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Donald Ewalt Missing Person Case

Last seen in El Centro, California on Sep 1, 1979

Victim Details

May 29, 2012

Feb 23, 2024

Donald

Ewalt

68

21

69 inches

120 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Sep 1, 1979

El Centro

California

Imperial County

No

11803

El Centro Police Department

El Centro

California

Imperial County

92243

150 North 11th Street, California

7603522111

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.cityofelcentro.org/police/index.asp?m=1&page=85

08E-13698

El Centro Police Department

Black

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 14, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP14858) and 7 other sources
Donald Cary Ewalt, 22, was last seen in El Centro, California, in early September 1979. He was reportedly in the company of three unidentified men after leaving work. Ewalt, who stood 5'9" and weighed about 120 pounds, had black hair and hazel eyes. Despite initial investigations, he has never been heard from again, and foul play is suspected in his case. His disappearance remains unsolved, and there has been little information to explain what might have happened to him.

Ewalt's case was reclassified as "endangered missing," with the Texas Department of Public Safety assisting in the investigation due to potential leads linking the case to other regions. However, despite extensive searches and analysis, no significant breakthroughs have been made. As the years have passed, investigators continue to seek any new information that could shed light on what occurred after his last known sighting. His family and authorities are still hopeful for answers in this decades-old case.
Last Seen: Sep 1, 1979

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Donald Cary Ewalt | State of California - Department of Justice
  • Donald Cary Ewalt - The Charley Project
  • 3445DMCA - Donald Cary Ewalt - Doe Network
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP14858
  • Donald Ewalt | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Donald Ewalt – The Charley Project Blog
  • Missing Person from NAMPN, 1970 to 1979 - Poli-con-deaths

    • 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 — Calexico, California
    UP15557 • Found Dec 26, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 70%150 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP15274
    John Doe — Calexico, California
    UP15274 • Found Oct 14, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%120 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP15327
    John Doe — Calexico, California
    UP15327 • Found Jun 9, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 95%135 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Calexico, California
    UP15539 • Found Oct 17, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%130 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP15296
    John Doe — Calexico, California
    UP15296 • Found Mar 11, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–25 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 58%155 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — El Centro, California - unidentified case UP15324
    John Doe — El Centro, California
    UP15324 • Found Oct 3, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%130 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Winterhaven, California
    UP15366 • Found Mar 3, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
    Weight 95%135 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Calexico, California
    UP15548 • Found Apr 16, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
    Weight 58%155 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Winterhaven, California
    UP15594 • Found Feb 16, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%130 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Winterhaven, California
    UP15618 • Found Sep 1, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 23–33 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
    Weight 70%150 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black

    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 (2)

    I’ve been looking into the disappearance of Donald Cary Ewalt from 1979 and noticed something... ...Read More
    10/03/2024
    Has anyone else been intrigued by the fact that Donald Cary Ewalt's case got assistance from the... ...Read More
    01/08/2024

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