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 (MP18102) and 5 other sources
In the autumn of 1976, a young man named David Alan Watson, just 18 years old, disappeared from his home in Arlington, Virginia. On the afternoon of November 10th, he set out on foot to visit a friend who lived nearby. David, described as a Caucasian male with shoulder-length brown hair and green eyes, was wearing what was typical for the era: bell-bottom jeans, a jean jacket, and a brown leather belt with a prominent buckle. He also had a distinctive homemade tattoo on his right bicep of his initials, 'D.A.W.,' with a scroll design underneath. He left his residence around 4:30 p.m., but he never made it to his friend's house and was never seen or heard from again. His departure into the crisp November air marked the beginning of a mystery that would stretch on for decades, leaving his family and community with unanswered questions.

The initial investigation into David's disappearance yielded few clues. Law enforcement was notified, and a case was opened with the Arlington County Police Department. Despite their efforts, the trail quickly went cold. There were no signs of foul play at his home, and no witnesses came forward with information about his whereabouts after he left. The circumstances surrounding his vanishing were perplexing; he was simply gone. Over the years, his case has been shared by various organizations dedicated to finding missing persons, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Age-progressed photos have been created and circulated, showing what David might look like as he aged, in the hope that someone might recognize him.

Decades have passed since David Watson was last seen, and his case remains an unresolved and poignant story of loss. The lack of any significant leads or new information over such a long period has been agonizing for those who knew him. His family has endured years of uncertainty, holding onto the hope that one day they might learn what happened to him. The case is a stark reminder of the lasting impact a disappearance has on a family and a community. While the official investigation remains open with the Arlington County Police Department, the passage of time has made the likelihood of finding definitive answers increasingly challenging. The story of David Alan Watson is one of a young man who seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving behind a void and a collection of unanswered questions that have echoed through the years.

Last Seen: Nov 10, 1976

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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Washington, District of Columbia
UP13436 • Found Dec 8, 2004
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%152 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Washington, District of Columbia
UP73642 • Found Apr 26, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–37 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Manassas, Virginia - unidentified case UP6305
John Doe — Manassas, Virginia
UP6305 • Found Jul 30, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Ashton, Maryland
UP2080 • Found Oct 15, 1983
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–29 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 79%180 lb vs 140–150 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP17493
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP17493 • Found Jul 8, 1977
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 16–18 vs 18
Race 100%White
Location 70%125 mi away
TimingFound 8 months after last seen
Height 75%5'6"–6'1" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Riverdale, Maryland
UP10223 • Found May 9, 2009
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away
TimingFound 32 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%129 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
78%Possible
John Doe — Fort Washington, Maryland
UP902 • Found Jan 4, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–18 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
78%Possible
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP2717 • Found Sep 19, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%38 mi away
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%141 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Potomac, Maryland
UP4974 • Found Mar 11, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–19 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"–5'8"
78%Possible
John Doe — Ruther Glen, Virginia - unidentified case UP6301
John Doe — Ruther Glen, Virginia
UP6301 • Found Nov 10, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%68 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%125–145 lb vs 140–150 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.