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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 (MP18539) and 10 other sources
On May 29, 1976, a 26-year-old man named Daniel Richard Poirier was last seen in Marshfield, Massachusetts. He had embarked on a boating trip with his girlfriend and another couple, and it is believed that they were involved in a tragic accident on the water. While the remains of two of the individuals were eventually recovered, the fate of Daniel Poirier and his girlfriend, Elaine Kwiatkowski, has remained a painful mystery for their families for decades. The lack of definitive answers has left a void, with lingering questions about the events of that day and what ultimately became of the two who were never conclusively found.

The boating party consisted of Daniel Poirier, Elaine Kwiatkowski, Jana Coonan, and David Hodgdon. It is understood that they set out for what should have been a pleasant excursion on the water, but the day took a devastating turn. The exact circumstances of the boating accident are not widely known, but it is presumed to have resulted in the deaths of all four individuals. In the aftermath of the incident, the bodies of Jana Coonan and David Hodgdon were recovered from the water, bringing a tragic certainty to their loved ones. However, the search for Daniel and Elaine was not met with the same grim resolution, leaving their families to grapple with the profound uncertainty of their loss.

The passage of time has not brought clarity to the disappearance of Daniel Poirier. A significant point of confusion in the case arose in October 1976, when a body was discovered that was initially believed to be Daniel's. However, this identification was beset with inconsistencies, including the clothing found on the body and the condition of a wallet, which cast serious doubt on the initial conclusion. This ambiguity has meant that for many, including law enforcement and missing persons organizations, Daniel Poirier is still officially considered a missing person. This unresolved aspect of the case is a central element of the family's long-standing anguish. The official narrative of the case is one of a suspected accident with two of the four victims recovered. The lingering questions about the body found in October 1976 and the complete absence of any trace of Elaine Kwiatkowski have made this a particularly difficult case for those left behind, a story without a final chapter.

Last Seen: May 29, 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.

79%Possible
John Doe — Revere, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14115
John Doe — Revere, Massachusetts
UP14115 • Found Aug 12, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–6'0"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 180–200 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP16439
John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts
UP16439 • Found Jul 25, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 5'6"–6'0"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 180–200 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
UP57694 • Found Feb 18, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 43 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–6'0"
Weight 100%162 lb vs 180–200 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15715
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
UP15715 • Found Jul 20, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60–65 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%26 mi away, same state
TimingFound 40 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'6"–6'0"
Weight 100%181 lb vs 180–200 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15890
John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts
UP15890 • Found May 2, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–60 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%28 mi away, same state
TimingFound 40 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'6"–6'0"
Weight 96%157 lb vs 180–200 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14725
John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts
UP14725 • Found Dec 13, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 44–46 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 34 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'6"–6'0"
Weight 100%182 lb vs 180–200 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — North Attleborough, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15501
John Doe — North Attleborough, Massachusetts
UP15501 • Found Apr 11, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%34 mi away, same state
TimingFound 31 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"–6'0"
Weight 92%153 lb vs 180–200 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14202
John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts
UP14202 • Found Oct 28, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away, same state
TimingFound 24 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11"–6'5" vs 5'6"–6'0"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 180–200 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14758
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
UP14758 • Found May 31, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%26 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Weight 100%200 lb vs 180–200 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Smithfield, Rhode Island - unidentified case UP12497
John Doe — Smithfield, Rhode Island
UP12497 • Found Jun 18, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%43 mi away
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"–6'0"
Weight 55%122 lb vs 180–200 lb

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.