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 (MP17201) and 3 other sources
In the small community of Friendship, Tennessee, a story of quiet disappearance began to unfold in the early 1960s. Robert Lewis Sands, a 34-year-old man, was last in contact with his mother sometime in 1960. While an exact date of August 24, 1960, is associated with his case, the circumstances surrounding his last known whereabouts are vague, with his mother simply losing contact with him during that period. At the time he went missing, Robert was described as being between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing between 150 and 200 pounds, with brown hair.

The years stretched into decades with no word from Robert, leaving his family with unanswered questions. The case of Robert Lewis Sands is marked by a profound lack of information, making the efforts to understand what happened to him incredibly challenging. Details about his life, his activities around the time he vanished, and any potential reasons for his disappearance have remained elusive. The passage of time has further complicated the investigation, as memories fade and potential leads grow cold. His case is noted as one of the oldest unsolved missing person cases in the state of Tennessee.

The investigation into Robert's disappearance was officially filed with the Crockett County Sheriff's Office. Over the years, his case was entered into national databases for missing persons in the hope that new information might surface. A photograph, taken around 1958, shows a glimpse of the man known as Robert Lewis Sands, offering a face to the name that has been on a list of the missing for so long. Despite the considerable amount of time that has passed, the case remains a quiet, unresolved chapter in the history of Crockett County. The lack of available details paints a somber picture of a man who seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving behind a mystery that has endured for over six decades.

Last Seen: Aug 24, 1960

Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

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.

77%Possible
John Doe — DeKoven, Kentucky
UP16003 • Found Aug 14, 1971
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 69%132 mi away
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'10"
Weight 100%145 lb vs 150–200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Memphis, Tennessee
UP13955 • Found Jul 26, 1999
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 70–80 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%69 mi away, same state
TimingFound 39 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"–5'10"
Weight 82%117 lb vs 150–200 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Jackson, Tennessee
UP12418 • Found Oct 22, 1993
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away, same state
TimingFound 33 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'10"
76%Possible
John Doe — Memphis, Tennessee
UP153141 • Found Apr 19, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%69 mi away, same state
TimingFound 34 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"–5'10"
Weight 100%136 lb vs 150–200 lb
Hair 100%Brown 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.