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Pete Campbell Missing Person Case

Last seen in Downey, California on Jan 16, 1973

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Victim Details

Mar 23, 2012

Apr 4, 2018

Pete

Campbell

74

21

72 inches

155 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 16, 1973

Downey

California

Los Angeles County

90242

11565

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Monterey Park

California

,

073-00197-0398-400

Jan 18, 1973

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Red/Auburn

Blue

Blue

Oct 2, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP14283) and 1 other source
Pete David Campbell, a 21-year-old from Downey, California, was last seen on January 16, 1973. He left home to go lobster fishing near San Clemente Island. His boat was later found abandoned near Catalina Island, but there was no sign of Pete. Despite extensive searches of the area, no trace of him was ever discovered. At the time of his disappearance, Pete was described as a white male with red curly hair, blue eyes, and freckles. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed around 155 pounds.

Authorities initially suspected that Pete may have drowned, but no conclusive evidence was found to support this. His disappearance remains a cold case, and any new leads or information could be crucial in solving this decades-old mystery.
Last Seen: Jan 16, 1973

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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  • 1973 Vanishing….Mikie Benedict talks about missing daughter ...

    • 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 — Walnut, California
    UP3873 • Found Jan 4, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%17 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 155 lb
    Hair 100%Red vs Red
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Wilmington, California - unidentified case UP72085
    John Doe — Wilmington, California
    UP72085 • Found Apr 22, 1973
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 21
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 months after last seen
    Height 75%5'2"–5'10" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%135–160 lb vs 155 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Red
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP12439 • Found Sep 5, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%144 lb vs 155 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Red
    Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP8840 • Found Jun 18, 1974
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 months after last seen
    Height 84%6'2" vs 6'0"
    Weight 83%184 lb vs 155 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Red
    Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Carson, California
    UP4138 • Found Dec 9, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 88%180 lb vs 155 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Red
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4343 • Found Apr 19, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 22–28 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Hair 50%Brown vs Red
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4441 • Found Jun 27, 1977
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%145–165 lb vs 155 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Red
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Wilmington, California - unidentified case UP4465
    John Doe — Wilmington, California
    UP4465 • Found Feb 6, 1973
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 21
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 weeks after last seen
    Height 68%5'5"–5'9" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%135–160 lb vs 155 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Red
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP13324
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP13324 • Found Sep 6, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 42 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 79%187 lb vs 155 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Red
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP3051 • Found Dec 3, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 39–49 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%13 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 33 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 88%180–210 lb vs 155 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Red

    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 (1)

    Does anyone else find it strange how Pete's boat was found near Catalina Island, but he vanished... ...Read More
    05/24/2023

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