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James Tennison Missing Person Case

Last seen in Aitkin, Minnesota on Oct 15, 1992

Victim Details

Nov 18, 2011

Jan 9, 2024

James

Tennison

52

18

69 inches

120 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Oct 15, 1992

Aitkin

Minnesota

Aitkin County

No

31106

Aitkin County Sheriff's Office

Aitkin

Minnesota

Aitkin County

56431

217 2nd Street Northwest, Minnesota

2189277435

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.co.aitkin.mn.us/departments/public-safety/public-safety.html

92002258

Aitkin County Sheriff's Office

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

Oct 13, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP12993) and 11 other sources
On October 15, 1992, 18-year-old James "Jamie" Tennison embarked on a hunting trip with his father and a friend in the Savanna State Forest, an area familiar to them, located about three miles south and six miles in on the Hedbom Forest Road in Aitkin County, Minnesota. At some point during the day, Jamie became separated from his hunting partners. He was last seen wearing ripstop camouflage pants, a lightweight green camouflage jacket with a vest, a red-and-blue flannel shirt, and a Los Angeles Kings ball cap. He was also carrying a brand-new Remington 870 Express 12-gauge shotgun. When he failed to return, the alarm was raised, marking the beginning of a long and painful search for the young man.

In the critical days that followed Jamie's disappearance, his family, friends, and co-workers organized and conducted extensive searches through the challenging terrain of the Savanna State Forest. The area is characterized by thick, swampy brush, timber-filled woods, and floating bogs. Volunteers utilized dogs, horses, and helicopters to meticulously comb the area in a grid-style search, hoping to find any trace of the missing teenager. According to Jamie's father, Jim Tennison, the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office did not organize or participate in the ground search efforts. Despite the exhaustive 10-day search, not a single piece of his clothing or equipment was ever found. This lack of evidence was particularly puzzling, as individuals suffering from hypothermia often shed items of clothing. It appeared that wherever Jamie ended up, all of his belongings went with him.

James Anthony Tennison was described as a white male with blond hair and blue eyes, standing at 5 feet 9 inches and weighing 120 pounds. He had a noticeable scar near his right eye. The official classification of his case is "Lost/Injured Missing." Decades have passed since that autumn day in 1992, and despite the initial intensive search and ongoing investigation, there has been no sign of Jamie Tennison. The lack of any clues has left his family with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. The case remains open, a quiet and sorrowful mystery in the dense woods of Aitkin County.
Last Seen: Oct 15, 1992

Links to Additional Sources (11)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Family navigates grief after Grand Rapids teen lost in 1992
  • James Anthony Tennison - The Charley Project
  • 6223DMMN - James Anthony Tennison - Doe Network
  • Minnesota Missing and Unidentified Persons Clearinghouse
  • Vanished: Claimed by the forest | Local - MessageMedia.co
  • Vanished: Claimed by the forest | News | grandrapidsmn.com
  • James Tennison | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Unsolved Cold Cases - Facebook
  • Unsolved Cold Cases - James Anthony Tennison #Missing Since ...
  • [PDF] James Tennison - Missing Person Bulletin
  • MN - James Anthony Tennison (18) - been hunting near Savannah ...

    • 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.

    76%Possible
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota - unidentified case UP763
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota
    UP763 • Found Dec 16, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 92%Est. 30–45 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 73%110 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%131 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    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.

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Hey everyone, something that's been on my mind about James Tennison's case is the lack of items or... ...Read More
    12/22/2023
    Hey everyone, I was just reading about James Anthony Tennison's case, and something that really... ...Read More
    06/07/2023
    I recently stumbled upon the case of James Anthony Tennison, and something that's been bugging me is... ...Read More
    01/28/2023

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