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 (MP8658) and 4 other sources
Thomas Patrick McLaughlin, a 52-year-old man, was last seen on May 29, 2005, in San Diego, California. Just six days prior, he had moved into a board and care facility, but on the day he disappeared, he left without informing anyone of his whereabouts. McLaughlin's family described a period leading up to his disappearance where he exhibited erratic behavior and an intense focus on religious themes and apocalyptic ideas.

After he went missing, his blue 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe was towed on June 3, 2005, from a location in northern San Diego County, where it had been parked for three days. Inside the vehicle, authorities found folded blankets and towels, as well as a significant amount of toilet paper. However, McLaughlin's wallet and keys were missing, and there was a notable odor of smoke in the vehicle, although it was clean of ash or cigarette remnants.

Despite searches conducted by the San Diego Police Department and the Fire Department, no leads have emerged regarding McLaughlin's fate. His case is classified as endangered missing, considering his mental health conditions, which include bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. McLaughlin's disappearance remains unresolved, and the investigation is still active as authorities continue to seek information that might shed light on his whereabouts.

Last Seen: May 29, 2005

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 Diego, California - unidentified case UP13615
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP13615 • Found Jul 4, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Weight 100%138 lb vs 148–180 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP133256
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP133256 • Found Nov 3, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Weight 97%129 lb vs 148–180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
78%Possible
John Doe — Spring Valley, California
UP54392 • Found Aug 19, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%8 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8"–6'0" vs 6'0"–6'1"
77%Possible
John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP122559
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP122559 • Found May 13, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60–65 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 52%5'8" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Weight 100%139 lb vs 148–180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
77%Possible
John Doe — Menifee, California
UP100667 • Found Sep 9, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%68 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Weight 100%151 lb vs 148–180 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
76%Possible
John Doe — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP13324
John Doe — Long Beach, California
UP13324 • Found Sep 6, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 76%95 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Weight 100%187 lb vs 148–180 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP11477 • Found Aug 13, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Weight 0%281 lb vs 148–180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
76%Possible
John Doe — Long Beach, California
UP3051 • Found Dec 3, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 76%Est. 39–49 vs 52
Race 100%White
Location 77%94 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%5'9"–5'11" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Weight 100%180–210 lb vs 148–180 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP3074
John Doe — Long Beach, California
UP3074 • Found Oct 24, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 84%Est. 40–50 vs 52
Race 100%White
Location 77%92 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Weight 100%148 lb vs 148–180 lb
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
75%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP104480 • Found Mar 22, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 73%112 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 68%5'6"–5'9" vs 6'0"–6'1"
Weight 100%180–190 lb vs 148–180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue 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.