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Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP14363) and 3 other sources
In the autumn of 1997, a 29-year-old man named John Tibor Weisz vanished from King County, Washington, leaving behind a series of perplexing and contradictory accounts of his last known movements. Weisz, who was grappling with his mental health, was last definitively seen on November 18, 1997. On this day, his life took a turn into uncertainty, creating a void of information that has persisted for decades. He was a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing at 5'9' and weighing around 180 pounds. At the time he went missing, he was reportedly wearing a blue jacket, blue jeans, and tennis shoes, and was known to have a goatee. He also had a Bible with him. The circumstances of his disappearance are clouded by two conflicting reports, making it difficult for investigators and his loved ones to piece together his final hours.

The day before he was last seen, John had admitted himself to the West Seattle Mental Health Hospital, acknowledging his need for support. However, the following day, he declined further treatment and expressed a desire to travel, mentioning plans to visit his mother in Oregon or his father in New York. A mental health professional from the facility dropped him off at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This compassionate, yet ultimately troubling, act was one of the last confirmed sightings of Weisz. In a starkly different and more alarming account, a man matching John's description was seen running erratically down Highway 509 in Burien, an area near the airport. This individual was without a coat or shoes, a detail that paints a picture of distress and vulnerability. It remains unclear whether this sighting occurred before or after he was taken to the airport, a critical detail that could significantly alter the timeline of his disappearance.

The investigation into John Weisz's whereabouts was opened by the King County Sheriff's Office after he was reported missing on November 23, 1997. Despite their efforts, his case grew cold, with few leads to follow. The conflicting reports from the airport and the highway created a challenging puzzle with no clear starting point for a search. There was no evidence to suggest he ever boarded a flight to see either of his parents. The years have turned into decades, and the questions surrounding that November day in 1997 remain unanswered. The case of John Tibor Weisz is a poignant reminder of the complexities of missing persons cases, especially those involving individuals struggling with their mental health. It is an overview of a life interrupted, a story without an ending, and a family left in limbo, forever wondering what became of their son.

Last Seen: Nov 18, 1997

Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Issaquah, Washington - unidentified case UP8582
John Doe — Issaquah, Washington
UP8582 • Found Jan 15, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'9"
77%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington - unidentified case UP67767
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP67767 • Found Sep 6, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 52%5'5" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP68712 • Found Jan 9, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%172 lb vs 180 lb
75%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP87994 • Found Jun 14, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 21–44 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%18 mi away, same county
TimingFound 24 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 180 lb

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.