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Patrick Difrancesco Missing Person Case

Last seen in Ft. Pierce, Florida on Aug 28, 1985

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Victim Details

May 2, 2012

Jan 12, 2024

Patrick

Difrancesco

65

24

73 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Aug 28, 1985

Ft. Pierce

Florida

St. Lucie County

34950

11698

St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office

Ft. Pierce

Florida

St. Lucie County

34981

RONALD WENTZ

Sergeant

4700 West Midway Rd.., Florida

7724623353

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.stluciesheriff.com/

85-10-7590

St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office

Black

Brown

Brown

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP14618) and 7 other sources
Patrick Joseph DiFrancesco, aged 24, was last seen on August 26, 1985, in Fort Pierce, Florida. He was reportedly planning to take an overnight flight with James Johnson, a 61-year-old pilot. The two men were believed to be en route to the Bahamas or the Virgin Islands to pick up a shipment of marijuana, but neither they nor their plane were ever seen again.

DiFrancesco had a student pilot's license and was involved in smuggling drugs to supplement his income as a concrete worker. The plane they took off in belonged to Howard "Jay" Crouch Jr., who was later convicted of unrelated drug trafficking charges. DiFrancesco's brother, Tony, who has actively pursued answers, believes Patrick and Johnson might have been murdered locally, but no solid evidence has ever emerged to support this theory.

Despite rumors that DiFrancesco might have been found in a Jamaican jail, these were never substantiated. His disappearance remains unsolved, and his family continues to search for answers, hoping to bring closure to the case.
Last Seen: Aug 28, 1985

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Patrick Joseph DiFrancesco - The Charley Project
  • St. Lucie brother leads search for man missing for decades - WPTV
  • Patrick Joseph Difrancesco Obituary 1985
  • Patrick DiFrancesco – CUE – Community United Effort
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP14618
  • Fort Pierce man offers $100,000 for word of brother, missing since ...
  • James Woodford Johnson - The Charley Project

    • 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.

    78%Possible
    John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP1229
    John Doe — Florida
    UP1229 • Found Apr 30, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 24
    Race 100%White
    Location 72%117 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 months after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'1"
    Weight 93%170 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5313
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP5313 • Found Nov 3, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 15–30 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 72%116 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
    Weight 100%151 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP195
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP195 • Found May 29, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 68%136 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
    Weight 76%117 lb vs 150 lb
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP1189
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP1189 • Found Mar 30, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 72%116 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
    Weight 88%126 lb vs 150 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Broward, Florida
    UP1101 • Found Sep 30, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%86 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'1"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP1217 • Found May 16, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 72%116 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 21 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Boca Raton, Florida
    UP832 • Found Oct 10, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 22–30 vs 24
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%75 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 weeks after last seen

    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)

    Patrick Joseph DiFrancesco, 24, disappeared after he and a 61-year-old pilot, James Johnson, took... ...Read More
    02/18/2024

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