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John Christoph Missing Person Case

Last seen in Madison, Wisconsin on Feb 28, 2002

Victim Details

May 31, 2012

Aug 24, 2022

John

Christoph

74

50

68 inches

70 inches

160 lbs

250 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Feb 28, 2002

Madison

Wisconsin

Dane County

53703

74537

Madison Police Department - West District

Madison

Wisconsin

Dane County

53711

Lindsey Ludden

Detective

1710 McKenna Boulevard, Wisconsin

6082430500

Local

Law Enforcement

2012-00149197

Madison Police Department - West District

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 17, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP14870) and 13 other sources
In the winter of 2002, a 50-year-old man named John Edward Christoph was last seen by his loved ones in Madison, Wisconsin, on February 28th. A United States Navy veteran, John is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing between 5'7" and 5'10" and weighing between 160 and 250 pounds. He has a few distinguishing marks, including scars on his chin and on the bridge of his forehead, with the one on his forehead sometimes described as crescent-shaped. At the time he went missing, he had a full head of hair.

Following his last sighting in Madison, it is believed that John may have traveled to the west coast of the United States, with a particular focus on Oregon or California. Some information suggests he may have specifically traveled to Portland, Oregon. As a veteran, it has been noted that he might have connections with Veterans Affairs facilities in those areas. The circumstances surrounding his travel and his reasons for heading to the west coast remain unclear. Despite the passage of time and significant family events, such as the death of his father in 2012, there has been no contact from John, deepening the mystery of his whereabouts.

The Madison Police Department is the investigating agency for John's case, and his information has been entered into national databases for missing persons. His dental records are available, and his DNA has been submitted to aid in identification efforts should he be found. Despite these measures, his case remains unsolved, and his current location is unknown. The lack of information and the years of silence have left his family with unanswered questions. His case is a poignant reminder of the enduring pain and uncertainty that surrounds the disappearance of a loved one.
Last Seen: Feb 28, 2002

Links to Additional Sources (13)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • John Edward Christoph - Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy Inc's
  • John Edward Christoph - The Charley Project
  • John Edward Christoph | State of California - Department of Justice
  • Missing Persons Cases Network - OUR GENERAL ... - Facebook
  • Madison
  • 4763DMWI - John Edward Christoph
  • 4763DMWI - John Edward Christoph - Doe Network
  • (Bringing awareness) John Edward Christoph, missing since ...
  • John Edward Christoph has been missing for 23 years ... - Facebook
  • WI- John Christoph, 50, Madison, Feb 2002 | Websleuths
  • MISSING FOR OVER 24 YEARS — WHERE IS JOHN CHRISTOPH ...
  • [PDF] John Christoph - MISSING PERSON
  • John Edward Christoph has been missing for 24 years ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (7)

    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.

    77%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP129247 • Found Oct 11, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 50 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%122 mi away
    TimingFound 19 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%188 lb vs 160–250 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP11512
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP11512 • Found May 2, 2013
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 50 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%122 mi away
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%149 lb vs 160–250 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP8357 • Found Oct 8, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 50 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 72%116 mi away
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 160–250 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Waukegan, Illinois - unidentified case UP163526
    John Doe — Waukegan, Illinois
    UP163526 • Found Apr 8, 2026
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 50 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 77%92 mi away
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%151 lb vs 160–250 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP129263 • Found Aug 16, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 50
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%119 mi away
    TimingFound 6 months after last seen
    Height 68%5'5" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 94%133 lb vs 160–250 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP78041
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP78041 • Found Oct 8, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 50 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%122 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%142 lb vs 160–250 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Summit, Illinois - unidentified case UP8588
    John Doe — Summit, Illinois
    UP8588 • Found Jan 3, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 87%Est. 55–65 vs 50 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%120 mi away
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%185 lb vs 160–250 lb
    Hair 40%Gray 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 (3)

    Is anyone looking into John Christoph's possible connections with VA hospitals out west? Considering... ...Read More
    12/21/2023
    Has anyone looked into the possibility of John being in contact with other veterans in Oregon or... ...Read More
    08/01/2023
    Has anyone looked into the details about John's scars? I find it interesting that he's described as... ...Read More
    07/30/2023

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