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David Whitehurst Missing Person Case

Last seen in Tampa, Florida on Apr 17, 1992

Victim Details

Sep 15, 2011

Jan 12, 2024

David

Whitehurst

74

40

68 inches

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Apr 17, 1992

Tampa

Florida

Hillsborough County

Unknown

10764

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Tampa

Florida

Hillsborough County

33619

2224 Falkenburg Road North, Florida

8132478200

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.teamhcso.com/

92-030923

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 13, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP12308) and 6 other sources
David Earl Whitehurst, aged 40, was last seen on April 17, 1992, in Tampa, Florida. On that evening, he flew out of Vandenberg Airport in a single-engine Piper PA 28-181 plane, which he had leased. His silver Dodge Stealth was found parked at the airport, with his wallet and keys still inside. Whitehurst, who had only obtained his pilot’s license the month prior, did not file a flight plan, and the weather conditions at the time were challenging for an inexperienced pilot. Search efforts by the Civil Air Patrol did not commence until April 21, making it difficult to locate him or his plane.

Whitehurst was involved in the debt collection business and owned a company called Continental Recovery Systems. He was facing professional challenges, including a decision to cancel a pending business merger and legal disputes with former employees. Additionally, there were reports that he had been threatened, and his lawyer revealed that Whitehurst felt he was being followed in the weeks before his disappearance.

Despite extensive searches, no trace of Whitehurst or his plane has been found, and his case remains unsolved. Investigators have considered the possibility of foul play, given the nature of his business dealings, but no concrete evidence has surfaced to explain his disappearance.
Last Seen: Apr 17, 1992

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP12308
  • Missing businessman's trail leads to doubt and confusion
  • David Earl Whitehurst - The Charley Project
  • Scholarship Directory - BigFuture Scholarship Search
  • Civil Air Patrol suspends search for missing pilot - Tampa Bay Times
  • Obituaries/Death Notices - VAUMC

    • 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 — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP179
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP179 • Found Jun 18, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 40 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%2 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 73%130 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP8112
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP8112 • Found Nov 8, 2010
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 40 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP2317
    John Doe — Florida
    UP2317 • Found Jun 23, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 36–45 vs 40
    Race 100%White
    Location 73%108 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%154 lb vs 170 lb
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Tarpon Springs, Florida - unidentified case UP116
    John Doe — Tarpon Springs, Florida
    UP116 • Found Jan 12, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 35–60 vs 40 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Sun City Center, Florida - unidentified case UP177
    John Doe — Sun City Center, Florida
    UP177 • Found Feb 15, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 70%Est. 55–65 vs 40 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%17 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Ocala, Florida
    UP1071 • Found Aug 9, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 40 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%86 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Ocala, Florida - unidentified case UP2911
    John Doe — Ocala, Florida
    UP2911 • Found Dec 30, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 36–45 vs 40 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 76%96 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
    Weight 89%144 lb vs 170 lb
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Orlando, Florida - unidentified case UP524
    John Doe — Orlando, Florida
    UP524 • Found Mar 4, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–65 vs 40 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%78 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 99%188 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Arcadia, Florida
    UP1057 • Found Nov 23, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 46–60 vs 40 when missing
    Race 60%Hispanic
    Location 86%63 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
    Weight 79%135 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Apopka, Florida
    UP540 • Found Dec 19, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 40 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%76 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"

    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.

    Latest News

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Has anyone looked into the aspect of David Earl Whitehurst's financial situation before he... ...Read More
    06/20/2024

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