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James Welter Missing Person Case

Last seen in Ocean Springs, Mississippi on Jan 1, 1986

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Victim Details

Jul 27, 2012

Jan 12, 2024

James

Welter

74

34

65 inches

70 inches

155 lbs

165 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 1, 1986

Ocean Springs

Mississippi

Jackson County

39564

No

12035

Air Force OSI

Quantico

Virginia

,

407-C-085-A-2856504254192

Jan 6, 1986

Air Force OSI

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP15624) and 11 other sources
James Michael Welter, a 34-year-old man from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, went missing on January 1, 1986. At the time of his disappearance, he was a Staff Sergeant stationed at Keesler Air Force Base. Welter vanished shortly after being arrested for driving under the influence following a minor accident on New Year’s Day. After posting bond, he was scheduled to appear in court on January 15, 1986, but never showed up. He also failed to return to duty at Keesler, leading the Air Force to mark him as Absent Without Leave (AWOL) on January 8.

Welter left behind many of his personal belongings, including his checkbook, savings book, and passport. His blue 1978 Ford Grenada was later found being driven by another man, who claimed to have purchased it through a salvage bond. Despite efforts from both law enforcement and private investigators hired by his family, there have been no confirmed sightings or use of Welter's Social Security number since his disappearance.

Some investigators speculate that Welter may have assumed a new identity and relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana, with a girlfriend. However, this theory has never been verified. He was legally declared dead in 2002, and his family held a memorial service in his honor. Despite this, his case remains unsolved, with his family still seeking answers.
Last Seen: Jan 1, 1986

Links to Additional Sources (11)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • James Welter — MissingSippi
  • 4078DMMS - James Michael Welter - Doe Network
  • James Michael Welter - The Charley Project
  • It has now been THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS since James Welter ...
  • Jimmy Welter | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • James Michael Welter
  • 1986 James Michael Welter 01-01-1986 - Ms Missing And Uid
  • Missing James Michael Welter age 34 5'7 Ocean Springs ... - YouTube
  • MS - James Michael Welter, 34, Ocean Springs, Jan 1986
  • Missing Person James Michael Welter (1950-unknown) - Find a Grave

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (9)

    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.

    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Vancleave, Mississippi - unidentified case UP56236
    John Doe — Vancleave, Mississippi
    UP56236 • Found Dec 5, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'10" vs 5'5"–5'10"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Saucier, Mississippi
    UP11594 • Found Jan 29, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 53%Est. 18–30 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%24 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"–5'10"
    Weight 89%130 lb vs 155–165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Mississippi
    UP3802 • Found May 23, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%41 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'5"–5'10"
    Weight 100%145 lb vs 155–165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Dauphin Island, Alabama - unidentified case UP53951
    John Doe — Dauphin Island, Alabama
    UP53951 • Found Sep 14, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%44 mi away
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1"–5'7" vs 5'5"–5'10"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Slidell, Louisiana
    UP15084 • Found Dec 10, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%60 mi away
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'5"–5'10"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Mississippi
    UP13189 • Found Sep 3, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 84%6'0" vs 5'5"–5'10"
    Weight 95%185 lb vs 155–165 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Louisiana - unidentified case UP2160
    John Doe — Louisiana
    UP2160 • Found Oct 4, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 26–36 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 76%96 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"–5'10"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Sorrento, Louisiana - unidentified case UP2077
    John Doe — Sorrento, Louisiana
    UP2077 • Found Jun 13, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%122 mi away
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'5"–5'10"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Louisiana
    UP14667 • Found Nov 8, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 49–73 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 80%81 mi away
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'5"–5'10"
    Weight 100%170 lb vs 155–165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown 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 (1)

    James Michael Welter, 34 and stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, disappeared on January 1, 1986... ...Read More
    11/14/2024

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