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Elaine Lehtinen Missing Person Case

Last seen in Napa, California on Jun 14, 1976

Victim Details

Oct 24, 2011

Jan 18, 2024

Elaine

Lehtinen

81

31

60 inches

110 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Jun 14, 1976

Napa

California

Napa County

94558

No

10922

Napa Police Department

Napa

California

Napa County

94559

1539 First Street, California

7072579223

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.cityofnapa.org/323/Police-Department/

76-12448

Jun 15, 1976

Napa Police Department

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 1, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP12755) and 8 other sources
Elaine Faye Lehtinen, a 31-year-old Navy officer stationed at Mare Island Naval Base in Vallejo, California, was last seen on June 14, 1976, in her front yard in Napa, California. Elaine had served in the Navy since she was 18 and had risen to the position of officer, holding secret clearance. The following day, when she did not show up for work, her supervisor became concerned and asked a neighbor to check on her. The neighbor found her house undisturbed, with no signs of a struggle. Elaine's Navy uniform was laid out for the next day's work, and her car, bicycle, and personal belongings, including her purse and identification, were still at the house.

Despite the absence of any obvious clues, Elaine was never heard from again. There was no indication that she was facing personal or financial difficulties that might explain her disappearance. Initially, the Navy classified her as a deserter, but later she was declared legally dead in 1986. Foul play is suspected in her disappearance, but no definitive answers have emerged. Her case remains unsolved and is still under investigation by the Napa Police Department.
Last Seen: Jun 14, 1976

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Elaine Lehtinen | State of California - Department of Justice
  • Naval Officer with Secret Clearance Vanishes in 1976 - Jennifer
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP12755
  • Elaine Faye Lehtinen - The Charley Project
  • Cold Case, 1976: Missing or Murdered? | Napa Valley, CA Patch
  • ON THIS DAY: Naval Officer with Secret Clearance Elaine Faye ...
  • Elaine Lehtinen | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • 1078DFCA - Elaine Faye Lehtinen - Doe Network

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

    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.

    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5958 • Found Jun 19, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 31 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%37 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 28 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 5'0"
    Weight 100%109 lb vs 110 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — California
    UP2361 • Found Feb 10, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 31 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%52 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 29 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'3" vs 5'0"
    Weight 100%115 lb vs 110 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP125213
    Jane Doe — San Jose, California
    UP125213 • Found Oct 27, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 31 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 84%70 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'2" vs 5'0"
    Weight 75%135 lb vs 110 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP129724
    Jane Doe — San Jose, California
    UP129724 • Found Jan 23, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 31 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%77 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 45 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'0"
    Weight 100%120–125 lb vs 110 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP5932
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5932 • Found Apr 5, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 31 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%37 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'2" vs 5'0"
    Weight 100%100 lb vs 110 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown 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 (1)

    I’ve been following Elaine Faye Lehtinen’s case and something that’s been on my mind is the fact... ...Read More
    08/16/2024

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