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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 (MP15084) and 2 other sources
In the late winter of 2008, a sense of unease began to settle over a family in Tacoma, Washington, when Michael Jon Scott Rudy, a 45-year-old man, vanished without a trace. It was on February 28, 2008, that Michael was last seen in the city of Tacoma. A man who relied on public transportation to get around, Michael's absence was deeply felt by those who knew him. He was a man with brown hair and brown eyes, stood at 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighed around 180 pounds. At the time he went missing, he was known to wear prescription eyeglasses.

The days turned into weeks, and with no word from Michael, the concern of his loved ones grew into a heart-wrenching reality. The Tacoma Police Department was notified of his disappearance, and an official report was filed on the same day he was last seen. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance were, and remain, sparse, leaving a void of information that has been difficult to fill. The official record simply states he was last seen in Tacoma and did not own a vehicle, relying on the bus for transportation. This lack of detail has made the search for answers a challenging and often frustrating endeavor for both his family and law enforcement.

The investigation into Michael Rudy's disappearance has remained open over the years, a cold case that holds the unanswered questions of a family still hoping for closure. The case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System on June 21, 2012, several years after he was last seen, in an effort to bring wider visibility to his case. The official case number assigned by the Tacoma Police Department is 08-085 0437. The lack of any significant leads or new information has left the case in a state of prolonged suspension. This overview of the case reflects the painful reality for many families of the missing: a story without an ending, a life interrupted, and a hope that one day, answers will be found.

Last Seen: Feb 28, 2008

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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.

76%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP87994 • Found Jun 14, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 21–44 vs 45 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 180 lb
75%Possible
John Doe — Fall City, Washington
UP87184 • Found Jul 23, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 45 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown 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.