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 (MP9606) and 3 other sources
Dat Tat Tran, a 36-year-old student at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), went missing on March 29, 1997, under mysterious circumstances. Tran told his landlady he planned to take a trip "up north" during spring break. He initially rented a car in San Diego, but on March 31, he rented another vehicle from a rental agency in Washington state. This second car was never returned and was later reported stolen by the rental company.

Several months after his disappearance, on July 22, 1997, the vehicle rented in Washington was discovered abandoned in a hotel parking lot. It had reportedly been there for three to four months. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement, Tran's whereabouts remain unknown, and he has not been in contact with friends or family since the time he disappeared.

The circumstances surrounding Tran’s disappearance are unclear, and there are few concrete leads in the case. Investigators continue to search for answers, but as of now, Tran's case remains an unsolved missing persons case under the jurisdiction of the San Diego Police Department.

Last Seen: Mar 29, 1997

Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

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.

76%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP58402
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP58402 • Found Jun 10, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%Asian
Location 75%102 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2"–5'6" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%134 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3344 • Found Aug 3, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 69%Est. 45–60 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%Asian
Location 74%107 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
Weight 94%158 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Anaheim, California - unidentified case UP13966
John Doe — Anaheim, California
UP13966 • Found Jul 16, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%Asian
Location 81%79 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'5"
Weight 58%99 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
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.