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Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP10014) and 3 other sources
Larry Duane Schafer, a 34‑year‑old White male, disappeared on or around March 14, 1982, in the Mount Baldy area of the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, California. His full name, Larry Duane Schafer, appears in official records such as NamUs Case #MP10014, which notes that the date of last contact was March 14, 1982.

At the time of his disappearance, Schafer was hiking in Ice Canyon above the 5,000‑foot elevation in the Mount Baldy vicinity. He had been planning a trip to Cucamonga Peak, before proceeding to the 10,064‑foot summit of Mount Baldy itself. Schafer was an experienced hiker, having explored the San Gabriel Mountains since around age eight.

On March 14, he failed to return as scheduled to attend his birthday party. His vehicle was found parked at the Ice House Canyon Lodge parking lot. It is believed he was equipped with a blue down jacket, size 13 hiking boots, a green sleeping bag, and an orange backpack, along with full climbing and camping gear.

Search efforts were launched immediately and continued for several days, but were severely hampered by dangerous winter weather. At the time, authorities reported avalanche hazards and extremely unpleasant conditions—dropping temperatures, snow, rain, and high winds—which forced a temporary halt to ground searches. Despite an extensive three‑day search, no trace of Schafer was found.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department handled the investigation. Efforts included seeking family cooperation for DNA submission and gathering fingerprints and dental or medical records, though no identifying remains or material evidence surfaced.

To date, Larry Schafer’s disappearance remains unsolved. He has not been located, and there are no confirmed sightings or credible leads that have emerged since. His case continues to be listed in national databases of cold missing person cases.

Last Seen: Mar 14, 1982

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 — California
UP4270 • Found Jul 11, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 31–41 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%36 mi away, same county
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 84%6'3" vs 6'1"
Weight 94%165 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Fullerton, California - unidentified case UP7662
John Doe — Fullerton, California
UP7662 • Found Nov 28, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
Weight 56%247 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Carson, California
UP4138 • Found Dec 9, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%45 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Riverside, California - unidentified case UP7027
John Doe — Riverside, California
UP7027 • Found Jun 18, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
Weight 99%170 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP3941 • Found Oct 28, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 24–36 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%36 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
Weight 88%160 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4265 • Found Oct 10, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 18–38 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%36 mi away, same county
TimingFound 19 months after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'1"
Weight 88%160 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4281 • Found Apr 29, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–47 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%36 mi away, same county
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
Height 68%5'10" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%173 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Riverside, California
UP7243 • Found Jul 11, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%202 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4127 • Found Apr 10, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%36 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 68%5'10" vs 6'1"
Weight 88%160 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Long Beach, California
UP12439 • Found Sep 5, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%44 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
Weight 72%144 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Hazel 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.