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Johanna Brighton Missing Person Case

Last seen in Los Angeles, California on Feb 25, 1981

Victim Details

Aug 29, 2012

May 16, 2023

Johanna

Brighton

83

38

68 inches

125 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Feb 25, 1981

Los Angeles

California

Los Angeles County

No

22182

Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit

Los Angeles

California

Los Angeles County

90012

100 West 1st Street, California

8772755273

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.lapdonline.org/

82-597282

Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit

Blond/Strawberry

Green

Green

Oct 13, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP17253) and 6 other sources
Johanna Catherine Brighton, age 38, was last seen on February 25, 1981, in Los Angeles, California. At the time of her disappearance, she was working as a model and had a young son. Originally from Arkansas, she had attended the University of Arizona before pursuing her career. Johanna, who was born Catherine Crawford and went by the nickname Kay, changed her name for professional reasons in 1968. She is described as being 5'8", weighing 125 pounds, with blonde hair and green eyes. A distinguishing feature was a healed fracture to her right wrist.

Johanna's disappearance is considered suspicious, and foul play is suspected. No specific details about her last movements or the circumstances leading to her disappearance have been made public. Authorities have not been able to gather sufficient evidence to provide a clear lead, and her case remains unsolved. Her family and the Los Angeles Police Department continue to seek information to resolve this decades-old case.
Last Seen: Feb 25, 1981

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Johanna Brighton - Whereabouts Still Unknown - WordPress.com">Johanna Brighton - Whereabouts Still Unknown - WordPress.com
  • Johanna Catherine Brighton - California Department of Justice
  • 856DFCA - Johanna Catherine Brighton - Doe Network
  • Johanna Catherine Brighton - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP17253
  • Johanna Brighton missing since Feb 25, 1981 from L.A., Ca - I Care ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

    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.

    80%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP89347
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP89347 • Found Jan 16, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%18 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 41 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%110–120 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 100%Green vs Green
    80%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP4332
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4332 • Found Aug 21, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 38
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound 6 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'1"–5'6" vs 5'8"
    Weight 86%104 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP4311
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4311 • Found Feb 12, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 38
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound 12 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 88%145 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 10%Black vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Santa Ana, California - unidentified case UP7687
    Jane Doe — Santa Ana, California
    UP7687 • Found Aug 23, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%28 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
    Weight 75%97 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Valencia, California
    UP3599 • Found Jul 11, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 26–38 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%33 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4"–5'7" vs 5'8"
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — California
    UP4122 • Found Jun 15, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — California
    UP4352 • Found Feb 21, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 65%Est. 25–35 vs 38
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound same day as last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%128 lb vs 125 lb
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Compton, California - unidentified case UP131023
    Jane Doe — Compton, California
    UP131023 • Found Sep 9, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 44 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%130 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP80466
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP80466 • Found Apr 26, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound 40 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'3"–5'6" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%115–130 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — California
    UP60119 • Found Aug 4, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 74%105 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%130–155 lb vs 125 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond

    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 (3)

    Has anyone looked into the modeling agency Johanna was working with at the time? It seems strange... ...Read More
    06/27/2024
    Hey everyone, Has anyone else looked into the possibility that Johanna's modeling career might have... ...Read More
    03/11/2024
    I'm really intrigued by the case of Johanna Catherine Brighton, especially since there's very little... ...Read More
    07/20/2023

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