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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 (MP11644) and 3 other sources
In 1980, a young man named Mitchell 'Mitch' Todd Hein made the decision to move out of his parents' home in Golden, Colorado. For the next three years, he embraced a nomadic lifestyle, traveling extensively across the country and taking on various odd jobs. His work included rebuilding boats, working as a car mechanic, and laboring in the oil fields. His travels took him to various states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and California. Despite his transient life, Mitch maintained a connection with his family, sending them postcards from his various locations and making it a point to return home to Colorado for the Christmas holidays each year. This annual tradition brought a sense of regularity to his otherwise unpredictable life.

In December of 1982, Mitch returned to Colorado for his customary holiday visit with his family. However, his departure in early 1983 was markedly different from previous years. Sometime between January and February, he left abruptly and without saying goodbye to anyone. When he was last seen by his family, he was carrying his clothing and other belongings in a black trash bag. After leaving Colorado, a friend reported seeing him in Clinton, Oklahoma. From there, in early March 1983, he reportedly hitched a ride to California with his friend's father. Their journey led them to a hotel in Indio, California, where they stopped for the night. It was from this hotel room that Mitchell Hein walked out and was never seen or heard from again.

At the time of his disappearance, Mitchell was 22 years old and described as having a 'anti-establishment' viewpoint. There were suggestions that he may have been involved with drugs around this time. It was also reported that he had disposed of his driver's license and Social Security card, and may not have been carrying any form of identification. He was last seen wearing tattered blue jeans, a flannel shirt, and either tennis shoes or work boots. Physically, he stood at 6 feet tall and weighed around 170 pounds, with naturally curly brown or auburn hair that was described as bushy and unkempt. He also had a full beard and a large scar on one of his knees. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear, with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office continuing to seek information from the public to resolve this long-standing case.

Last Seen: Feb 1, 1983

Possible Unidentified Matches (8)

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Denver, Colorado
UP7163 • Found Oct 16, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 22
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 months after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 80%136 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Denver, Colorado - unidentified case UP7173
John Doe — Denver, Colorado
UP7173 • Found Jan 8, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–25 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Denver, Colorado - unidentified case UP13758
John Doe — Denver, Colorado
UP13758 • Found Nov 5, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 98%Est. 30–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 58%120 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Glendale, Colorado - unidentified case UP11476
John Doe — Glendale, Colorado
UP11476 • Found Feb 10, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–30 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%16 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 89%196 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Fort Collins, Colorado - unidentified case UP454
John Doe — Fort Collins, Colorado
UP454 • Found Jul 12, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%58 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Fort Collins, Colorado - unidentified case UP4813
John Doe — Fort Collins, Colorado
UP4813 • Found Sep 16, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%58 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 85%140 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Aurora, Colorado - unidentified case UP16278
John Doe — Aurora, Colorado
UP16278 • Found Dec 13, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%23 mi away, same state
TimingFound 34 years after last seen
Height 52%5'6" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 95%191 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Denver, Colorado
UP7167 • Found Jan 30, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 22 when missing
Location 99%12 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%6'1" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%157 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 60%Black 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.

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