Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 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 (MP13670) and 4 other sources
In the spring of 1951, a 21-year-old Army veteran named Alvin Edwin Matlock, known to his loved ones as 'Bud,' disappeared from his home in Spokane, Washington. He was living a quiet life in a cabin on Brownes Mountain in Spokane County at the time he was last seen. The exact date of his disappearance remains uncertain, but it is believed to have been around March 1, 1951. His family was initially unaware that anything was amiss. It was not until he failed to arrive for their Thanksgiving celebration in November of that year that concern began to grow. This absence was out of character for Alvin, prompting his mother to drive to his cabin to check on him.

Upon her arrival, Alvin's mother discovered the cabin was empty, and both he and his vehicles were gone. The family was initially told that he had packed his belongings and moved to Alaska. For a time, his younger brother, Clyde, who was only 12 when Alvin vanished, held onto the hope that this was true. However, as years turned into decades with no word from Alvin, the family's hope turned to fear, and they began to suspect that he had met with foul play. The initial belief that he had relocated to Alaska delayed the family's realization of the gravity of the situation.

Over the years, rumors have circulated regarding the circumstances of Alvin's disappearance. One persistent story suggests he was involved in an affair with a married woman. According to this rumor, the woman's husband discovered the affair, leading to a confrontation during which Alvin was allegedly shot by the woman. It was even whispered that he had been left to die without any aid. Despite these serious allegations, the story has never been officially confirmed, and no arrests were ever made in connection with his disappearance, largely because his body was never found. The case remains an unsolved and painful mystery for his family. His brother has provided DNA samples in the hope that one day his remains might be located and identified, bringing some measure of closure to a decades-long search for answers. The investigation into Alvin 'Bud' Matlock's disappearance remains open, a silent testament to a young life cut short and a family left to grapple with the unknown.

Last Seen: Mar 1, 1951

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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.

78%Possible
John Doe — Spokane, Washington - unidentified case UP492
John Doe — Spokane, Washington
UP492 • Found Oct 25, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 42 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Spokane, Washington - unidentified case UP483
John Doe — Spokane, Washington
UP483 • Found Jul 14, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 30 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 145 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.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.