Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 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 (MP14872) and 9 other sources
Dena Viola McHan, a 19-year-old woman, disappeared on December 6, 1981, under suspicious circumstances in Stockton, California. She was last seen in the early morning after leaving a friend's apartment in Sacramento, intending to drive home to Stockton in her canary-yellow 1974 Toyota Corolla. During her journey, Dena stopped at a gas station, where the attendant observed two men harassing her. When the attendant asked if she needed help, Dena declined, saying she would be fine. She was never seen again, and neither her nor her vehicle has ever been located.

At the time of her disappearance, Dena was a student at San Joaquin Delta College. Her family and authorities suspect foul play, as it was highly unusual for her to vanish without a trace. Despite various efforts to solve her case, including involving private investigators, no significant leads have been uncovered. Dena’s disappearance remains a cold case, and her family continues to seek answers and justice. Investigators urge anyone with information to come forward.
Last Seen: Dec 6, 1981

Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

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
Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5906 • Found Jan 7, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%61 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 89%110 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Nevada City, California - unidentified case UP85674
Jane Doe — Nevada City, California
UP85674 • Found Jul 8, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%85 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 75%5'0"–5'8" vs 5'6"
Hair 100%Blond vs Blond
76%Possible
Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP129724
Jane Doe — San Jose, California
UP129724 • Found Jan 23, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 39 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%120–125 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
75%Possible
Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP125213
Jane Doe — San Jose, California
UP125213 • Found Oct 27, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%57 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 52%5'2" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 10%Black vs Blond
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Castro Valley, California
UP14964 • Found Jan 4, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 19 when missing
Location 90%47 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"

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.