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Matthew Gale Missing Person Case

Last seen in Half Moon Bay, California on Mar 15, 2008

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Victim Details

Jun 24, 2011

Nov 11, 2022

Matthew

Gale

86

68

72 inches

210 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Mar 15, 2008

Half Moon Bay

California

San Mateo County

10406

Marin County Sheriff's Office

San Rafael

California

Marin County

94903

1600 Los Gamos Drive #200, California

4154737250

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.marinsheriff.org/

SO08-1779

Mar 16, 2008

Marin County Sheriff's Office

White

Brown

Brown

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP11491) and 4 other sources
On March 15, 2008, Matthew Gale, a 68-year-old retired neurologist, disappeared during a sailing race in the San Francisco Bay area. Gale, along with his sailing partner Anthony John Harrow, participated in a race that began at the Golden Gate Yacht Club. Their 31-foot sailboat, *Daisy*, departed from Richardson Bay Marina that morning. The weather was difficult, with swells reaching 16 feet and winds blowing at 30 miles per hour. Despite the challenging conditions, Gale’s boat set out alongside several others. By 1:00 p.m., they had fallen behind the rest of the fleet and lost contact with the other racers.

Search efforts began when Gale’s family reported him missing six hours later. The following day, the Coast Guard discovered wreckage from *Daisy* outside the Golden Gate. Tragically, Harrow's body washed ashore at Moss Beach, San Mateo County, still wearing a life vest. However, despite extensive searches, Gale’s remains were never found. His boat had been upgraded recently but was equipped with only minimal safety gear.

Gale was a Princeton University and Columbia Medical School graduate who had a long and successful career as a neurologist before retiring. Outside of medicine, he had a passion for adventurous activities such as mountain climbing and international travel. He is presumed lost at sea, and a memorial service was held for him shortly after his disappearance.
Last Seen: Mar 15, 2008

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP11491
  • Matthew K Gale | State of California - Department of Justice
  • Coast Guard suspends search for sailor | San Francisco News ...
  • Matthew Gale Obituary (2008) - Marin Independent Journal

    • 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.

    80%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP91361 • Found Feb 5, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%191 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Milpitas, California - unidentified case UP59937
    John Doe — Milpitas, California
    UP59937 • Found Sep 29, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%29 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 13%115 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146034
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP146034 • Found Jan 22, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 68–82 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 52%5'8" vs 6'0"
    Weight 60%83–150 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    76%Possible
    John Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP57876
    John Doe — San Jose, California
    UP57876 • Found Oct 15, 2017
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 62%Est. 48–62 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%31 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 72%260 lb vs 210 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 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.

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Did anyone else find it odd that Matthew Gale's boat had minimal safety gear despite undergoing... ...Read More
    11/22/2024
    Has anyone else looked into the background of the *Daisy* before it went missing? I find it curious... ...Read More
    05/30/2024
    I’ve been following Matthew Gale's case since it happened, and I’m curious about the weather... ...Read More
    02/06/2023

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