnesota
UP4743 • Found Aug 24, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away, same state
TimingFound 32 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 57%123 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Prior Lake, Minnesota
UP4815 • Found Sep 27, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same state
TimingFound 31 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
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.