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

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP14278) and 3 other sources
On a winter day in 1995, 42-year-old Charles David Lyons was scuba diving in the waters off of Vashon, Washington, when he tragically failed to surface. An immediate and thorough search of the air and water was launched in an attempt to find him, but sadly, no trace of Charles was ever discovered. He was wearing a wet suit, dive mask, flippers, air tanks, and a weight belt at the time of his disappearance on December 28, 1995. Charles, who was also known by the nicknames Jess Lyons or Charles James Lyons, was described as a white male, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 240 pounds. He was bald with a gray beard and had blue eyes.

The circumstances surrounding Charles's disappearance remain shrouded in mystery, with the official report simply stating that he failed to surface during a scuba dive. The extensive search efforts undertaken by authorities yielded no clues as to what might have happened to him beneath the waves. The King County Sheriff's Office is the investigating agency in charge of his case. Despite the passage of time, the case officially remains open, a poignant reminder of a day that ended in unanswered questions and heartbreak for his loved ones.

The disappearance of Charles David Lyons is a somber tale of a recreational activity that took a devastating turn. Without any witnesses to his final moments or the recovery of any of his diving equipment, investigators have been left with very little to go on. The lack of evidence has made it impossible to determine whether his disappearance was the result of an accident, a medical emergency, or something else entirely. The case serves as a solemn reminder of the inherent risks of scuba diving and the unforgiving power of the sea. The overview of this case is one of a sudden and unexplained disappearance, leaving a family without answers and a community with a lingering sense of loss.

Last Seen: Dec 28, 1995

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

75%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington - unidentified case UP16143
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP16143 • Found Sep 4, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 42 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"

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.