Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP17585) and 8 other sources
Michael John Olson, a 20-year-old man originally from Edina, Minnesota, went missing on December 1, 1979, in West Palm Beach, Florida. He had moved to Florida just a few weeks prior, aiming to pursue his passion for golf by working as a bag boy at the President Country Club. Olson was staying at the Howard Johnson’s hotel in West Palm Beach and regularly kept in contact with his family back in Minnesota.

On November 30, 1979, Olson spent the day playing golf and visiting a rental agency to look for a permanent place to live. That evening, he went to the Palm Beach Kennel Club with coworkers and later visited several bars, including Wild Side Lounge and Mr. G’s. Olson was reportedly sober, as he was driving his friends that night. After dropping off a friend near the racetrack at around 5:00 a.m. on December 1, he drove away in his maroon 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix and was never seen again.

When Olson didn’t show up for work later that day, his friends became concerned and checked his hotel, where they found no sign of him or his car. Olson was carrying a substantial amount of money, having recently cashed a paycheck and a check from his parents. His family believes he may have been targeted for his car or money, or potentially witnessed a crime, leading to foul play. Neither Olson nor his vehicle has ever been found, and his case remains unsolved despite continued interest over the years.

Last Seen: Dec 1, 1979

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — West Palm Beach, Florida
UP1245 • Found Dec 2, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP1261
John Doe — Florida
UP1261 • Found Sep 25, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 92%142 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
82%Moderate
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP13806
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP13806 • Found Apr 10, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 97%146 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
82%Moderate
John Doe — Ft Lauderdale, Florida - unidentified case UP1240
John Doe — Ft Lauderdale, Florida
UP1240 • Found Mar 12, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%181 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
82%Moderate
John Doe — Fort Lauderdale, Florida - unidentified case UP1254
John Doe — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
UP1254 • Found May 26, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%162 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
81%Moderate
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP16420 • Found Nov 20, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 96%145 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP17731
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP17731 • Found Oct 23, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–27 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Immokalee, Florida - unidentified case UP1294
John Doe — Immokalee, Florida
UP1294 • Found Oct 18, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 99%Est. 21–35 vs 20
Race 100%White
Location 79%87 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 96%145 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
81%Moderate
John Doe — Florida
UP1301 • Found Jul 10, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 95%Est. 21–35 vs 20
Race 100%White
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 55%115 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP140884 • Found Nov 11, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 78%130 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 60%Black 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.