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Marvin Clark Missing Person Case

Last seen in Tigard, Oregon on Oct 30, 1926

Victim Details

May 3, 2012

Jan 8, 2024

Marvin

Clark

169

69

67 inches

68 inches

150 lbs

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Oct 30, 1926

Tigard

Oregon

Multnomah County

No

11704

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

Portland

Oregon

Multnomah County

97214

Lee Gosson

Detective Sgt.

501 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite 350, Oregon

5039884300

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.mcso.us/site/

86-4910

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Sep 30, 2026


Area Last Seen:

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Marvin Clark of Tigard missing - for 92 years

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP14632) and 8 other sources
In the autumn of 1926, a chapter of a family's history was left unfinished when 69-year-old Marvin Alvin Clark vanished. On October 30th, he departed from his home in the Tigard, Oregon area, with the intention of visiting his daughter in Portland. He was seen taking a 'motor stage' for the roughly 10-mile journey but never reached his daughter's residence. A man who was well-known in his community, Clark had resided in Tigard for about 15 years and was the former town marshall of Linnton. His familiarity with the local area, including the region above the St. Helens Highway, made his disappearance all the more perplexing to those who knew him. Compounding the concern was Clark's physical condition; he was partially paralyzed on his right side, which caused him to walk with a noticeable limp or a 'halting gait' and he may have used a cane.

The days following his failure to arrive were filled with growing anxiety for his family. A frantic search was initiated, and his daughter offered a $100 reward for any information that could lead to his whereabouts. Descriptions of Clark were circulated, noting he was wearing a dark suit, wire-rimmed eyeglasses, and leather 'high top' boots at the time of his disappearance. Despite these efforts and the distinctiveness of his walk, no credible leads emerged. The initial investigation, which included notifying police across the Pacific Northwest, failed to uncover any trace of the missing man. The passage of time did little to shed light on the mystery, and the case grew cold, leaving his loved ones with unanswered questions.

Decades later, a significant development offered a glimmer of hope, however brief. In 1986, the skeletal remains of an unidentified male were discovered by loggers in a wooded area in northwest Multnomah County. The location and the estimated time of death seemed to align with Clark's disappearance, leading to speculation that the long-unsolved case might finally be closed. However, forensic analysis estimated the age of the remains to be between 35 and 55 years old, younger than Clark's age at the time he went missing. In 2018, this possibility was definitively put to rest when DNA testing confirmed that the remains were not those of Marvin Clark. His case, considered one of the oldest active missing person investigations in the United States, remains unresolved. The story of Marvin Clark is a poignant reminder of the enduring pain and uncertainty that surrounds a person's disappearance, a mystery that has now spanned generations.
Last Seen: Oct 30, 1926

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Disappearance of Marvin Clark - Wikipedia
  • Mystery Oregon Corpse Could be Oldest Missing Man Marvin A. Clark
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP14632
  • Marvin Clark of Tigard missing - for 92 years - YouTube
  • The Disappearance of Marvin Clark, America's Oldest Active Missing ...
  • Missing: Marvin Clark ////// 645 - True Crime Garage
  • Could case of missing Marvin A Clark finally be solved? - Daily Mail
  • UNSOLVED Investigation That Went COLD..(Marvin Clark) - Spotify

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    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.

    75%Possible
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP9989
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon
    UP9989 • Found Jan 16, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 69 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%4 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 71 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"–5'8"
    Weight 76%115 lb vs 150–170 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.

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    Forum Posts (3)

    I’ve always found the Marvin Clark disappearance fascinating, especially given how it bridges the... ...Read More
    11/02/2024
    I've always been fascinated with Marvin Alvin Clark's case, especially the bit about the skeletal... ...Read More
    10/08/2023
    I was revisiting Marvin Alvin Clark's case today and can't stop thinking about the stagecoach... ...Read More
    08/08/2023

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