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 (MP17575) and 8 other sources
Ronald David Kruska, an 18-year-old from Saugus, California, was last seen on October 10, 1978. On that day, a friend dropped him off near Interstate 5, where he intended to hitchhike. Ronald was upset after learning that day about his biological parentage, which deeply distressed him. Despite having struggled with alcohol and marijuana use, he had recently been trying to turn his life around, with plans to join the Job Corps and attend his sister’s wedding.

Ronald, a former Saugus High School football player, was last seen wearing blue Levi’s jeans, tan sneakers, and carrying a khaki-colored backpack. He had two distinctive tattoos: a Viking warrior on his left arm and a dragon with Japanese lettering on his upper right arm. His family did not report him missing until February 1979, four months after he was last seen, as they initially believed he had left of his own accord and would return.

Despite investigations, no substantial evidence has emerged about Ronald's whereabouts. Authorities suspect he may be deceased, but his case remains unsolved. Investigators continue to seek information in the hope of bringing closure to his family.

Last Seen: Oct 10, 1978

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 — California
UP4299 • Found Aug 15, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–26 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'7"
Weight 78%130 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Blond vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
83%Moderate
John Doe — Upland, California
UP2511 • Found May 23, 1979
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 16–22 vs 18
Race 100%White
Location 88%55 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 165 lb
81%Moderate
John Doe — Santa Monica, California
UP11793 • Found May 17, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%27 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 165 lb
81%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4157 • Found Aug 23, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 14%239 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Blond vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Arcadia, California
UP4362 • Found Dec 8, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–25 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%36 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 95%144 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Hollywood, California
UP4372 • Found Jul 20, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–27 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 78%130 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
81%Moderate
Unidentified Person — Valencia, California - unidentified case UP4388
Unidentified Person — Valencia, California
UP4388 • Found Jan 26, 1980
View case
Age 85%Est. 17–35 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 90%120–140 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Blond vs Blond
81%Moderate
John Doe — Bell, California - unidentified case UP4399
John Doe — Bell, California
UP4399 • Found Sep 19, 1979
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–25 vs 18
Race 100%White
Location 93%37 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 76%129 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Mount Baldy, California
UP4410 • Found Mar 28, 1979
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–21 vs 18
Race 100%White
Location 89%52 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'10" vs 5'7"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP17010
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP17010 • Found Jul 28, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same county
TimingFound 39 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 99%182 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue

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.