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Philip Zarba Missing Person Case

Last seen in San Rafael, California on Sep 30, 1985

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Victim Details

Sep 22, 2011

Jan 12, 2024

Philip

Zarba

88

47

70 inches

180 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Sep 30, 1985

San Rafael

California

Marin County

94901

10824

San Rafael Police Department

San Rafael

California

Marin County

94901

1400 Fifth Avenue, California

4154853000

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.srpd.org/

SR04-01089

Sep 30, 1985

San Rafael Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

No

Oct 6, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP12429) and 4 other sources
Philip Michael Zarba, a 47-year-old man, was last seen on May 1, 1984, in San Rafael, California, although he was not reported missing until September 30, 1985. At the time of his disappearance, Zarba was struggling with cocaine addiction. Despite the delayed report and various rumors suggesting he may have been murdered, no evidence has been found to confirm these suspicions. His case remains unsolved, and little is known about the circumstances of his disappearance.

Zarba was 5'10" tall, weighed 180 pounds, and had brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities have his fingerprints and DNA on record, but as of now, no major breakthroughs have occurred. The San Rafael Police Department continues to investigate, and Zarba's case is listed as an endangered missing person.
Last Seen: Sep 30, 1985

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP12429
  • 503DMCA - Philip Michael Zarba - Doe Network
  • Philip Michael Zarba - The Charley Project
  • Philip Michael Zarba | State of California - Department of Justice

    • 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.

    82%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5919 • Found Apr 1, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 47 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%14 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%190 lb vs 180 lb
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP91361 • Found Feb 5, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 47 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%13 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 36 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%191 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5960 • Found Dec 25, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 60–85 vs 47 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%13 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%190 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5944 • Found Mar 30, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 60–80 vs 47 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%14 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 92%155 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5935 • Found Jan 18, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 81%Est. 30–45 vs 47 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%14 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Palo Alto, California - unidentified case UP127061
    John Doe — Palo Alto, California
    UP127061 • Found May 23, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 47 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%44 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%157–172 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Sausalito, California
    UP17718 • Found Sep 9, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 83%Est. 35–45 vs 47 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%7 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 98%160 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Gray vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5927 • Found Oct 2, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 47 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%14 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"
    Weight 92%205 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5923 • Found Oct 17, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 47 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%14 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 76%140 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — San Jose, California
    UP127425 • Found Jun 14, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 47 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%65 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 74%139 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 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 (1)

    Philip Michael Zarba was 47 when he was last seen in San Rafael, California, on May 1, 1984, but was... ...Read More
    08/21/2023

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