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Nicholas Buttle Missing Person Case

Last seen in Malibu, California on Dec 7, 2001

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Victim Details

Feb 10, 2012

Jan 12, 2024

Nicholas

Buttle

79

55

69 inches

160 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Dec 7, 2001

Malibu

California

Los Angeles County

90265

11365

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Monterey Park

California

,

001-08867-1086-400

Dec 7, 2001

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 6, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP13884) and 5 other sources
Nicholas Howard Buttle, a 55-year-old resident of Malibu, California, was last seen on December 7, 2001. He and a friend, Eric Hammer, departed from Corral Beach in a two-person kayak to perform maintenance on a yacht anchored 600 yards offshore. As they made their way back to shore, they encountered rough weather conditions due to strong winds, which had been forecasted earlier that day. During their return, Buttle was knocked out of the kayak near Dan Blocker County Beach, and despite rescue efforts, he was never seen again.

Authorities rescued Hammer later that evening, approximately three miles from the shore, suffering from hypothermia. Their kayak and paddles were recovered, but Buttle’s body was never found. Although a search was conducted by air and sea until December 8, 2001, Buttle is presumed to have drowned. Despite this, his case remains classified as an open missing person case, and his remains have never been located.
Last Seen: Dec 7, 2001

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Nicholas Howard Buttle | State of California - Department of Justice
  • Nicholas Howard Buttle - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP13884
  • Kayaker Presumed Dead - myMotherLode.com
  • 4712DMCA - Nicholas Buttle - Doe Network

    • 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.

    85%Strong
    John Doe — California - unidentified case UP3094
    John Doe — California
    UP3094 • Found Feb 11, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 55 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%31 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 85%188 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
    84%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3333 • Found Dec 20, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 52–62 vs 55
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%18 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 13 days after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–6'0" vs 5'9"
    Weight 95%180 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP13458
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP13458 • Found Oct 7, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 65–80 vs 55 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%31 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'10" vs 5'9"
    Weight 88%134 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Commerce, California - unidentified case UP13339
    John Doe — Commerce, California
    UP13339 • Found Jul 7, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 55 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%36 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%163 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP104480 • Found Mar 22, 2023
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 55 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%29 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 21 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 95%180–190 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP55211
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP55211 • Found Jan 16, 2019
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 55 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%32 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 73%198 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — California - unidentified case UP3032
    John Doe — California
    UP3032 • Found Mar 24, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 55 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%31 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%153 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP3143 • Found Jan 4, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 48–58 vs 55 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%31 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 13 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
    Weight 61%115 lb vs 160 lb
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP17010
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP17010 • Found Jul 28, 2017
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 55 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%29 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
    Weight 93%182 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Bellflower, California
    UP14872 • Found Oct 16, 2015
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60 vs 55 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%39 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 61%115 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel

    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)

    Nicholas Howard Buttle, 55, of Malibu, California, was last seen December 7, 2001. He and a friend... ...Read More
    05/27/2023

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