Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP11895) and 3 other sources
Earl Atkinson, a 50-year-old man, was last seen on July 29, 1970, in Avalon, California. He had taken his small boat offshore from the Pleasure Pier with plans to have it repaired the following day. However, Atkinson never showed up for the scheduled repair, and his boat was later found adrift approximately 1.5 miles north of Avalon Bay. Despite searches, Atkinson himself was never located, and it is presumed that he was lost at sea.

The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear, as no foul play was suspected at the time, and the weather conditions did not appear to be a factor. His case has remained unsolved for decades, with the boat being the only trace left behind. The mystery of Atkinson’s disappearance is part of a string of other similar cases related to the ocean around Catalina Island, many involving boating accidents or individuals who vanished without a clear explanation.
Last Seen: Jul 29, 1970

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP58934 • Found Jul 20, 1973
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 82%74 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 150 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP17209 • Found Mar 15, 1981
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%49 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%136 lb vs 150 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — California
UP4381 • Found Mar 21, 1980
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%49 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 150 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — California
UP4433 • Found Mar 15, 1978
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 53–63 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%49 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 75%116 lb vs 150 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP4454 • Found Jan 22, 1976
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%138 lb vs 150 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP124535
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP124535 • Found Dec 30, 1977
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 83%73 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 83%122 lb vs 150 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Carson, California
UP3709 • Found Jan 1, 1994
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 70–80 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%36 mi away, same county
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 150 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Inglewood, California - unidentified case UP3770
John Doe — Inglewood, California
UP3770 • Found Nov 2, 1992
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–53 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%43 mi away, same county
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 150 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — California
UP3859 • Found May 16, 1991
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–51 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%49 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%144 lb vs 150 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — California
UP3874 • Found Dec 10, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 53 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%49 mi away, same county
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%149 lb vs 150 lb

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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