Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Howard Gratteau missing person case profile photo

Howard Gratteau Missing Person Case

Last seen in Davie, Florida on Sep 1, 1986

Victim Details

Feb 2, 2012

Jul 25, 2024

Howard

Gratteau

79

39

74 inches

200 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Sep 1, 1986

Davie

Florida

Broward County

33314

No

11319

Davie Police Department

Town of Davie

Florida

Broward County

33324

Adam Granit

Detective

1230 South Nob Hill Road, Florida

9546938200

Local

Law Enforcement

86-09-32630

Sep 1, 1986

Davie Police Department

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 15, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP13803) and 5 other sources
Howard Vaughn Gratteau, a 39-year-old air conditioning repairman from Davie, Florida, went missing on September 1, 1986. Gratteau was last seen at his home in the 6600 block of southwest 41st Street by his wife and stepdaughter at around 7:30 a.m. that morning. He had left to complete a repair job in the Honey Lakes subdivision but was expected to return within an hour for a planned sailing trip with his family. Gratteau, who was diabetic and reliant on insulin injections, had taken his insulin that morning but left without bringing any additional medication, which posed a serious health risk if he were to experience diabetic shock.

Gratteau's vehicle, a white 1985 Toyota pickup truck with a camper top and a “B&H Air Conditioning” logo, was also missing. The truck had a novelty Florida license plate that read “HOWARD2.” Despite extensive searches, neither Gratteau nor his vehicle have been located. His accounts remained untouched after his disappearance, and no credible leads emerged from the investigation. Family members speculated that he may have experienced insulin shock and gotten into a car accident.

Given the potential for Gratteau to have become incapacitated due to his medical condition, authorities conducted aerial and ground searches, especially focusing on waterways and canals in the area, but they were unsuccessful in finding any trace of him. His case remains unsolved to this day, and law enforcement continues to consider all possibilities, including the likelihood of a medical emergency causing an accident. Despite the passage of time, Gratteau's family and investigators still seek answers in this long-standing mystery.
Last Seen: Sep 1, 1986

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Howard Vaughn Gratteau - The Charley Project
  • Update on our search in a... - Sunshine State Sonar | Facebook
  • 3378DMFL - Howard Vaughn Gratteau - Doe Network
  • Howard Gratteau | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • DAVIE MAN MISSING WORKER LEFT FOR JOB, NEVER ...

    • 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.

    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP1208 • Found Mar 9, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–55 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%21 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 months after last seen
    Height 100%6'3" vs 6'2"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Boynton Beach, Florida - unidentified case UP1119
    John Doe — Boynton Beach, Florida
    UP1119 • Found Oct 5, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 46–60 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%33 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 84%6'0" vs 6'2"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5756
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP5756 • Found Feb 12, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 39–41 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%21 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'11" vs 6'2"
    Weight 97%177 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Miami Beach, Florida - unidentified case UP1123
    John Doe — Miami Beach, Florida
    UP1123 • Found Apr 14, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 46–70 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%20 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 52%5'10" vs 6'2"
    Weight 100%210 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 70%Gray vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Oakland Park, Florida - unidentified case UP1134
    John Doe — Oakland Park, Florida
    UP1134 • Found Dec 25, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 36–45 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5752
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP5752 • Found Apr 4, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 39 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%21 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 52%5'10" vs 6'2"
    Weight 62%144 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Boca Raton, Florida - unidentified case UP835
    John Doe — Boca Raton, Florida
    UP835 • Found May 7, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 39
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 months after last seen
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue

    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.

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (1)

    I’ve been down a rabbit hole looking into Howard Vaughn Gratteau's case, and one thing I've been... ...Read More
    08/31/2023

    Other Missing Cases from Davie, Florida

    Luis Orellana missing person case in Davie, Florida

    Luis Orellana

    Missing: Dec 20, 2016
    Luis Alberto Orellana, a 15-year-old, was reported missing from Davie, Florida, on December 20 ...Read More
    John OConnor missing person case in Davie, Florida

    John OConnor

    Missing: Apr 27, 1987
    On 04/27/1987 at 8:30am, O'Connor left his residence. Later that same day, O'Connor called his ...Read More
    Thomas Godwin missing person case in Davie, Florida

    Thomas Godwin

    Missing: Apr 24, 2009
    Thomas Edmonds Godwin, a 53-year-old man from Davie, Florida, went missing on April 24, 2009. He was ...Read More
    Justin Weech missing person case in Davie, Florida

    Justin Weech

    Missing: Oct 2, 2018
    Justin Weech, a 32-year-old man from Davie, Florida, was last seen on October 2, 2018. His ...Read More
    Armando Jimenez missing person case in Davie, Florida

    Armando Jimenez

    Missing: Apr 1, 2022
    Jimenez was last seen at his residence in Davie, FL in April 2022. Jimenez was not reported as ...Read More
    Hunter Gutierrez missing person case in Davie, Florida

    Hunter Gutierrez

    Missing: May 31, 2025
    Hunter Raymond Gutierrez, a 30‑year‑old man from Davie, Florida, was reported missing after he left ...Read More