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 (MP12347) and 9 other sources
Austin Jay Smith, a 23-year-old from El Monte, California, was last seen on March 23, 1993. That evening, Austin left home to meet with his former boss at the Rosemead High School auditorium, where he planned to borrow equipment for his disc jockey work. Despite concerns from his family and girlfriend due to his strained relationship with the boss, Austin went to the meeting. His girlfriend later noticed Austin's truck parked next to his boss's vehicle at the school. When she tried to check on him, the boss refused to let her in. Later that night, both vehicles were still at the location.

Austin was never seen again after this encounter. His truck was found the next day, abandoned near a dumpster a few blocks away. Investigators discovered a small amount of blood in the auditorium, but it was mistakenly discarded. Suspicion fell on Austin’s former boss, particularly after learning that Austin had written a letter accusing him of financial misconduct, leading to threats from the boss. Despite being the primary suspect, no charges have been filed due to insufficient evidence and the lack of Austin’s body.

Austin was described as a responsible, outgoing young man who took care of his widowed mother. He had been studying at Citrus College and working toward a career in accounting. His disappearance remains unsolved, and authorities believe he may have been the victim of foul play on the night he went missing.

Last Seen: Mar 23, 1993

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — Brea, California
UP7681 • Found Feb 28, 1993
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 23
Race 100%White
Location 99%13 mi away, same state
TimingFound same day as last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 38%89 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP3710 • Found Dec 19, 1993
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 22–32 vs 23
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 91%120 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
82%Moderate
John Doe — Long Beach, California
UP3613 • Found Apr 23, 1995
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–25 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 90%161 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Camp Pendleton, California
UP58779 • Found Oct 12, 1994
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–24 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 19 months after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'7" vs 5'6"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP2984
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP2984 • Found May 14, 2007
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–43 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%107–140 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Glendale, California
UP3121 • Found Nov 16, 2003
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Sex ✓Male
Age 97%Est. 34–44 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%13 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 140 lb
81%Moderate
John Doe — Rancho Cucamonga, California - unidentified case UP2525
John Doe — Rancho Cucamonga, California
UP2525 • Found Aug 16, 1996
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%149 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP10667
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP10667 • Found Mar 10, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 23
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 86%164 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP137125
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP137125 • Found Nov 16, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%14 mi away, same county
TimingFound 32 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 99%155 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP162583
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP162583 • Found Jul 1, 2026
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away, same county
TimingFound 33 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2"–5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%137 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue

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.